We're Not Going Backwards

This week on Friends Like Us we talk with Autumn Rowe, Zainab Johnson, and Erin Jackson about unsafe abortions, children activist and more with host Marina Franklin. Autumn Rowe is on the heels of celebrating her Grammy Award WIN for ‘Best Album’ with Jon Batiste at the 64th Grammy Awards (where she was nominated for four awards)!! Autumn co-wrote five of the album’s 13 tracks—she has received nominations for “Record of the Year” for “Freedom” (a track she also co-produced); “Album of The Year” for WE ARE; “Best Traditional R&B Performance” for “I Need You” and “Best R&B Album” for WE ARE. Additionally, her Diana Ross single “I Still Believe” has recently been remixed by Purple Disco and is burning up the charts!    The legendary songwriter and woman of color has collaborated with some of music’s biggest name such as Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Zendaya, Ava Max, The Knocks, Leona Lewis, Tori Kelly and Kali Uchis! Autumn also wrote the dance anthem behind the 2011 FIFA World Cup “Happiness” featuring Alexis Jordan! Rowe isn’t just a talent songwriter, but also a celebrated vocal coach. She has appeared on season 2 of The X Factor, and as the only vocal coach on America’s Got Talent for five years, between the show’s eight and twelfth seasons. As if all of this wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Rowe is a talented DJ who studied at Scratch Academy.   Her time as an accomplished songwriter has given her a platform to speak as an activist for songwriters. As a Black and Jewish songwriter with a primary focus on the fight against racism and antisemitism, telling BBC Newsbeat in June 2020; "The fact is I am a black person, I can also be a Jewish person, I can also be a woman and a vegan, but no matter what, you can't take away from me that I'm a black person and you cannot take away my experience."   Autumn also serves on the board of SONA (Songwriters of North America) and is an active advocate for music creators.   Zainab Johnson, a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer is quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen. Zainab was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics To Watch in 2019, she hosted one of the host for Netflix's new show "100 Humans", she can be seen as a series regular on Greg Daniels half hour comedy, “Upload”, an Amazon original series. Zainab made her first late night stand up appearance on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers.  Zainab had a breakout appearance on HBO’s All Def Comedy (2017) and has made appearances on NBC’s Last Comic Standing (2014), Arsenio (2014), BET’s Comic View (2014), AXSTV’s Gotham Comedy Live! and just recently starred in a new web series titled Avant-Guardians.  She is a regular at the Improv Comedy Club in LA and the Comedy Cellar in NY.  Zainab has performed in the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival as one of the 2014 New Faces of Comedy and returned numerous times since.  She also had a breakout performance at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2018. Irene Bremis is a Veteran NYC-based stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and radio personality. Irene co-hosted alongside John Fugelsang on his SXM show Tell Me Everything- which featured A-listers and had her own podcast with actress Jennifer Esposito called #suckittt. Irene is currently also co-hosting a podcast with comedian/writer ‘TV’s Frank,’ Frank Conniff (MST3K) called Mother May I Podcast with Frank & Irene- featuring comics, actors, authors, And politicians. She is co-starring in the comedy Black Magic For White Boys and Poundcake on Amazon, Hulu, Tubi, and other streaming platforms. Her short film, Astoria Had A Little Lamb recently opened the LES FILM FESTIVAL. Irene regularly headlines clubs/venues Nationwide. She was a contributing writer for Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack on Tru TV. And appeared in a sketch with Rachel Dratch for The Shorty Awards, also featuring Alec Baldwin & Taylor Swift. Irene’s album Unladylike is available on all platforms and is currently spinning regularly on Sirius XM. She recently taped her debut Comedy Special. She is a fitness instructor and trainer who has worked civilians and celebrities alike.  Always hosted by Marina Franklin - One Hour Comedy Special: Single Black Female ( Amazon Prime, CW Network), TBS's The Last O.G, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Hysterical on FX, The Movie Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, HBO's Crashing, and The Breaks with Michelle Wolf