As part of our labor series that stretches from Pittsburgh to Chicago through Cleveland, Detroit, and Benton Harbor... I met with labor journalist Mike elk in his hometown of Pittsburgh.&nbsp; Mike is founder of Paydayreport.com, which is a labor publication based in Pittsburgh, that is elevating a national conversation about workers. In part 1, Mike talks about Pittsburgh labor history as we visit the sites of the 1892 Battle of Homestead, the Henry K. Frick Car Museum, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Battle of Homestead Strike with labor reporter Mike Elk

“When it came time to figure out what I wanted to do, I really wanted to report on worker struggles, which isn’t that easy to do in this country, apparently.” In Part 2, we sit down with Mike Elk, famed labor reporter and founder of Payday Report, as he discusses his experience with unions and labor reporting and the future of labor organizing. Music by Pete Seeger - Homestead Strike Song You can learn more about Mike’s work at www.paydayreport.com Watch Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPA8tYSkmaY&amp;t=1s

Labor Journalist Mike Elk of Payday Report Discusses the State of Labor - Part 2

Reverend Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan and the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO), struggles against the takeover of this Western Michigan community. In this 8 part series, Pinkney's fight magnifies the eternal struggle between labor, capital, race, and political economy. To learn more about Reverend Pinkney and his organization, visit: https://www.bhbanco.org This episode highlights... -The history of Whirlpool -African American unsolved murders -Class and racial divide in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph -Benton Harbor riots -Governor Granholm’s sellout

Hero Americana: Part 1 - Benton Harbor, Michigan - Whirlpool Company Town

This episode highlights... -Kate Upton and the Whirlpool Upton family -Michigan Governor Snyder&nbsp; -Anti-union, anti democracy, pro austerity Emergency Financial Manager laws -MI State Rep. Al Pscholka&nbsp; -Land grab of Jean Klock park and public beaches

Hero Americana: Part 3 - Pro Austerity Emergency Financial Managers Destroy Democracy

“We’ve allowed these corporations to take over and we’re suffering. In the city of Benton Harbor, the water bill tripled. Unemployment, I’m talking 70% of the people unemployed. 90% live below the poverty level.” &nbsp; Part 2 highlights... -Reverend Pinkney origin story and BANCO -Benton Harbor deindustrialized by runaway shop policies -Congressman Fred Upton and the Whirlpool Upton family -St. Joseph Harbor Shores Land Speculation and Black Removal -Police killing of African American men

Hero Americana: Part 2 - Reverend Pinkney & the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO)

This episode highlights... -Forensics of Emergency Managers&nbsp; -BH Mayor James Hightower recall -Reverend Pinkney leads BANCO and BH to fight back

Hero Americana: Part 4 - Fight Back!

This episode highlights... -Life in prison -Human right violations of prisoners -Mentoring prison youth -Keeping hope alive

Hero Americana: Part 6 - Political Prisoner

This episode highlights... -SWAT team sent to Pinkney’s house -Trial of Reverend Pinkney&nbsp; -Mayor Hightower loses to Marcus Muhammad &nbsp;

Hero Americana: Part 5 - Reactionaries Circle the Wagons

This episode highlights... -Organizational support is key to maintaining social movements -Appealing conviction with Michigan supreme court -Pinkney vindicated

Hero Americana: Part 7 - Vindication

This episode highlights... -Occupy the PGA -Jean Klock Park -Activism is about service

Hero Americana: Part 8 - Keep on Fighting

E M L explores Labor, History, Philosophy, Politics, Power, Political Economy Arts and Culture.

Based within the Washington, D.C. beltway, Empathy Media Lab is a production house, an artist studio, and an event space. 

The goal is to universalize the human condition to increase solidarity and outline public policies that can solve the most intractable challenges of today, and motivate and organize collective action to achieve a more progressive future.