Shelley’s Plumbline
In construction, a plumbline is a weight suspended from a string used as a tool to find the true reference line. A plumbline will always find the vertical axis pointing to the center of gravity, ensuring everything is right, justified, and centered. Pulling from a library of more than 3,000 shows from his storied career in broadcasting, Shelley's Plumbline leads us in a search for the truth, opening the channels of communication and understanding on tough social topics that are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. Join us as we explore the past, compare it to today, and craft a be...
Racism Today (Rebroadcast)
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Today, we (re)present the most downloaded Plumbline episode of 2025, titled "Racism Today."
In this episode, Shelley, Mark, and Ricky Jones launch into a powerful discussion on the enduring struggle against racism, arguing that while overt segregation is gone, it has transformed, with terms like DEI serving as "code words" for veiled racist policies. They explore the historical context of white supremacy, citing Abraham Lincoln's views on racial inequality, and stress the urgent need for continued, honest conversation about justice. The episode also covers modern dangers to society like...
Resilience, Representation, and the Reality of Black Academia
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This episode of Shelley's Plumbline celebrates the return of Dr. Shelley Stewart to the podcast team!
The discussion centers on the systemic challenges facing black academics and educators, including the mental health toll of targeted media attacks, the lack of representation in higher education (where black professors constitute only 5% of the faculty), and the exclusion of black voices from mainstream media platforms.
The hosts also touch upon conflicts involving high-profile media figures, critique narratives surrounding black tenure-track faculty, and reflect on historical events to contextualize the ongoing struggle for vi...
Education, Power, and the Fight for Truth
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In this episode, we move beyond the headlines to examine the systemic pressures facing higher education—from the dismantling of DEI initiatives to the political influence on university leadership.
We explore the roots of current political polarization, analyze the impact of populist movements on our national discourse, and discuss why critical thinking is under attack. If you’re looking for a substantive, intellectual look at race, power, and the state of American morality, this conversation is for you. We don’t shy away from the hard questions; we pursue the truth that l...
Erasing Black History in the Military
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In this episode, Mark and Ricky pull back the curtain on the hypocrisy within military leadership, discussing the targeted removal of Black historical figures from institutions and the exclusionary rhetoric permeating the Pentagon.
Through the lens of Clint Smith’s The Atlantic piece, "The Betrayal of America’s Black Patriots," they analyze the complex legacy of figures like Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. and the persistent "unrequited love" Black Americans have shown a country that often fails to return it.
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REBROADCAST: A meeting with a Grand Knight of the KKK, A Minister of the Nation of Islam and the Executive Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews
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In 1993, Shelley hosted the Shelley Stewart Show, Survival in the 90s. It was a talk show on television that ran for 13 episodes. Today, we feature the audio from an extraordinary episode that featured a conversation with three very different people on the same stage.
The discussion featured Lamarse Washington, Executive Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, William Muhammad, Minister of Nation of Islam and on the other end of the spectrum, William Burchfield, Grand Titan of Alabama for the Knights of...
Is Education Running Scared?
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In today's episode, Ricky highlights the erosion of intellectual freedom in Alabama, citing issues at Auburn University and the University of Alabama regarding the dismantling of faculty senates and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They argue that university leadership is either cowed by the threat of losing state funding or ideologically aligned with white supremacist efforts to limit diversity and critical thinking.
They challenge the myth that universities are inherently progressive spaces, noting that many never truly committed to integration in the first place.
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<...Crispus Attucks and the Real Meaning of Independence
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In this episode of "Shelley's Plumline," hosts Mark Jamroz and Dr. Ricky Jones explore the foundational contradictions of American history, using Frederick Douglass’s critique of Independence Day as a starting point.
We analyze the systematic erasure of figures like Crispus Attucks from public memory and discuss how lingering ideologies from the Civil War era continue to influence modern society.
The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to engage in independent research to critically examine these historical narratives and their ongoing impact on American democracy.
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Shelley's Father's Day Message from 1996
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Today, we continue in the theme of fathers as we rebroadcast a show we released on near his birthday, September 27, 2023. It features a recording of a speech Shelley made on Father's Day when he was 63 years old at Friendship Baptist Church.
This Church plays a special role in Shelley's life. As a boy of five, he saw his mother murdered just a few blocks away. In spite of growing up without his parents, he would celebrate his graduation in this same Church.
Without a doubt, the Friendship B...
You Don't Have to Be a Father to Be a Father
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You don't have to be a dad to be a father. Mentor a child. Set a good example. Teach our youth the right direction. Happy Father's Day.
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Education Lifts All Ships (Rebroadcast)
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Shelley's Plumbline is on a short summer break. In the meantime, Shelley asked that we rebroadcast some of our most popular episodes on the importance of education.
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The Rapid Decline of Education in America
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In this week's podcast, Dr. Ricky Jones calls out modern efforts to roll back Civil Rights gains. The discussion highlights the systematic underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the use of anti-affirmative action and anti-DEI movements to restrict Black student access and support at predominantly white institutions.
We discuss how the real value of education is not economic profit, but rather its power to create critically thinking individuals who are capable of examining and challenging the society in which they live.
The segment concludes with a co...
What Have We Done Wrong?
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This episode of Shelley's Plumbline explores the question of what we, as Black men and a people, have done wrong in the ongoing struggle for equality?
Stewart frames this introspection with painful memories of childhood segregation and being told he was "wrong" simply because of his color. Dr. Jones refines the query into two parts: "What is wrong with blackness" that the country treats Black people the way it does, and what tactical mistakes have been made in addressing these issues, such as the push for integration or traditional politics.
...
Shelley Shares Stories About the AG Gaston Motel
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War. What is it Good for?
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This week on Shelley's Plumbline, we look into the true meaning of war, questioning the moral center of American conflicts, and suggesting that the biggest challenge today is simply survival in America.
The discussion exposes America's "masterful lie" of liberty and justice for all, highlighting the historical and ongoing racial injustice faced by Black veterans returning from conflicts.
The speakers assert that white supremacy has created a generation unaware that America is currently losing a race war. Listen as the hosts warn that the failure of leaders to confront th...
Interview with Music Writer Candis Bonner, Pt 2
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In this week's podcast, we continue our interview featuring Candis Bonner, a top writer for the major magazine Black Radio Exclusive.
We focus on the history and evolution of the Black radio industry. Bonner explains that Black radio was not homogeneous across the US, and her publication was often ahead of the curve in predicting music trends because it was dedicated to the industry when general trades neglected it.
We discuss the historical power of influential local Black radio personalities, who could previously mobilize thousands of people for community a...
An Interview with Music Writer Candis Bonner (Part 1)
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This week's podcast features guest Candis Bonner, who shares a conversation about lifelong friendship and the evolution of Black media.
Friendship Loss and Reunion
We discuss the pain of losing friends and the rarity of true friendship. Shelley recounts the emotional reunion with his lifelong friend, Jimmy, after 10 years of separation following his homelessness at age 7.
Black Radio Industry History
Candis Bonner, Jimmy’s daughter, shares stories of her career path from Michigan State to a top writer for Black Radio Ex...
Has Civil Rights Lost Its Bite?
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This week's episode of Shelley's Plumbline explores the opposition to Human Rights progress, including the anti-DEI movement and the inaction of the Black bourgeoisie, prompting a call for a desperate resurgence of the movement for freedom.
Shelley and Ricky emphasize the crucial role of education, advocating for widespread reading and critical thinking as a necessary exercise to counter the shallowness of social media content.
Shelley recounts a striking personal story about openly engaging with members of the Ku Klux Klan in their hometown.
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Has the Role of Black Churches Changed?
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This week Shelley's Plumbline covers a debate on the Black Church's role in community unity and institutional strength, questioning if its historical influence on the community and youth still remains strong today.
Shelley shares his concern about whether Black institutions like the church that once helped navigate racial struggles have weakened in that role.
The discussion then addresses the ongoing fight for equality, emphasizing that awareness and responsibility are needed to address current racial conditions.
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Which Golden Rule Do You Follow?
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The week's discussion centers on the pursuit of power, with Ricky and Shelley questioning the sustainability of the integration model and discussing the need for new political approaches, including "voluntary separation."
We pay tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, remembering his dedication to "Education, hope, and the continuous fight for equality and power.
Finally, we offer a critique of "late-stage capitalism" in America, which Ricky Jones argues is causing the economic collapse of institutions due to concentrated capital and systemic exploitation.
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Shelley's Back
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In this episode, we dive into the pivotal moments that shaped our world—from the blackouts and segregation of the 1940s and post-war era, to the political earthquakes of Maynard Jackson’s and Coleman Young’s mayoral elections in Atlanta and Detroit. We compare the struggles for equality faced by figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson with the modern-day battles for DEI, ultimately asking: Is the core struggle still simply the fight for power and against "anti-blackness" in a system of "late-stage capitalism"?
Let's get started.
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Erasing History
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This episode concludes a four-part series on Dr. Carter G. Woodson and centers on the loss of the Black Old Guard, specifically honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson. A key point of discussion was the denial of Reverend Jackson lying in honor at the state capital, which the hosts connected to a broader historical erasure and ongoing attacks on education and historical acknowledgment.
The hosts emphasized that confronting and learning from painful history, citing the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Moment, is crucial for future progress. Finally, the conversation critiqued the negative impact of c...
Woodson's Challenge: Should Funding Dollars Make Decisions?
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This week's episode continues our Black History Month series on Dr. Carter G. Woodson, whose rejection of the NAACP begs the question: Does the influence of funding to Black movements trigger the need for a "leadership audit" within Black organizations?
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Carter G. Woodson and the Challenges of Black Leadership
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This week's episode continues the focus on the life and ideology of Dr. Carter G. Woodson as part of a four-part Black History Month series. We open by marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Negro History Week and re-ask Woodson’s provocative question from the 1940s: "Do we deserve to celebrate right now?" Woodson opined that celebration was unwarranted if Black people had not studied their history and contemporary situation to better understand what is really happening today.
Ricky discusses the historical necessity an...
Have You Earned the Right to Celebrate BHM?
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In this special Black History Month episode of Shelley's Plumbline, executive producer Mark Jamroz and host Dr. Ricky Jones—son of the Radio Hall of Famer Shelley Stewart—share a conversation on Carter G. Woodson and the origins of Black History Month.
The core of the conversation focuses on the legacy of Carter G. Woodson and the founding of Negro History Week, with Jones detailing Woodson's academic journey and his concerns about the miseducation of Black people.
The episode ultimately challenges listeners to do the...
Dr. Ricky Jones' MLK Speech: Holding a Mirror of Truth to America's Face
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Some Truths About Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks (Rebroadcast)
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We join the nation in mourning the loss of civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin, who passed away on January 13, 2026, at the age of 86. In her honor, we are rebroadcasting this interview with her sister, Gloria Laster, originally broadcast on December 2, 2025.
The discussion centers on the overlooked role of Colvin, the 15-year-old arrested nine months before Rosa Parks for the same act of defiance.
Laster recounts how Colvin was a plaintiff in the successful Browder v. Gale Supreme Court case that desegregated transportation but was intentionally excluded from t...
A Review of Our Favorite Plumblines of 2025
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Join Shelley's Plumbline for this powerful year-end recap, reflecting on the most impactful conversations of 2025, a year marked by the addition of co-host Dr. Ricky Jones.
Jones’s arrival brought a new voice of depth and truth that resonated profoundly with listeners. The year’s second most downloaded episode, "Finding My Father," featured the emotional and deeply personal story that revealed Dr. Shelley Stewart is the father of Dr. Ricky Jones, a testament to the podcast's commitment to honesty and personal connection.
The discussions this year consistently moved...
Racism Today (Rebroadcast)
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Hello, Plumbliners!
Shelley, Mark and Ricky are going to take a break going into the holiday season. So today, we (re)present the most downloaded Plumbline episode of 2025, titled "Racism Today."
In this episode, Shelley, Mark and Ricky Jones launch into a powerful discussion on the enduring struggle against racism, arguing that while overt segregation is gone, it has transformed, with terms like DEI serving as "code words" for veiled racist policies. They explore the historical context of white supremacy, citing Abraham Lincoln's views on racial inequality...
Whatever Happened to Rosa Parks?
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Today, Shelley and Ricky focus their discussion on the ongoing disregard for both Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks after the bus boycott, noting Parks' financial struggles and the general minimization of women's contributions by male movement leaders.
Shelley and Ricky share a broader contemporary critique, lamenting the societal decline in critical thinking and sacrifice, and analyzing how modern oppressive systems have adapted to be less overt but more dangerous. The Plumbline concludes by encouraging listeners to reflect on the history of Colvin and Parks to assess the current status of the B...
Some Truths About Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks
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This episode of Shelley's Plumline, explores the 70th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott with special guest Gloria Laster, the older sister of Claudette Colvin. The discussion centers on the overlooked role of Colvin, the 15-year-old arrested nine months before Rosa Parks for the same act of defiance.
Laster recounts how Colvin was a plaintiff in the successful Browder v. Gale Supreme Court case that desegregated transportation but was intentionally excluded from the movement's public narrative.
The conversation details the factors that led organizers, including the NAACP, to choose R...
Shelley's Role in The Children's March
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In this episode, Shelley and Ricky discuss the key role that Shelley played in the Children's March. The scene is Birmingham, Alabama, April and May of 1963.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s advisors had deliberately chosen the city to confront the notoriously violent Police Commissioner, Bull Connor. Shelley recounts advising King to leave the pulpit and engage directly with the people on the street, which helped build community support. The planning for the march was highly secretive, with Shelley devising a strategy to communicate with children across schools, by playing Joe Turner’s re...
Shelley's Encounters with the KKK
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In this episode, Shelley recounts his conflicts with the Ku Klux Klan in Birmingham in the 1950s, intensified by his refusal to adhere to segregated customs in local stores. Shelley reveals that many Klan members were police officers and local business owners. His activism escalated on his WEDR radio show, where he publicly discussed the segregated city, education, and incidents of violence and bombing that major white papers omitted. This defiance resulted in death threats from the Klan and pressure on the station owner. Encounters included the KKK painting graffiti on the radio...
Shelley's Early Days in Radio
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Shelley "The Playboy" Enters the Radio Hall of Fame
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If We Knew Better, Part 2
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If We Knew Better, Part 1
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Miseducation Continues
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Racism Today
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Hosea Revisited
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Shelley's 91st Birthday
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