Robert Samuels

Angela Harrelson, George Floyd's aunt, shares heartfelt stories about the family's history with racism and poverty in the Jim Crow South. Travis Cain, a childhood friend, reminisces about growing up with Floyd in CUNY Homes, reflecting on their shared challenges and Floyd’s vibrant personality. Reporter Robert Samuels delves into Floyd's move to Minneapolis and his quest for a better life. Together, they paint a rich portrait of George Floyd, exploring his humanity, struggles, and the systemic issues affecting Black communities.

In this insightful discussion, Robert Samuels, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and co-author of "His Name Is George Floyd," delves into the life of George Floyd and the systemic issues surrounding race and justice. He emphasizes the importance of restoring Floyd's humanity through storytelling, backed by over 400 interviews. Robert shares poignant insights on Floyd's family history, the impact of incarceration, and the chronic stress caused by systemic racism. The conversation reveals the need for compassion in journalism while urging listeners to recognize and challenge harmful systems.

Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post reporter who co-reported on D.C. truancy and policy, and Robert Samuels, Washington Post reporter focused on education and crime, discuss rising truancy and youth disorder in D.C. They trace trends before and after COVID. They examine data gaps, why kids skip school, after-school program effects, enforcement vs services, and policy moves to reroute truancy reports.

Lauren Lumpkin and Robert Samuels, reporters from the Washington Post, dive into the alarming connection between student truancy and youth crime in D.C. They reveal shocking statistics, including 18,000 uninvestigated truancy reports. The duo discusses the longstanding failures in addressing absenteeism and how unmet policy commitments have worsened the situation post-COVID. They explore reasons behind truancy, such as family needs and mental health issues, and spotlight successful after-school programs that help reduce absenteeism. It's a crucial discussion on policy and community impact.

Join Robert Samuels, a national political enterprise reporter for The Washington Post and co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography on George Floyd, along with Clyde McGrady, a national correspondent covering race for The New York Times. They delve into the transformative impact of Floyd's death five years ago, discussing protests, the enduring backlash against racial progress, and current challenges in systemic racism. Together, they reflect on the legacy of George Floyd and the necessary continued quest for racial justice in America.