“When you think about an individual, an icon like Martin Luther King and all of the amazing work that he did, you don’t often think about, but you also have to recognize there is no income in activism”
-Aloe Blacc

In this compelling interview on The Last Mile Radio, Aloe Blacc discusses his journey as an artivist and his dedication to making a positive impact. He shares eye-opening stories about his work with the Community Coalition of South LA, fighting against liquor store density, food deserts, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Blacc also delves into his involvement with the First Step Act, a prison reform bill, and his powerful song “Free,” which highlights the voices of formerly incarcerated individuals. The conversation takes an informative turn as Blacc breaks down the complexities of qualified immunity and the urgent need for police accountability. He emphasizes the importance of jobs and meaningful employment in breaking the cycle of incarceration and recidivism. Throughout the interview, Blacc’s passion for using his platform to raise awareness and inspire change is palpable. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, activism, and criminal justice reform, as it offers valuable insights and inspiration from one of the most influential artivists of our time.

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction of Aloe Blacc on The Last Mile Radio
(00:01:07) Background as an artivist and using his voice for change
(00:03:23) Collaboration with Pharrell Williams on the song “Love is the Answer”
(00:04:22) The impact of N.W.A. and other hip hop artists
(00:05:56) Work with the Community Coalition of South LA
(00:09:46) The school-to-prison pipeline and the willful defiance ordinance in LA schools
(00:12:07)Tribute to Harry Belafonte at Sing Sing prison
(00:14:57) The First Step Act and highlighting formerly incarcerated individuals
(00:18:13) Learning about qualified immunity and police accountability
(00:22:14) Current focus on transforming community-police relations
(00:26:02) Work with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Breakthrough
(00:28:14) The importance of awareness from the music community for criminal justice reform
(00:31:51) The role of jobs and meaningful employment in reducing recidivism
(00:34:08) The need for Fortune 500 companies to engage in fair chance hiring
(00:35:15) The untapped potential and drive of formerly incarcerated individuals