Built By Us

By Democracy North Carolina

Built By Us Media spotlights movement makers and shakers across North Carolina. Hosts Kai and Joselle sit down with organizers, activists, and working-class people who are fighting for justice, bui

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4.7

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FAQs about Built By Us:

How many episodes does Built By Us have?

The podcast currently has 139 episodes available.

Built By Us episodes:

August 15, 2025 State of Democracy: Who Really Holds Power in North Carolina?
In this episode, we tackle two urgent threats to democracy in North Carolina. First, Dawn Blagrove of Emancipate NC unpacks the NCGA’s latest power grab, a move that could weaken local control and shift the balance of power for years to come. Then, Dr. Jovita Lee of the NC Black Alliance joins us to break down the racial gerrymandering case unfolding in Winston-Salem, explaining how it could strip Black voters of political influence and reshape the state’s electoral future.
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53min
March 24, 2025 A Women’s History Month Conversation with Julia Hawes
In this special Women’s History Month episode of Built By Us, we sat down with Julia Hawes, Communications Director at Democracy North Carolina, for a candid conversation on Women's History Month.
Hear from Julia directly as she reflects on the women who inspire her, the role of Women's History Month in the fight for social justice, and the nuances of what being a woman means to her.
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18min
March 18, 2025 It’s Time to Talk About The SAVE Act
Voter fraud. It’s the go-to excuse for restrictive voting laws, but how big of a problem is it really? In this episode, we sit down with Communications Manager, Joselle Torres, to break down the SAVE Act, a bill that claims to protect elections but could actually strip voting rights from millions.
From costly documentation barriers to harmful voter purges, we unpack how this bill could upend voter registration as we know it...especially for young voters, people of color, and those who’ve changed their names.
Tune in to learn what’s really at stake and how you can take action to protect our freedom to vote.
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38min
February 26, 2025 ENCORE: Truthful and Revolutionary History with Dr. Ajamu Dillahunt
Black History Month may be coming to a close, but Black history is lived, made, and studied every day of the year. In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Dr. Ajamu Amiri Dillahunt on the power of understanding the past, the importance of internationalism, and our deep connections to the people.
Join Alyssa and Taylor as they discuss Truthful and Revolutionary history with Ajamu — because Black history doesn’t end in February.
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45min
February 19, 2025 ENCORE: The Role of First-Generation Immigrants in the Movement
As new legislation and political rhetoric fuel fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities, it's more important than ever to uplift the voices of those on the front lines.
In this encore episode of Built By Us, former Democracy Summer communications friendtern Zainab Adamou-Mohamed interviews Yahtrip Abdelgadir, a refugee community organizer with Church World Service Greensboro. Together, they discuss the unique experiences of first-generation immigrants and their critical role as changemakers, storytellers, and advocates for justice.
At a time when immigrant communities are under attack, this conversation is a reminder of their power, resilience, and impact in the movement. Tune in.
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38min
February 13, 2025 What Black History Month Means To Me
In this special episode of Built By Us, we revisit powerful voices from past guests as they share what Black History Month means to them. From personal reflections to the ongoing fight for justice, tune in for a quick but meaningful conversation on history, legacy, and the future of Black civic power.
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10min
January 18, 2025 Living the Legacy: Linda Sutton and the Pursuit of Justice
In this moving episode of Built By Us, we spotlight the remarkable journey of Linda Sutton, a trailblazer in justice and equity from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As a regional organizer for Democracy North Carolina, Linda shares her decades-long dedication to voter registration, labor organizing, and environmental justice. From her upbringing near tobacco factories to her leadership in unions and community coalitions, Linda’s story exemplifies resilience, love, and the fight for a better tomorrow.
This episode is a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the countless individuals, like Linda, who continue to carry the torch of justice.
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31min
October 01, 2024 Notes on PRIDE: Gender, Identity, and Allyship
In this candid conversation, we explore the complexities of identity, from the power of labels in connecting to humanity, to the challenges of navigating intersectional marginalization. Our guests discuss the covert policing of gender and sexuality, how misgendering devalues individuals, and offer practical ways to be an ally in a world that often weaponizes our identity.

Tune in to 'Notes on PRIDE', released in honor of Durham Pride Celebrations this past weekend.
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50min
September 16, 2024 Voices of Southeast NC: DeMonte Alford, Regional Managing Organizer
In this episode, DeMonte shares his deep connection to the southeast region of North Carolina, discussing its unique charm, challenges, and the changes shaping its future.

Democracy NC's Southeastern region includes Cumberland, Scotland, Robeson, Columbus, and Hoke county communities. Tune in as we explore it's rich culture, history, and evolving landscape through the eyes of DeMonte Alford, Southeast Regional Managing Organizer here at Democracy NC.

Discover what makes Southeast North Carolina a special place and how it continues to inspire growth and innovation.
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17min
August 05, 2024 Chapel Hill Homes: The Quest for Affordability w/ Mayor Anderson and Sarah Viñas
Chapel Hill has a housing problem, and solutions must be created soon. In this episode, Democracy Summer communication friendtern Eden Aulis-Campos investigates the current housing crisis that infiltrates the Chapel Hill community. To obtain deeper insight, Eden sits with Chapel Hill Mayor, Jess Anderson, and Affordable Housing and Community Connections Director Sarah Viñas. Jess Anderson assumed the role of Chapel Hill’s mayor in November 2023 following two terms on the Chapel Hill Town Council.

Previously, she held the position of Mayor Pro Tempore from 2017 to 2019, chaired the Council Committee on Economic Sustainability from 2021 to 2023, and represented the Town on the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness board. Sarah Viñas has been with the Town of Chapel Hill since 2011, holding various positions in the Manager’s Office, Public Works, and Affordable Housing and Community Connections. With nearly a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, she has dedicated much of her career to community development and anti-poverty work.
Support the show
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Instagram: @democracync
TikTok: @democracync
Threads: @democracync
Bluesky: @democracync
Facebook: @DemocracyNorthCarolina
Youtube: @DemocracyNorthCarolina

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26min

FAQs about Built By Us:

How many episodes does Built By Us have?

The podcast currently has 139 episodes available.

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