Democracy In Color

She’s been called the “Anti-Trump.” Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative for Washington’s 7th congressional district is a true changemaker. She embodies intersectional, fierce, progressive and inclusive politics. As a longtime organizer, especially for immigration rights, women’s issues, civil rights and access to education, Jayapal is organizing these days from within Congress. She offers a perspective that is not often heard in Congress and she is pushing legislative conversations to be more inclusive by training others on intersectional politics.

First-time political candidate, Wendy Carrillo, 36, went from fleeing war in El Salvador to campaigning for Congressional office. She is running to represent California’s 34th Congressional District (which is almost entirely within the City of LA) in a highly contested race to replace former Rep. Xavier Becerra, who is now California’s attorney general.

Michael Tubbs is the first African-American Mayor of Stockton, CA as well as the youngest ever elected to that office. He graduated from Stanford, completed internships at the White House and Google, and came back home to create opportunities for other residents of Stockton. In this first episode of our second season, we talk federalism, political landscapes and staying grounded as new mayor.

For our season finale host Aimee Allison sits down with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and Steve Phillips, author of New York Times bestseller Brown Is the New White and founder of Democracy in Color. A week before this historic election, they discuss how Democrats can win big up and down the ballot, our opportunity to fix the criminal justice system, and what we can do to heal the racial divide. Tune in now, rate us on iTunes, and please share.

In this second part of a two-part episode, Aimee continues her conversation with: Jeff Chang, Executive Director of the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford and author of the newly launched book We Gon’ Be Alright; David Kyuman Kim, professor of religious studies and American studies at Connecticut College and author of Melancholic Freedom, and historian and activist Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark and Men Explain Things to Me. During this second session, they examine how to move from fear to love, including loving our country’s Trump supporters, developing empathy in the face of our lack of imagination, and how communities really do take care of one another.

In the first part of a two-part episode, Aimee Allison sits down with three of America's top writers and social justice advocates: Jeff Chang, author of the newly launched book “We Gon’ Be Alright”; David Kyuman Kim, professor of Religious Studies and American Studies at Connecticut College and author of Melancholic Freedom, and Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark and Men Explain Things to Me riff of the themes of police violence, this generation's quest for self-care, and why there is reason to hope for healing and progressive progress despite the present difficulties.

San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim is a true fighter. While serving on the Board of Supervisors, she has been fighting for affordable housing, for a $15 an hour minimum wage and to make community college free again. Now, Jane's taking the fight to Sacramento, one of the most important legislative bodies in the country today. In this episode, Aimee and Jane talk about her journey into politics, pressing political issues and her mean flying roundhouse taekwondo kick.

In this episode, Aimee talks with Matt Nelson about the unrest in Milwaukee following the recent police killing of Sylville Smith. Matt Nelson is the Executive Director of Presente.org. Presente is the nation’s largest online Latinx organizing group; advancing social justice with technology, media, and culture.

For 20 years Lateefah Simon has led community organizations and expanded economic opportunities for thousands of low-income families in the Bay Area. Now she is running for District 7 BART Board Director. In this episode Lateefah and Aimee talk about her beautiful struggle, sister-friends and her vision for a better BART system and Bay Area.

Lucy Flores served two terms in the Nevada House, making her the first Latina member of Nevada's legislature. She then ran as the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor, and later for Congress. In this episode, Lucy shares her story of growing up in poverty, overcoming adversity and fighting for the rights of underrepresented communities.