Elevate Maryland

This week, Candace and Tom took the show on the road to Annapolis to interview State Senator Will Smith. Smith has recently been selected as chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and shared some of his views on how he intends to shape policy in this new role. The Senator also comments on his time in Afghanistan, including working in the same space as presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.

Three Things:

1) Live streaming of General Assembly;

2) Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein;

3) Old Bay Hot Sauce.

Thank you to Red Red Wine for hosting!

This week, Candace and Tom sit down with congressional candidate Maya Rockeymoore Cummings to discuss her campaign to replace her late husband, Congressman Elijah Cummings. She discusses her HOPE for Baltimore plan, the need for affordable prescription drugs, and addresses some of her more controversial moments as chair of the Maryland Democratic Party.

Three Things:

1) BLM week at Howard County Public Schools;

2) Kobe Bryant; and

3) Howard County Board of Education elections.

This week, Candace and Tom had the opportunity to welcome Delegate Dr. Terri Hill back to the show to discuss her run for a seat in the U.S. Congress. This is a wide ranging interview covering everything from Title 1 drugs to Howard County redistricting. You won't want to miss this!

Transportation policy effects our daily life, yet rarely gets the attention it deserves. In this episode, Candace and Tom sat down with Howard County Transportation Administrator Bruce Gartner to discuss the highways and byways of Howard County, a renewed emphasis on multimodal transportation, and how the local mass transit system is being made more approachable to attract new passengers.

Thank you to our sponsor Cured/18th & 21st!

This week, Candace and Tom interview Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and candidate for Congress Saafir Rabb. AG Ellison was the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress. He flew to Maryland to endorse Saafir Rabb in his bid for Congress. Tune in to hear why and how this relates to the ongoing struggles of Baltimore and the Seventh District.

Book, Movie, & Music:

Ellison - book(s): Dying of Whiteness, American Sickness; movie: Just Mercy; music: Kendrick Lamar

Rabb - book: The Dragon Within, The New Jim Crow; movie: Knives Out; music: Kindred the Family Soul

This week, Candace and Tom sit down with State Senator Jill Carter to discuss her run for Congress to represent the 7th District. We cover her family's passion for civil rights, her work to help Baltimore, and why Senator Carter sees herself as the "only progressive candidate" in the race. We also address criticisms Senator Carter has received regarding the vote for same-sex marriage in 2011.

Thank you to our sponsors, Howard Hughes - Merriweather District, Cured/18th & 21st, and the Downtown Columbia Partnership!

This week, Tom and special guest host Ian Kennedy interview Delegate Shelly Hettleman to discuss her campaign for the State Senate seat vacated by Bobby Zirkin. Delegate Hettleman has represented Baltimore County's District 11 since 2015. During this interview, we discuss rape kit legislation, Kirwan, and proposed legislation to create "overdose protection sites" for monitored use of previously purchased drugs.

Thank you to our sponsors - Howard Hughes - Merriweather District, the Downtown Columbia Partnership, and Cured/18th & 21st!

Our annual "Year in Review" show! This week, Candace and Tom review the ups and downs of 2019 and look forward to 2020 - a "year of solutions". From redistricting to changing leadership in Annapolis, there is plenty to discuss.

Thank you to everyone who made 2019 Elevate's best year yet!

This week, Candace and Tom sit down with former congressman and NAACP President Kweisi Mfume. We discuss his background developing from a high school drop-out to the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, the changes to the Democratic party since he left office, and what it means to run in a primary against a field full of women.

Thank you to our sponsors, Howard Hughes - Merriweather District, Cured/18th & 21st, and the Downtown Columbia Partnership.

This week, Candace and Tom sit down with the artists behind the world renowned comic book Priya and the Lost Girls: Ram Devini, Dipti Mehta, and Syd Fini. They discuss how using the comic book as a medium to broach difficult human right subjects, specifically gender violence and cultural stigmas. And, a Elevate Maryland FIRST - one of the guests sings.

Thank you to our sponsors, the Merriweather District and Cured/18th & 21st!