The New York Times and the Washington Post published damaging exposes of Trump's inaction in January 2020. Consumed with impeachment and trade negotiatons with China, President Trump missed a crucial window to prepare for the novel coronavirus that has thus far claimed more than 22,000 lives and toppled our economy. On this episode Arinze dives into those stories and delivers a heartfelt message about the need for party unity in the aftermath of Senator Sanders' exit from the primary and subsequent endorsement of Vice President Joe Biden. Be sure to subscribe, so you never miss an episode. If you have any feedback you can email us at [email protected]!

Arinze delivers a scathing assessment of Trump's propaganda press conferences. The task force briefings are purposefully timed to preempt local and national news coverage. These "briefings" regularly feed lies and disinformation to the American public that are designed to boost Trump's approval ratings as his administration bungles its response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Tune in for a brand new podcast format as the Maryland Democratic Party shifts its operation to digital organizing in this new social distancing era. Be sure to share your feedback or share your comments on air via voicenote by emailing [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Stay safe, wash your hands, and TRUST SCIENCE.

ft. Del. Pam Queen (D-14). The podcast opens with a candid discussion about Del. Queen’s educational background (a bachelors, two masters, and a PHD) in the STEM field and the challenges she faced early on in her career. Her personal story dovetails into the ongoing fight for greater funding for Maryland’s HBCUs. Del. Queen goes on to talk about her work with Black Girls Vote at Morgan State University (8:50) and how she is getting students involved in grassroots efforts to support the Maryland HBCU lawsuit. Next Del. Queen discusses her “Equal Pay - Equal Work” bill (10:50), her bill to screen for the presence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) in schools (12:30), her work on the Economic Stability workgroup (17:20), and a bill to bring more childcare subsidies (23:00) to Maryland families. Arinze asks Del. Queen about the social and philanthropic organizations that she is apart of, and how they’ve helped her run for public office (24:26). The conversation wraps with a discussion focused on how Del. Queen got her start in politics (26:22) and her outlook on the future of the Maryland General Assembly (28:25).

ft. Speaker Pro Tem, Del. Sheree Sample Hughes (D-37A). On this episode Del. Sample Hughes discusses what it means to be the only Democrat representing Maryland’s Eastern Shore (2:52) and addresses some of the challenges the Shore is facing— including access to broadband internet (5:34) and physician shortages (10:14). Later we discuss her role as a mentor to new legislators (18:21) and her responsibilities as Speaker Pro Tem. Del. Sample Hughes opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman aspiring to hold elected office (24:15) and the importance of relying on her loved ones to help make serving in the legislature a reality (29:09). The podcast closes with her thoughts on the amount of bills the MDGA hears on an annual basis (32:20), the new direction of the House of Delegates (37:52), and the need for Maryland’s HBCUs to be rightfully compensated after years of underfunding (41:12).

On this episode Arinze sits with Prince George’s State Central Committee Member Chris Stevenson and Democratic activist Julio Murillo to discuss the new dynamics of the 2020 Presidential Primary. The pod opens with Chris— a Black and Latinx voter— and Julio— a Latinx voter— assessing how we’ve arrived to our final two candidates (3:20 - 10:26). Arinze asks what the outlook is for the Party post-convention (10:35) and Julio says the Vice Presidential pick this cycle could be especially critical to winning in November (13:00). Arinze takes issue the pejorative usage of the term establishment, and argues that the “establishment” delivered America’s first black president, healthcare reform, and more (15:15). The group debates whether Progressives can count on signature issues like Medicare for All and Student Loan Relief could actually be enacted (19:44) by a Democratic president and if working class whites, moderate Republicans, and independents can be trusted to vote for the Democratic nominee in November (26:30). The conversation then turns to a discussion about what Biden has to do to connect with Latinx voters and what Bernie has to do to connect with black voters through the remainder of the Primary contest (34:07). The episode wraps with a discussion about turnout (42:50) and early predictions about which policies could conceivably be enacted by Sanders or Biden prior to the 2022 midterms (53:50). Wash your hands.

On this episode Arinze sits with Prince George’s State Central Committee Member Chris Stevenson and Democratic activist Julio Murillo to discuss the new dynamics of the 2020 Presidential Primary. The pod opens with Chris— a Black and Latinx voter— and Julio— a Latinx voter— assessing how we’ve arrived to our final two candidates (3:20 - 10:26). Arinze asks what the outlook is for the Party post-convention (10:35) and Julio says the Vice Presidential pick this cycle could be especially critical to winning in November (13:00). Arinze takes issue the pejorative usage of the term establishment, and argues that the “establishment” delivered America’s first black president, healthcare reform, and more (15:15). The group debates whether Progressives can count on signature issues like Medicare for All and Student Loan Relief could actually be enacted (19:44) by a Democratic president and if working class whites, moderate Republicans, and independents can be trusted to vote for the Democratic nominee in November (26:30). The conversation then turns to a discussion about what Biden has to do to connect with Latinx voters and what Bernie has to do to connect with black voters through the remainder of the Primary contest (34:07). The episode wraps with a discussion about turnout (42:50) and early predictions about which policies could conceivably be enacted by Sanders or Biden prior to the 2022 midterms (53:50). Wash your hands.

ft. Caryn York, CEO of JOTF (Job Opportunities Task Force). On this episode Arinze sits down with Caryn to discuss the work of JOTF— whose mission is to help transition low wage workers to high wage jobs. Caryn explains what the “criminalization of poverty” is and why JOTF is working to eradicate it from our public policies (3:22). Part of that work includes reforming Maryland’s overwhelmingly punitive child support system and understanding how to put in place policies that actually benefit chilren and co-parents (7:40). Caryn talks about the solutions JOTF is supporting to help create more equitable child support guidelines (16:40) and explains how economic justice is inextricably linked to our criminal justice system (20:40). Next Arinze asks Caryn about the changes she’s seen in the General Assembly under new leadership (21:40) and their willingness to take a different approach to longstanding issues such as criminal record expungement (22:50)— particularly the elimination of the “unit rule” which is preventing tens of thousands of Marylanders accessing expungement. Caryn explains why these Marylanders cannot get dropped charges off of their criminal records— the reason will blow your mind (24:40). Arinze asks Caryn how this year’s “tough on crime” rhetoric is impacting JOTF’s work to reform the criminal justice system and decriminalize poverty (31:20). The conversation wraps with this question: “What should politicians seeking election or re-election in Baltimore pursue to help turn the City around?” (36:30).

ft. Caryn York, CEO of JOTF (Job Opportunities Task Force). On this episode Arinze sits down with Caryn to discuss the work of JOTF— whose mission is to help transition low wage workers to high wage jobs. Caryn explains what the “criminalization of poverty” is and why JOTF is working to eradicate it from our public policies (3:22). Part of that work includes reforming Maryland’s overwhelmingly punitive child support system and understanding how to put in place policies that actually benefit chilren and co-parents (7:40). Caryn talks about the solutions JOTF is supporting to help create more equitable child support guidelines (16:40) and explains how economic justice is inextricably linked to our criminal justice system (20:40). Next Arinze asks Caryn about the changes she’s seen in the General Assembly under new leadership (21:40) and their willingness to take a different approach to longstanding issues such as criminal record expungement (22:50)— particularly the elimination of the “unit rule” which is preventing tens of thousands of Marylanders accessing expungement. Caryn explains why these Marylanders cannot get dropped charges off of their criminal records— the reason will blow your mind (24:40). Arinze asks Caryn how this year’s “tough on crime” rhetoric is impacting JOTF’s work to reform the criminal justice system and decriminalize poverty (31:20). The conversation wraps with this question: “What should politicians seeking election or re-election in Baltimore pursue to help turn the City around?” (36:30).

ft. Senator Mary Washington (D-Baltimore City). The podcast opens with a recap of the historic 6-hour, 4-committee, hearing on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (2:25) and the democratic on full public display (6:45). Senator Washington discusses some of the outcomes from the hearing (10:20) and then shares some of her own legislative priorities for Session 2020 (13:00). The conversation turns to Baltimore City. Arinze asks, “What will it take to fix Baltimore’s issues?” which opens the door to a lengthy discussion about crime and and the cynicism that has taken root in the City (25:30). The episode closes with an exchange about “hope” and the impact an effort to expand access to opportunity would have on Baltimore (42:20).

ft. Senator Mary Washington (D-Baltimore City). The podcast opens with a recap of the historic 6-hour, 4-committee, hearing on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (2:25) and the democratic on full public display (6:45). Senator Washington discusses some of the outcomes from the hearing (10:20) and then shares some of her own legislative priorities for Session 2020 (13:00). The conversation turns to Baltimore City. Arinze asks, “What will it take to fix Baltimore’s issues?” which opens the door to a lengthy discussion about crime and and the cynicism that has taken root in the City (25:30). The episode closes with an exchange about “hope” and the impact an effort to expand access to opportunity would have on Baltimore (42:20).