BONUS: Ordinary Equality — The End of Roe v. Wade | The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast

Bonus from The Amendment: Keeping Democracy Intact with Nikole Hannah-Jones: We’re bringing you an episode of a new podcast we think you’ll love: The Amendment. A new podcast about gender, politics, and power from The 19th News and Wonder Media Network, The Amendment is hosted by award-winning journalist and 19th editor-at-large Errin Haines. Each week, Errin sits down with people who have fresh perspectives on the state of our country – and asks questions that center the voices of women, queer folks, and people of color. The Amendment adds much needed asterisks to America’s most pressing political conversations – and gets clear on the unfinished work of our democracy. In this episode, we hear from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones on what role the free press should play in ensuring the survival of our democracy. Nikole Hannah-Jones is the creator of the 1619 Project, Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at Howard University, and a leading voice on the vital role by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

36 min listen

A Conversation with ActBlue’s Tamara Wilds Lawson: The midterms were a turning point in the political season, all thanks to voters like you turning out to the polls. In today’s bonus episode, A’shanti sits down with Tamara Wilds Lawson, the Movement, Issue, and Charitable Organizations (MICO) Director at ActBlue. They discuss the midterms, grassroots momentum, and the issues that get people out to vote. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

15 min listen

Uplifting the Black Vote with LaTosha Brown: It’s election day: the time to exercise our constitutional right to vote. While it should be simple to cast a ballot, it's often not. And that’s not by accident. The Black vote has never truly been protected, and many states are passing new legislation to actively suppress Black votes. In BGG’s Season 9 finale, A’shanti welcomes back previous guest LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. Together, they lay out the various forces at play in our country that contribute to voter suppression, and discuss why building political power and embracing community is so vital when it comes to turning the political tides. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

38 min listen

America’s Inescapable Racial Violence Problem: Though many view it as an ugly relic of the past, violence against Black and brown folks is still a massive problem in the United States. A’shanti brings on Melanie Campbell, the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, to talk about the racial violence epidemic in our country. Much of Melanie’s work centers civil rights and social justice with a focus on building Black political power. They discuss the opportunity that the upcoming midterms present to vote in leaders who are vocal about ending the cycles of violence impacting our communities, and why police reform is so needed. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

44 min listen

Investing in the Future through Education: Not only is the classroom the gateway to education, it’s also the first place we learn about ourselves. Growing up, so many Black and brown kids learn not just about math and science, but about racism, microaggressions, and the world through the biases kids – and teachers – bring into the classroom. Lately, conservatives have been buzzing with complaints about the books children are being taught and critical race theory brainwashing children. This politicization of education is rooted in white supremacy. To understand what’s happening in classrooms today, A’shanti talks to parent and educator Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera who is the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at her local school district. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

36 min listen

A Uniquely American Problem: the Gun Violence Epidemic: Gun violence is a uniquely American problem that has only gotten worse in recent years. In 2020, there were nearly 50,000 gun related deaths in the United States. However, in June 2022, gun violence prevention advocates saw a victory when President Biden signed into law the first major piece of gun safety legislation that Congress has passed in nearly thirty years. A’shanti sits down to discuss the gun violence epidemic with Monisha Henley, the Managing Director of State Government Affairs at Everytown, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. They break down this year’s legislative win and what it leaves unaddressed. With the midterm elections just around the corner, they emphasize the importance of voting in gun sense candidates and holding not only individuals, but also the gun industry, accountable. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

41 min listen

Immigrant Rights are Human Rights: Immigrants are a huge part of what makes America…America. And in recent months, we’ve seen an increasing number of immigrants arrive at our southern border, many of them fleeing violence and persecution to claim asylum in the United States. A’shanti speaks with immigration attorney Katherine Ventura of the Capital Area Immigrant Rights (CAIR) Coalition about the complexities of doing her job in a country that denies the humanity and rights of so many immigrants. They talk about Title 42 and the “Remain in Mexico” policy and discuss the reasons immigrants need AND deserve legal representation. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

37 min listen

Let’s Give Money to Black Women: The economy impacts all of us, but economic issues disproportionately impact Black and brown women. In this episode, A’shanti speaks with organizer Hope Wollensack, who is the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity (GRO) Fund, an organization that advances solutions to racial and economic injustice. In their conversation, A’shanti and Hope discuss universal basic income, break down the racist myth of the “welfare queen,” and get into how giving money directly to Black women can positively impact various outcomes in their lives. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

36 min listen

The Truth About Environmental Racism: Youth climate activist Nalleli Cobo grew up in South Central Los Angeles across the street from a toxic oil drilling site. From a young age, she experienced headaches, nosebleeds, asthma, body spasms, and at age 19, she was diagnosed with cancer. Alongside her mother, she began attending meetings and going door-to-door to spread information about the dangers of oil extraction and in 2020, she successfully shut down the drilling site in her neighborhood. In this episode, Nalleli and A’shanti discuss how Nalleli went from being a shy girl to a powerful climate activist, the horrors of environmental racism, and Nalleli’s hopes for the future of the climate movement. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

32 min listen

Rebuilding the House: A Post-Roe Conversation: The overturning of Roe v. Wade was one of the most sensational events of the year, though not for the better. In the season 9 premiere, A’shanti sits down with Oriaku Njoku, the new executive director for the National Network for Abortion Funds to talk about what’s next following the fall of this landmark decision. They delve into the reasons abortion is healthcare, the importance of Black women’s voices at the forefront of the reproductive justice movement, and why it’s time for a radical reimagining of Roe. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

41 min listen

Midterm Matters: BGG Season 9: It’s been quite a year for voters. From the overturn of Roe v Wade, to spiking inflation rates, to ever-increasing violence against our communities, the decisions we make at the polls are as important as ever. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Season 9 is here to steer listeners through the most pressing decisions this election season. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

2 min listen

BONUS: Ordinary Equality — Hanging On to a Future: Well, here we are. We're on the other side of what we've been talking about for years. Roe v. Wade has been struck down, and for the first time in our lifetime, abortion is no longer protected. In our first episode, Kate and Jamia talk to folks who've been living, and working, and surviving, in a state where abortion access has been under fire for years, even before Roe fell -- Kentucky. Our sponsor, ActBlue, has tools to help you support local reproductive justice groups or abortion funds by either donating directly or creating your own fundraising form. These forms can be shared far and wide with your own personal networks, and allows for quick and easy donation asks that go directly to your groups of choice. Take action today. Click HERE to find and support reproductive justice groups at every level. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

28 min listen

Eyes on Georgia: A Conversation with Fair Fight Action: In this episode, host A’shanti Gholar speaks with Cianti Stewart-Reid, Executive Director of Fair Fight Action, and Esosa Osa, Deputy Executive Director of Fair Fight Action. We discuss the challenges that come with leadership, share lessons learned, and discuss what it means to be a trailblazer. Thanks to our sponsor, Fair Fight Action. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

28 min listen

Introducing...The Accidental Activist!: How do cultural icons find themselves unexpectedly inhabiting a role as “activist"? From Wonder Media Network comes The Accidental Activist, a new podcast hosted by acclaimed journalist and former CNN Anchor Isha Sesay. Join Isha as she sits down with an array of celebrities, entertainers, and creators to find out the motivating circumstances behind their passions, all while revealing the human condition that unites us all: a desire to make a difference in the world. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

2 min listen

SCOTUS and Reproductive Rights: Fighting the Same Fight: It’s our season finale! What better way to celebrate a season full of Trailblazers than spotlighting someone at the forefront of change in this country: Mini Timmaraju. Mini is president of NARAL and the first woman of color to run the organization. She knows more than anyone else that across this country, reproductive rights are under attack. For the first time in decades, a massive population of people are losing a fundamental, constitutional freedom in real time. It’s a fight we know well, and one we’ll continue to work against on all fronts, because we need to show up at every level. From what Justice Brown Jackson’s confirmation could mean for a representative Supreme Court, to taking action at your local level, we’re covering all the bases in this battle. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

35 min listen

Women Bring the Vote: When today’s guest, NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif, ran for office, she knew it wasn’t going to be an easy job. So, she reframed the campaign– her race wasn’t just a job, it was a commitment to her city. A commitment to the neighborhood that raised her. Shahana, AKA Shahana from BK, is the first Muslim woman elected to New York City Council and the first woman Council Member for the 39th District. She’s a leader in policy that puts women, communities of color, and disability advocacy at the front of every decision. From organizing the kids on her block, to leading an entire city district, Shahana is here to talk representation and all it can offer. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

34 min listen

SCOTUS Needs Ketanji Brown Jackson: In 223 years, there has never been a Black woman on the Supreme Court—– and now, with the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, this country is closer than ever to making the Supreme Court more reflective of the nation it represents. Today, we’re talking to someone who knows every detail of this trailblazing moment: Meagan Hatcher-Mays, Director of Democracy at Indivisible. She’s talking about the work Indivisible is doing behind the scenes of Judge Brown Jackson’s nomination, what her confirmation means, and what it’s like to finally cover a confirmation she wants to see happen. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

27 min listen

Lessons Learned: A Conversation with ActBlue: In this episode, host A’shanti Gholar speaks with Dany Sigwalt, executive director of Power Shift Network, Christine Nobiss, founder of Great Plains Action Society, and Erica Nash of ActBlue. We discuss the challenges that come with leadership, share lessons learned, and discuss what it means to be a trailblazer. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

35 min listen

How to Make a Stronger Democracy: Today’s guest, Dr. Sadaf Jaffer, is the first Asian American and first Muslim American woman sworn into the New Jersey General Assembly, and formerly the first Muslim woman to serve as a mayor in the United Sates. This trailblazer knows what it takes to win an election! Without prior political experience, Sadaf decided to be the change she wanted to see in her community by training with EMERGE and running for office. Sadaf tells us how her intersecting identities and messaging enabled her to help her community, particularly women and undocumented folks, during COVID and beyond. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

29 min listen

Bonus: From Getting Even with Anita Hill: Reimagining 1991: I'm sharing a special preview of the new podcast, Getting Even with Anita Hill, from Pushkin Industries. The American icon talks with trailblazers like Kimberlé Crenshaw, Misty Copeland, and Nikole Hannah-Jones who have taken risks to make our society more equal. You’ll hear stories from their lives and their work, and amazing lessons about looking outside the lines, breaking the “rules,” and forging our own paths to equality. In this preview, Anita talks about the 1991 Supreme Court hearing with Sukari Hardnett, who submitted a written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee, telling them about the sexual harassment she witnessed working with Clarence Thomas. Sukari was never called to testify and Anita asks how the conversation may have gone differently had the Senate taken their testimonies seriously. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

6 min listen

We Are the Backbone of Our Communities: As the daughter of Young Lord activists, Mia Bonta grew up always being reminded how important it was for her to fight for what she, and other poor Black and brown people, deserve. Mia spent 25 years in the nonprofit world doing just this, but it wasn’t until recently that she made the choice to pivot into politics. Today, Mia is the California assemblymember representing the East Bay, as well as the former president of the Alameda Unified School Board. As one of few women of color—and the first Afro-Latina—in the California legislature, she knows just how important it is for her to be in the room. She shares how she maintains her authenticity in every room she steps in, whether it’s around the neighborhood, or in the California capitol building. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

25 min listen

Small Starts, Big Victories: We know representation matters at every level, but that doesn’t change the facts: getting into politics is daunting, even including today’s guest, Sändra Washington, the first Black lesbian elected to Lincoln, NE’s City Council. Today, Sändra is a newly re-elected member of the Council. But before her time in Lincoln, Sändra spent 25 years working in the National Park Service. When she joined the Council by special appointment, she brought those experiences with her to better represent her constituents—and when re-election came, she won her race by confronting her truth: her voice mattered. From constituting part of Nebraska’s 2.2% Black population, to leading her progressive community in a sea of red, Sändra tells us all about her journey into politics. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

32 min listen

Representation at Every Level: Schools are increasingly becoming places for proxy battles between the Left and the Right. The Covid-19 pandemic has only added to this phenomenon, raising questions on masking and vaccination policies. No one knows more about this than our guest, Kathy Mulkerin, Director of the Walla Walla School Board in Washington State. When she ran for Director last year, she wasn’t expecting to receive national attention. But in her district that is made up of 46% students of color, she was the first woman of color to be elected to the board. We talk to her about being the representation she so badly needed growing up and why school boards need to be representative of the communities they’re serving. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

21 min listen

The Grace of a Trailblazer: In the season premiere, A’shanti sits down with Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY’s List. As the first Black woman to lead the organization, Laphonza discusses how she wakes up everyday filled with the mission of EMILY’s List: to elect more pro-choice Democratic women to office. She talks to us about the midterm elections, the attack on voter’s rights, and why optimism will be what moves the world toward progress. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

34 min listen

Welcome to Season 8: There is no denying it. By 2045, the United States will no longer be majority white. In the 2021 elections, women of the New American Majority excited voters, soared, and shattered glass ceilings. This season on the BGG, we are going back to our roots for Black History and Women’s History Month by spotlighting Black, Brown, and Indigenous women of color who are blazing trails in politics. From the dais to executive offices, New American Majority women are holding seats of power in key positions for the first time. We will discuss their journey, the impact they are having, what we need to do to ensure that they are the first, but not the last. New episodes on Tuesdays. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

2 min listen

Bonus Episode: Ordinary Equality, Roe v. Wade: In light of what's happening at the Supreme Court, we wanted to bring you another show from Wonder Media Network called Ordinary Equality. If you are long-time listener of the pod, you know how overturning Roe would significantly impact women of color, triggering arcane abortion laws in states where women of color are more likely to live, and making it even more difficult to access other types of safe, affordable reproductive healthcare. This episode of Ordinary Equality examines the landmark Roe v. Wade case–how it came to be, what exactly it established, and where it’s vulnerable to legal attacks. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

44 min listen

Bonus Episode: Global President of Pfizer Vaccines, Nanette Cocero: In this episode, host A’shanti Gholar speaks with Nanette Cocero, Global President of Vaccines at Pfizer. We’re answering all your questions about how the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was made, how Pfizer is helping make sure there is access to and trust in the vaccine against COVID-19, and debunking some of the latest myths around the vaccine itself. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

24 min listen

In Their Words: COVID Survivors: In our finale episode, we’re talking about the stories behind the COVID statistics. First, we speak to Kristin Urquiza, co-founder and co-executive director of Marked By COVID, about the work we still have to do for COVID survivors. Then, we’re talking to Chimére L. Smith, a long-haul COVID advocate, about her experience living with long COVID and advocating for others like her. Finally, we get a glimpse into the day-to-day of disability advocate Vilissa Thompson, founder of Ramp Your Voice. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

52 min listen

Back to School: Welcome to the Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast. On this episode, host A’shanti Gholar speaks to Becky Pringle, President of the NEA, and Ebony Thornton, a high school teacher from Georgia. Going back to school this year is an unprecedented challenge-- and our guests are here to tell us the realities of getting kids back in classrooms in the middle of a pandemic. by The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

52 min listen

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BONUS: Ordinary Equality — The End of Roe v. Wade

BONUS: Ordinary Equality — The End of Roe v. Wade

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