Politics and Black Families with Rafielle

Meet Amelia Siamomua: A Leader Ready to Make a Difference

He's a retired urological surgeon who dedicated his career to relieving pain and suffering, always driven by a deep mission to make the world a better place, one patient at a time. Since graduating from medical school in 1983, Dr. Zisholtz, or 'Dr. Z' as he's known, has been a pillar of the medical community, practicing mostly in Riverdale and East Point, Georgia.

Likisha "Kiche" Griffin is a Creative Producer and Consultant specializing in brand development for art professionals and independent filmmakers.

Griffin has worked with award-winning visual producer Sheila Pree Bright on branding strategies for #1960Now digital campaigns. She is Co-Producer of Bright’s art film #1960Now: Art + Intersections and an essay contributor to #1960Now, the book, published by Chronicle Books.

Griffin also has worked with museums and art organizations. She is an essay contributor to Prospect 4 New Orleans, a citywide triennial of contemporary art curated by Artistic Director Trevor Schoonmaker. Her contribution to the exhibition catalogue honors the legacy work of MacArthur Fellow John T. Scott.

During her tenure at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum (Smithsonian Affiliate) — she was Community Engagement Curator of  Devin Allen: Awakenings in a New Lights. She was also the curatorial assistant of  Ruth Starr Rose (1887-1965): Revelations of African American Life in Maryland and the World, curated by Art Historian Barbara Paca, Ph.D. The exhibition was sponsored by Brown Capital Management and featured on ancestry.com

On this episode of Politics and Black Families, we welcome The Brown Family—a dynamic household of current and future political leaders. We dive into Atlanta’s political landscape, including Sheriff Brown’s run for office and the challenges facing Fulton County Jail. We also celebrate Mrs. Brown’s incredible journey to earning her PhD from Harvard and explore the impact of the conflict in Darfur. Plus, we highlight their son’s exciting first year at Morehouse College. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about leadership, education, and the fight for change

Excited to welcome Rashaun Kemp, a powerhouse in education and community leadership, to our show! Join us as we discuss the impact of Black and Brown charter school leaders and the importance of community involvement. Hosted by Rafielle Kirkland, this episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about politics and Black families.

Gabriel Sanchez's focuses on advocating for affordable housing, healthcare for all, and worker's rights, striving to create a better Georgia for everyday people. Raised in Cobb County, Gabriel draws from his personal experiences in an immigrant family, emphasizing the importance of community. He rejects corporate PAC money and supports policies that put people over profits, aiming to uplift working families who struggle with issues like rent, childcare, and healthcare costs.

We spoke with Duvwon Robinson about his journey growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, and how he overcame the challenges of the crack epidemic. Now, he's channeling his resilience into a run for public office.

Duvwon was raised on the northwest side of Atlanta in Bowen Homes, a public housing project that was once a symbol of the city's struggle. He knows firsthand the impact of limited access to essential resources and information. Despite numerous attempts by city leaders to engage the community, Duvwon feels that genuine change requires more than just dialogue—it requires giving citizens a true seat at the table.

His vision for a better Atlanta is rooted in returning to the basics: addressing watershed and waste management issues, enhancing public safety, and ensuring livable wages for all City of Atlanta employees.

Duvwon embodies the spirit of Atlanta—challenging the status quo and striving for excellence. He proudly declares, "I am From Atlanta, For Atlanta.

We discuss how she became a nuclear engineer and why she's running for office in Georgia.

Dr. Biegalski has a Ph.D. as well as a professional engineering license in nuclear engineering. She has work experience in classified government-sponsored work, academic research, and in the educational field. Dr. Biegalski is passionate about education, and has decades of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities from kindergarten through graduate level college courses. In addition, she has given highly technical and specialized training and other knowledge building presentations to both experts and laypersons to local as well as international audiences. Dr. Biegalski has managed both professional and academic project teams during her career. Due to her work and volunteer efforts at Dekalb County polling places and her work with election integrity groups, she is familiar with Georgia elections, laws, procedures, and the voter roll database. She volunteers her time in educational, business, and religious settings and enjoys performing Irish dance