Race + Diversity

police crime tape
New data shows a 45% increase in the rate of Hispanics killed by law enforcement over the last 10 years. New Mexico had the highest rate per capita, followed by Colorado. The Show spoke about them with Russell Contreras, senior race and justice reporter for Axios.
Jun. 15, 2023
Desert Botanical Garden 1
Prior to the formal holiday on Monday, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is hosting the Juneteenth Evening Festival on June 16 from 6-9 p.m.
Jun. 13, 2023
On this episode of Word, it’s the season-ender! We discuss reading events beyond the upcoming Juneteenth holiday that offer a deeper connection to why it’s celebrated. Plus, a literary convo from Kenya happened while on "vacation," and I returned to the Valley to discuss a debut novel from an ASU professor emerita.
Jun. 11, 2023
baseball on the grass
There were more than 250 internationally-born players on Major League Baseball rosters on Opening Day, representing 19 countries. That means there are a number of different languages spoken in clubhouses and dugouts — from Spanish to English to Japanese.
Jun. 8, 2023
Kelly McWilliams, Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay
The idea of how to teach American history has been very much in the news over the past few years; much of the debate centers on how to talk about some of the more difficult and troubling parts of the country’s past. That idea is a big part of author Kelly McWilliams’ latest young adult novel, called "Your Plantation Prom is Not Okay."
Jun. 5, 2023
Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix
A national study of public parks released Wednesday puts several Valley cities in the bottom third with Gilbert ranking last among the 100 most populous U.S. communities.
May. 23, 2023
On this episode, a Diné writer releases her first novel. Plus, we examine an international true-crime story by a Valley poet-turned sleuth. And, we extend a bow to Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a day at the Kentucky Derby.
May. 16, 2023
A new report by the Anti-Defamation League shows a big uptick in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. and in the state over the last two years.
May. 9, 2023
Principal Lynette Wegner works with a student at Valencia Newcomer School in Phoenix on April 27, 2023.
With a large number of Spanish-speaking students, many Arizona schools teach English as a second language. But at one school in Phoenix, students speak 18 different languages.
More Arizona education news
May. 8, 2023
Coming up on this episode, musician Lizzo is the subject of a new graphic short story series. Plus, a linguist argues for bad language … "Like, literally, dude." And, a rapid-fire play examines the search for love and dignity by single Black females.
May. 2, 2023
palabras bookstore
A new group aimed at helping Native American writers is set to officially launch this weekend. The NDN Girls Book Club will feature workshops for young writers, as well as author talks.
Apr. 21, 2023
National Poetry Month continues on this episode of Word, which also features crime fiction, a novel set in 1940s Harlem, plus a memoir from journalist and NPR's All Things Considered co-host Marie Louise Kelly.
Apr. 16, 2023
KJZZ logo generic card
Arizona is among four states where a national group says its holding training sessions for progressive Latinos who want to run for office or work as a political operative.
Apr. 14, 2023
police crime tape
Hate crimes have gone up across the board in the United States. The rise was the sharpest for Asian American and Pacific Islanders and LGBTQ people.
Apr. 10, 2023
Biruni Hariadi
Country music in the West and poetry reverberate the sounds of spring in this episode of Word, a podcast about literature in Arizona and the region.
Apr. 2, 2023
Route 66 sign along a highway against a desert sunset with mountains in the distance
Route 66 has long been a nostalgic symbol of American opportunity and Western expansion. But for many people of color who made their lives along the historic route, it was a different story.
Mar. 24, 2023
Kevin Robinson and Kesha Hodge Washington
When the two newest members of the Phoenix City Council are sworn in, it’ll mark the first time the body has had two Black members. Kevin Robinson and Kesha Hodge Washington won their run-off elections last week.
Mar. 20, 2023
Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday forbade all state agencies under her control from discriminating against workers based on their hair texture and style. In signing the executive order on Friday, Hobbs said she wants to make sure that Black state employees as well as workers for companies that contract with the state "will be able to wear their natural hair without fear of discrimination."
Mar. 17, 2023
Arizona Capitol building
Two years after banning the use of public funds for so-called “critical race theory,” a Queen Creek Republican lawmaker is now going after programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
Mar. 13, 2023
Katie Hobbs
Arizona won't be banning what has been called critical race theory in public schools. Gov. Katie Hobbs on Thursday vetoed legislation that its sponsor says would preclude schools from teaching what its prime sponsor called "pushing a destructive and racist ideology" in our schools.
Mar. 9, 2023

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