#72- Make The Black Community Great Again, feat. Rick Martin

In this captivating episode of The Black Lotus Podcast, Josiah engages in an illuminating conversation with Rick Martin, a proud Southside Chicagoan and the ambitious Co-founder of Brokenmp3s – a vibrant music/art collective and record label. The mission of Brokenmp3s is to redefine how we think about and listen to music.

To begin the episode we discussed Reverend Thomas Martin, the legendary Chicago Pastor, and Rick's grandfather. Reverend Martin was one of the first black people to live in the Greshamn neighborhood in Chicago, and this bold attitude towards change was passed down through generations. As we moved on, we discussed the Harlem Renaissance and how the 2020s will be looked at as a Renaissance for the community as a whole. We then talked about the impact of Kevin Samuels on the Black Community and what his message inspired within Black dating conversations.

Continuing the conversation, we talked about the lack of Black male teachers within K-12 education and how this adds to the absence of role models that has hurt black men for decades. As we closed the conversation we discussed Brokenmp3s and the vision Rick has for Making The Black Community Great Again through the lens of music and art. This episode was as real as it gets from The Black Lotus Podcast, you guys are in for a banger. And as we always say, as long as y'all show love, we'll stay consistent!

Intro - 0:00

When did you start getting into music? - 2:49

Chicago getting a bad rap - 4:40

Reverend Thomas Martin, Rick’s Grandfather - 7:15

The 2020s will be looked at as the second Renaissance in Black America - 14:15

The Impact of Covid on our Lives - 22:40

Learning through Youtube - 28:50

Kevin Samuels and his Influence on The Black Community - 32:30

Lack of Role Models in Black America - 45:32

The Importance of Black Male Teachers - 50:00

The Perceived Inferiority of Black Education - 58:12

Racism is perpetuated by the white people in the suit and ties, not just the hillbillies - 1:04:30

Rick’s Favorite Books - 1:06:40

“Black people owned 10 times more businesses during Jim Crow than today” - 1:15:17

What does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mean if you can’t be yourself? - 1:29:10

How HBCUs create community amongst Black people - 1:32:50

Ancient Egypt - 1:35:40

The Philosophy of Brokenmp3s - 1:42:19