Elevate Maryland

Edgar Villanueva is a globally-recognized activist and author of the award-winning book Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance. In this interview, Edgar discusses the troubled foundations of philanthropy from how these funds are derived to the discriminatory manner grants are awarded. He also challenges the hierarchal model of most philanthropic organizations with recommendations for how leaders can establish communal power-sharing leadership norms.

Philanthropy is part of the essential fabric of civil society and Edgar is an important voice in ensuring this private power is exercised in an inclusive and loving way.

Takirra Winfield Dixon - Founder, Unapologetic Communications

Gabrielle Wyatt - Founder, The Highland Project

Erica Green - Reporter, The New York Times

Coming off of Erica Green's powerful profile of former Queen Anne's County Superintendent Dr. Andrea Kane, our guests discuss their work, their challenges, and what they want you to know about their lived experience. This panel interview is intimate, powerful, moving, inspirational, and everything we want Elevate Maryland to be.

Richard Rothstein is the author of the New York Times Bestseller The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. In this interview, Mr. Rothstein describes how our communities continue to be segregated by law due to laws and policies adopted in the early 20th century. He also recommends action at the local level to reverse generational harm. The Color of Law fundamentally changed how housing is discussed in this country and this interview demonstrates why that debate is fundamental to how we live today.

In this show, Candace and Tom interview retiring Howard Community College President Dr. Kate Hetherington. She discussed how following a set procedure and path set HCC up to be one of the few community colleges recognized with the distinguished Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. Dr. Hetherington also describes how the school charted a path through the pandemic, which continues to the present, and how she's decided to take on the issues of racial equity when many would rather she keep quiet on the subject.

This is not an interview to miss!

In this episode, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., discusses his decision not to run for Governor and instead seek reelection. We also hit on the topics of housing, education, equity, and his prolonged stint as a prominent local DJ! You won't want to miss his unpopular benign opinion, even though it technically has to do with food.

UpSurge was founded to make Baltimore the first "Equitech" city in the world. This effort is premised on the idea that Maryland's tech ecosystem is primed for exponential growth with the incorporation of Baltimore's diverse workforce. In this episode, Jamie describes UpSurge's methodology of bringing people into the tech sector who have been boxed out by incumbent interests and insular markets

The Fair Housing Act passed in 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, religion, national origin, and, since 1974, sex. Our guest this week believes we need another amendment that will prohibit discrimination in housing based on economic status. Although racism and sexism are seen as overtly bad, Richard Kahlenberg notes that Americans are much more ambivalent, or even supportive, of discrimination based on class. The result is that our communities are segregated based on income, resulting in bad outcomes not only for those less off, but also the wealthy families that support these divisions.

We live in a great time of cynicism and apathy as it relates to politics and political power. In this episode, Candace and Tom interview coauthor Hahrie Han about her new book Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty-First-Century America. She describes how people mistake attention for power and how the key to effectuating political change is creating a sense of belonging amongst fellow activists. Han also notes that the art of political negotiation not only is critical between electeds, but also across advocacy groups. This is a must listen for anyone looking to create political change.

The 2021 General Assembly Session will be remembered for many things, but top among them is Maryland's historic legislation on police reform. In this episode, Candace and Tom interview the co-chairs of the Maryland House Judiciary Committee, Luke Clippinger and Vanessa Atterbeary. They review the ups and downs of a unique COVID-impacted session and close, as always, with books, restaurants, and unpopular benign opinions.

Candace returns for this interview with Howard County Library President and CEO Tonya Aikens to discuss the new "Brave Voices Brave Choices" campaign. This new initiative will replace the iconic "Choose Civility" campaign, which has adorned resident bumpers for over a decade. Tonya explains why it was necessary to move past the "Choose Civility" frame and tells listeners what they can expect in the months and years ahead from Brave Voices Brave Choices.