Beyond the Hyphen: Bridging Voices at the Intersection of Identity, Politics, Arts, & Civic Reform

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Oliver Ma, a civil rights attorney and leading candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California, to examine what leadership looks like in a moment defined by division, inequality, and generational change.

Drawing from his work representing tenants and immigrant communities, Oliver reflects on the limits of individual advocacy and the need for structural change. The conversation explores the realities facing AAPI communities, the barriers to political representation, and how identity shapes both legal practice and public leadership.

Mark and Oliver also discuss youth civic engagement, declining trust in democratic institutions, and what it takes to build meaningful connections with the next generation beyond election cycles. Grounded in both lived experience and policy perspective, this episode considers how power, responsibility, and representation are evolving in one of the most consequential political landscapes in the country.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland State Senator Cory McCray, who represents the 45th Legislative District in northeast Baltimore City.

Senator McCray shares the personal story that shaped his path to public service, reflecting on his early life in Baltimore, his time at the Cheltenham Detention Center as a teenager, and the apprenticeship opportunity that redirected his future and eventually led him into leadership and elected office.

The conversation explores the policy challenges and opportunities facing Baltimore today, including economic mobility, transportation, education disparities, and the role of state government in shaping outcomes for communities across Maryland. Senator McCray also discusses how collaboration between city leadership and state policymakers can influence progress for Baltimore residents.

Throughout the episode, we also focus on youth civic participation, the importance of mentorship and opportunity, and what it means for young people to see themselves as leaders within their own communities.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with William He, the founder of Dream for America, a national youth-led organization mobilizing young people to participate meaningfully in democracy.

William reflects on building an institution from the ground up at 16, navigating youth leadership, scaling civic engagement without losing long-term vision, and what it takes to turn political interest into sustained action. The conversation spans grassroots organizing, national moments like Democracy Fest, political identity formation, and what young leaders should take from today’s emerging generation in public life—plus one unexpected hot take at the end.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li speaks with Dr. Kevin Chin, an emergency room physician and Democratic candidate for the Howard County Council representing District 1. Drawing on his experience working at the front lines of public health, Dr. Chin discusses what motivated his transition from medicine into local government and how clinical decision-making has shaped his approach to accountability, resource allocation, and public service. The conversation explores the role of county government in shaping everyday life in Howard County, from education funding and school capacity planning to transparency in budgeting, procurement, and regulatory decisions.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Dan Schwartz, a consumer protection advocate and Democratic candidate for Congress in Maryland’s First District.

The conversation examines affordability, healthcare, and consumer protection through the lens of how Congress actually functions in practice. Schwartz discusses his background in regulatory enforcement, the gap between laws on the books and lived protections, and how internal power structures—particularly the influence of the Freedom Caucus—shape legislative outcomes.

The episode also explores federal issues affecting young voters, questions of accountability and representation in Maryland, and what effective leadership looks like at a moment of institutional strain.

In this episode, Texas State Representative Gene Wu joins Beyond the Hyphen with host Mark Li to talk about the changing face of Texas politics, the role of community, and what it means to lead with both conviction and care. From demographic shifts to the quiet courage of everyday civic life, this conversation explores how the future of democracy is being written in a tumultuous political time period.

Host Mark Li sits down with Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, for a conversation on how data can drive justice. Together, they trace the journey from community pain to national policy impact — how a simple reporting form became a movement that changed how America talks about race and accountability. Named to the TIME100 and Bloomberg 50 lists, and featured on TEDx, Manjusha Kulkarni reflects on leadership, identity, and what it means to turn numbers into change.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Dr. Calvin Ball, County Executive of Howard County, Maryland. From his early motivations to his ongoing work in education, equity, and community engagement, Dr. Ball shares insights on what it means to lead with purpose at the local level. We dive into his leadership philosophy, how he connects with a diverse constituency, the role of youth in civic life, and his vision for the county’s future. Whether you're a student leader, policy enthusiast, or someone passionate about public service, this conversation will leave you thinking about the power of local government in a whole new way.

In this episode, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee to explore the power of public service, representation, and being a changemaker from within. As the first Asian American elected to the Maryland Senate and now the first AAPI Secretary of State in Maryland’s history, Secretary Lee reflects on what it means to lead, to be the first, and to carry community with you into every room amidst her vision under the leadership of Governor Wes Moore. They discuss the evolution of AAPI representation, the role of young people in shaping civic futures, and how trust in government can be rebuilt through authentic leadership.

Host Mark Li sits down with Haipei Shue, President of United Chinese Americans (UCA), for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, advocacy, and the fight for justice in an era of rising anti-China sentiment.

Together, they explore what it means to grow up Chinese American amid political tension, how government scrutiny has impacted scientists and students alike, and why youth leadership is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive democracy.