Rodney Deas, widely known as “The Real Radio Rahim,” is a dedicated educator, activist, and cultural pioneer. He has over 45 years of experience in business, entertainment, and community organizing, making a lasting impact across multiple industries. As the Director and Founder of the Paul Robeson Freedom School, Mr. Deas has been instrumental in providing independent, community-controlled education for over a decade, impacting the lives of more than 300 students and raising over $100,000 in support.

A key figure in hip-hop’s early days, Mr. Deas promoted concerts, managed artists and helped develop the Fresh Fest Tour, partnering with industry giants like Russell Simmons, Public Enemy, Whodini, and Doug E. Fresh. His international event promotions raised over $10 million, shaping the genre’s commercial success.

Beyond entertainment, Mr. Deas has been deeply involved in activism. He participated in Occupy Wall Street, co-founded The Freedom Party, and led initiatives like the Detroit Water Brigade, which raised over $100,000 to assist struggling homeowners with their water bills. His work with Avalon Village has helped raise over $1 million to revitalize Detroit’s Highland Park community. 

So, to chop it up with a Brother who displays their understanding of the philosophy of ‘For the Babies’ via their overstanding of the practice of being intentionally avoidant of the temptations and trappings that accompany apparent success, in a culture whose chosen leadership base their value as beings on their individual ability to conspicuously consume…

…Is fuckin’ refreshing and an honor.

Today, Christopher Standbach, Video Producer, political historian, and entrepreneur from the great state of Tennessee, reintroduced me to one of the founders of the present season of Freedom Schools. And while I bounced around like Max from Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. I spit out the idea. “Hey! Let’s send a bunch of the babies, their grown-ups, and some people who are about to become aware of their level of political affluence, along with A Box of Kittens, to The Hip Hop Museum in the Boogie Down Bronx to meet Detroit Architect Michael Ford to talk about Collaborative Community Design.

My prayer is that this is the beginning of a long, beautiful conversation that we get to share with you.