Political philosopher and democracy scholar Danielle Allen joins Rooted to discuss whether ballot initiatives are one of the most effective tools for political change, particularly for Black communities seeking greater influence over public policy. Host Paris Alston explores the role of direct democracy in advancing voting rights, criminal justice reform, and civic engagement while examining the financial barriers, organizational challenges, and election rules that shape ballot campaigns in Massachusetts. Allen also shares how she tapped her own retirement savings to help launch a statewide initiative, highlighting the difficulties grassroots movements face in competing with well-funded interests. As debates over voter participation, election reform, and political representation continue, the conversation asks whether Americans can use direct democracy to drive change when traditional political systems fall short.

Can AI help fill church pews without replacing the people in them? Paris Alston talks with Rev. Chris Hope about his new app “100 Days,” an AI-powered tool designed to support new Christians during the critical first months of their faith journey. This episode explore the tensions between innovation and tradition, trust and skepticism, and whether AI can help religious institutions engage a generation that increasingly lives online while still preserving the value of community.

In this episode created by GBH News interns, Ava Francin and Autumn Greene, Rooted explores the psychology of the BBL. Host, Paris Alston discusses the obsession with the butt and why the hourglass figure distinguishes desirability amongst Black women and the effects of an idealized body image in the Black community with Dr. Salomé Wilfred.

Part 2 of Chains to Change follows the fight for freedom through the experiences of Black Bostonians who served their country, built strong communities, and challenged the barriers that stood in the way of equality. From historic neighborhoods to enduring landmarks, their stories reveal how generations of residents shaped Boston's civic, cultural, and political landscape while pushing the nation to live up to its founding ideals. Stay until the end for a conversation with Reverend Chris Hope, Executive Director of The Loop Lab, who shares behind-the-scenes insights into the research, storytelling, and community connections that helped bring these histories to light.

Produced by The Loop Lab and hosted by GBH News Rooted, Chains to Change uncovers the stories that often get left out of Boston's revolutionary narrative. As America marks 250 years since independence, the struggle for freedom is traced through the lives of Black Bostonians who fought on the battlefield, built thriving communities, challenged inequality, and pushed the nation closer to its ideals. The journey moves through iconic landmarks, where monuments, neighborhoods, and historic sites illuminate generations of activism, resilience, and community building. Together, they tell a fuller story of Boston, one where freedom has always been contested, expanded, and reimagined by those determined to make the promises of America real.

For decades, Black men have been treated as one voting bloc—but the reality is far more complex. This week on Rooted, Tyree Rush sits down with Michael Bland, executive director of Black Men Vote, to unpack new research challenging some of the biggest assumptions about Black male voters. Together, they explore political independence, economic priorities, representation, voter engagement, and why so many Black men feel misunderstood by both political parties. As the 2026 midterms approach and the road to 2028 begins, this conversation asks a bigger question: Are we finally listening to Black men—or are we still getting the story wrong?

Award-winning composer and vocalist Candice Hoyes joins Paris Alston to explore how Black artists can preserve, reclaim, and honor their musical legacy. From the story of “Hound Dog” and Big Mama Thornton to modern debates about sampling, cover songs, copyright, and Beyoncé’s spotlight on overlooked Black pioneers, Hoyes examines the difference between paying tribute and commodifying culture. The conversation also dives into her album Expecting, the enduring influence of Minnie Riperton and Charles Stepney, and why intentional remembrance is essential to protecting Black music’s history and future.

Despite major advances in HIV prevention, Black women remain disproportionately affected and often overlooked in conversations about PrEP. In this episode of Rooted, researcher Dr. Whitney Irie explains why risk is shaped less by behavior and more by social networks, access, and systemic inequities. The conversation explores stigma, gaps in provider awareness, and why many women are never told PrEP is an option. From policy to culture, the barriers are complex and urgent. So what would it take to close the gap?GBH News wants to hear from YOU! We are conducting our annual audience survey 📝 https://bit.ly/3ZQXSQr. This will help us understand your interests and what you want to see more of from us. It only takes a few minutes, and we are grateful for your input. 🙌Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow Rooted on InstagramListen to Rooted on SpotifyFollow Rooted on ThreadsFollow Rooted on TikTokSubscribe to the Rooted newsletter Support GBH and help shape a future where facts matter, stories unite us, and everyone has access to quality media. Join us. Fund the Future: https://bit.ly/FundtheFutureYT

Alexsis Rodgers explains how the Black Census Project is helping Black communities turn their experiences into real policy change. Instead of just counting people, it asks what they actually want, like better wages, safer communities, and improved health. The goal is to reach 300,000 voices and build a shared vision for the future. At a time of low trust in institutions, this project is all about putting power back in people’s hands.Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow Rooted on InstagramListen to Rooted on SpotifyFollow Rooted on ThreadsFollow Rooted on TikTokSubscribe to the Rooted newsletter Support GBH and help shape a future where facts matter, stories unite us, and everyone has access to quality media. Join us. Fund the Future: https://bit.ly/FundtheFutureYT

Political activist Ajamu Baraka and the Black Alliance for peace is calling for a boycott of the U.S.-hosted World Cup arguing the tournament is helping “normalize” global human rights abuses. He accuses FIFA of double standards and warns the games are being used as “sportswashing.” Despite that, he tells fans to enjoy the matches—but stay politically aware. So can you love the game and still challenge the system? Or is watching part of the problem?

In an exclusive sit down with Rooted, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley breaks down the Democratic Party’s 2024 election autopsy and what it reveals about shifting Black voter support, economic frustration, and messaging failures. She challenges the idea that identity politics is to blame, arguing that issues like reproductive rights and racial equity are fundamentally economic, while highlighting voter turnout gaps, misinformation, and growing distrust within the party’s base. The conversation also explores the political impact of the Gaza crisis, Supreme Court decisions, and calls for court reform and eliminating dark money—raising urgent questions about whether Democrats can reconnect with voters and deliver meaningful change.Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow Rooted on InstagramListen to Rooted on SpotifyFollow Rooted on ThreadsFollow Rooted on TikTokSubscribe to the Rooted newsletter Support GBH and help shape a future where facts matter, stories unite us, and everyone has access to quality media. Join us. Fund the Future: https://bit.ly/FundtheFutureYT

A lineage rooted in soil stretches from ancestral farmland to modern city plots, where Black women are reclaiming their role as stewards, healers, and innovators. Generations of knowledge—once carried in seeds and sustained through resilience—now face the weight of historic land loss and systemic barriers to access. Yet across communities, a new movement is taking hold, blending tradition with policy, grassroots action with economic ambition—from community gardens to land trusts, and from micro plots to broader reform.GBH News Rooted’s Paris Alston talks to Leah Penniman, the co-director and co-founder of Soul Fire Farm in New York, Nataka Crayton, co-creator of the Urban Farming Institute of Boston, and Savi Horne, executive director of the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, to explore the challenges and possibilities shaping this return to the land.Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow Rooted on InstagramListen to Rooted on SpotifyFollow Rooted on ThreadsFollow Rooted on TikTokSubscribe to the Rooted newsletter Support GBH and help shape a future where facts matter, stories unite us, and everyone has access to quality media. Join us. Fund the Future: https://bit.ly/FundtheFutureYT