Editors Note:

On August 11th, 2025, after this episode was produced, a jury in Cleveland returned a not guilty verdict on all counts for Antoine Tolbert , also known as Chairman Fahiem, and two other activists from New Era Cleveland.

Chairman Fahiem, known to some as Antoine Tolbert, is a well-loved figure in parts of Cleveland — but right now, he’s fighting to stay out of prison. As the leader of New Era Cleveland, Fahiem works to empower communities hit hard by gun violence. He and his team are known for patrolling neighborhoods, often armed, hoping their presence can help keep the peace.

City leaders have praised Fahiem’s work, and a major Cleveland foundation recently awarded his group $150,000 to support their violence intervention efforts and train an 11-member Trauma Response Team.

But at the same time, Fahiem is facing serious charges. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has accused him of extortion, claiming he threatened a local convenience store owner and asked him to pay for “protection.” Fahiem strongly denies the allegation and speaks out about it on the podcast, sharing his side of the story and promising to keep leading his organization — even as he *faces the possibility of 15 to 20 years behind bars. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office declined an invitation to share their perspective on the court case. A spokesperson said they do not comment on current cases and their indictment of Fahiem is their statement.

We’ll also hear from a Cleveland State University student and a Newburgh Heights high schooler about how gun violence casts a constant shadow over teens' lives, whether they’re in the classroom or simply trying to enjoy themselves.

View our full list of resources here.

Have you or someone you know been impacted by gun violence? Or do you have any thoughts about what was shared in today’s episode? Share your story for a chance to be featured on the show!

S2E6: Feared and Revered