Columbus Can't Wait

Columbus City Councilmember Nick Bankston joins us to break down Issue 9. We look at how we got here and how long the district conversation has been happening, plus the impetus for the issue, working with Our City Our Say, and moving forward with a "complementary" issue.Nick makes the case for why at-large representation is necessary and explains how at-large council members would be elected. We also dig into changing how maps are drawn, Black and minority representation and voice in voting, as well as reforms council is seeking to lower the maximum contribution, cap in-kind contributions and lower signature requirements. Plus, the economic cost of the hybrid proposal. Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Kwesi Low and Morgan Harper of Columbus Stand Up! join us to discuss Issue 8 aka Our City Our Say. We look at when the work on Our City Our Say started and the history of pushing for council reform, plus why they say Issue 8 is a "simple fix" to the current system.Kwesi and Morgan make the case for the downfalls of at-large representation and the need for community understanding. We also go into the differences in their coalition and what spurred Issue 9, concerns about the effectiveness and voting power in an all-district system, lowering the barrier of entry for grassroots candidates and more.Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Recorded live at 614 Day in June, this panel brought together Columbus City Council members Emmanuel Remy, Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, Tiara Ross and Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley to talk about what has been shaping Central Ohio lately, from the housing crisis and much-needed support for youth to the push for creative local partnerships amid shrinking federal funding.

Heads up: This one was shot outside our normal studio, so the sound and video are a little different than normal. That's just how live goes! Councilmember Barroso de Padilla's mic does settle in around the 18-minute mark.

Hosted by Tareya. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Whitehall is changing, and not everyone is happy about it. Mayor Michael Bivens and Councilmembers Harcar and Elmore join us to break down the citizen-led recall effort targeting city leadership, the misinformation fueling it and what's really at stake for the folks who call Whitehall home.

For more information: yesforprogress.com

Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Michael Cole, candidate for Ohio House District 2, joins us to talk about growing up in Cleveland and how an early interest in politics led him to the school board, and now a run for the Statehouse.

We get into Education Choice, the lack of buy-in for public education at the state level and why the school district is in the financial place it's in. He breaks down his work on the board, what he'd do differently, and what it looks like to advocate for public education with a Republican-led legislature at odds with it.

Plus, the property tax conversation, the resolve he says is needed at the Statehouse, and how he’s thinking about managing Columbus' growth.

For more on Michael Cole's campaign: cole4ohio.com

Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Charity Martin-King, candidate for Ohio House District 2, joins us to talk about her history of community work, taking up space as a Black woman in politics and why she sees this work as bigger than politicians.

She shares her background working with youth and entrepreneurship, including the Urban Spirit coffee shop and in the nonprofit space, and how that shapes her approach to policy. We also revisit the murder of Makiah Bryant and what it means to protect Black girls.

We get into school funding and lack of choice, and how she's thinking about tackling education more broadly. Plus, her takes on agriculture, renewable energy, data centers, rising utility costs, property taxes, minimum wage and accountability, including what it looks like to fight for our community while up against a Republican supermajority.

Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

For more info on Charity's campaign: campaign4charity.com

Chana Wiley, of Columbus Safety Collective and Ohio Families Unite for Political Action and Change, returns to CCW to talk about Issue 5: the May ballot initiative aimed at changing how Columbus responds to mental health calls by sending trained responders instead of police.

She shares the story of her brother, Jaron Thomas, revisiting his mental health episode, the moments leading up to his killing, and how she says police treated her in the aftermath. We also get into the turbulent journey to get this initiative on the ballot, the pushback she faced, and how police have responded.

Plus, what this could look like if and when it passes, and what folks need to know before they vote.

Read more about Issue 5 here: cbussafety.org/campaign

Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Aleena Starks of Ohio Working Families Party and guest host Jasmine Ayers join us on the podcast for a conversation on progressive politics statewide. They explore the challenges of running as progressives, the flaws in traditional and establishment Democratic strategy and the importance of bringing in Black voters. They also talk about their personal journeys to progressive politics, building community power and the pressing need for authentic candidates.

Subscribe to Columbus Can't Wait on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ for video.

Hosted by Tareya. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, in our final Columbus City School board candidate interview, discusses his personal journey from being a troubled student to an education leader.We cover his background, the critical role of mentorship played in his life, and his work in community and educational organizations. He also shares his thoughts on school closures, budget issues and building partnerships for student support and success.

Please note: We reached out to all candidates in the Columbus City School board race.

Hosted by Taijuan. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

Our next school board candidate is Dr. Antoinette Miranda. She joins us on the podcast to discuss her vision for improving Columbus City Schools. She talks about her background in education and psychology, the importance of behavioral interventions, the role of leadership in schools, raising children and being married to a teacher at CCS, and her commitment to building trust and transparency between the school board and the community.

Hosted by Taijuan Moorman. Recorded and shot at Statehouse Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer and Taijuan Nichole Moorman.