The Time is Now: The Influences that Led to the Launch of the “The Black Dispatch” with Dr. Kirk Harris and Hubert Morgan
Cornel West
“Justice is what love looks like in public.”
Dr. Kirk Harris and Hubert Morgan are two progressive urban planners who came together to create “The Black Dispatch” and initiate conversations centered on Black communities that need to be discussed.
Growing up in the 1960s during the urban unrest of New Jersey, it was a pivotal point in Harris’ life because he became aware of the injustices Black communities face. His personal experiences witnessing injustice influenced him to pursue a career in law. However, after becoming a lawyer, he realized his career was unfulfilling in achieving his goal: justice for Black people and communities. Harris recognized he was working in an inequitable, American system which restricted his ability to transform the system. Because of this, Harris pivoted his career and became an urban planner to have a more active role in transforming systems and communities.
On the other hand, Morgan who was born and raised in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States, has been an urban planner his entire life. Morgan came from what he considered a privileged background. However, upon immigrating, Morgan immediately saw how his privilege in Jamaica was left behind, and the color of his skin governed his life experiences in America.
These personal and professional experiences inspired Harris and Morgan to create “The Black Dispatch.” Their goals for this podcast are to facilitate conversations that will challenge stakeholders and leaders, keep them accountable, and develop better planning strategies for Black communities. For the first season of “The Black Dispatch,” Harris and Morgan interviewed educators and members of the Illinois Black Caucus to discuss how they are addressing inequities affecting Black communities in Illinois.
Ultimately, the core value of “The Black Dispatch” is to understand history and use it as a guide on how to progress towards a future that will liberate and uplift voices in Black communities.