Participation in democratic society takes many forms but voting holds a particularly central role in the functioning of U.S. political life. However, as esteemed as this right may be, one constant throughout U.S. history has been the contested nature of access to the ballot. For African Americans, in particular, disenfranchisement and voter suppression has interfered with full engagement. Yet, activism has spurred on legislation in the ongoing efforts to fortify a more inclusive and just society.

We spoke to Dr. Marilyn Davis, an associate professor of political science at Spelman College, about the longstanding and ongoing struggle among African Americans to secure voting rights in the United States. In each of these short podcast episodes, Dr. Davis shares her insights into different facets of the vibrant history of African Americans and the difficult reality that political participation has not always been full, fair, or free.