The Legal Lens Podcast

199. Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley on Leading NCNW: Black Women, Faith, and the Fight for Justice

Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode of The Legal Lens, Reverend Shavon Arline-Bradley—President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)—joins host Angela Reddock-Wright to discuss the historic organization’s 90 years of advocacy and direct action for Black women, families, and communities. Dr. Arline-Bradley shares her unique perspective as an ordained minister, public health leader, and former Obama administration official at the Department of Health and Human Services. She explains NCNW’s intergenerational mission, the urgent work of empowering women across industries, and the organization’s rapid response to government shutdowns and layoffs, especially supporting the Black women recently affected by public sector job loss.​

Episode Notes

In this inspiring episode of The Legal Lens, Reverend. Shavon Arline-Bradley—President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)—joins host Angela Reddock-Wright to discuss the historic organization’s 90 years of advocacy and direct action for Black women, families, and communities. Dr. Arline-Bradley shares her unique perspective as an ordained minister, public health leader, and former Obama administration official at the Department of Health and Human Services. She explains NCNW’s intergenerational mission, the urgent work of empowering women across industries, and the organization’s rapid response to government shutdowns and layoffs, especially supporting the Black women recently affected by public sector job loss.​

The conversation delves into the impact of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), health equity, and the pivotal role of faith and Black church leadership amid political and social divides. Dr. Arline-Bradley emphasizes the crucial need for voting rights activism, the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune, Dr. Dorothy Height, and the organization’s newest initiatives—including job fairs, entrepreneurship programs, and public health campaigns. She closes with a message of hope rooted in faith, history, and resilience, urging all listeners to “activate your constitutional right to vote” and unite for justice and opportunity.

Key Topics Covered: 

• Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley’s background in faith leadership, public health, and government service​
• NCNW’s founding under Mary McLeod Bethune, and its evolution into a movement for Black women’s economic, educational, health, and social justice​
• Direct service programs—job fairs for furloughed workers, financial literacy and entrepreneurship (Project RISE), public health awareness (vaccine education), and more​
• The impact of government shutdowns on Black women and families, unemployment, and economic gaps​
• Attacks on DEI and the role of Black women in HR, leadership, and corporate diversity advocacy​
• The Black church’s place in liberation movements, Christian nationalism, and faith-based social action