#SundayCivics

In an enlightening conversation on Sunday Civics, L. Joy brings Cliff

Albright, co-founder and Executive Director of Black Voters Matter Fund, to

the front of the class to explore the depths of Black civic engagement and

the pivotal role it plays in shaping democracy, particularly in the South.

Through their spirited dialogue, they delve into the history, challenges,

and triumphs of mobilizing Black voters, underscoring the significance of

understanding and leveraging political power within Black communities.

In this episode L. Joy welcomes special guest Kat Calvin back to the front of the class. Kat is the founder and executive director of Spread The Vote + Project ID and the cofounder and CEO of the Project ID Action Fund.

Kat Calvin is the author of "American Identity Crisis: Notes from an Accidental Activist," where she shares her experience at the front line of social activism in America, emphasizing the complexities of getting an ID in the U.S. and how social media has played an important role in her activism.

The death penalty does not deter crime yet 39 states still commit the barbaric practice. Although in recent polls Americans believe the death penalty is applied unfairly, most are still in favor of the practice. To tackle this controversial topic, L. Joy brings Jamila Hodge, the Executive Director of Equal Justice USA, to the front of the class to delve into the social, racial, and economic disparities prevalent in its administration, the historical context, and potential alternative paths to justice.

Managers, consultants, vendors, and field teams oh my! Candidates need staff to run their campaign once they’ve decided to vie for office. But, who are these people? How are they chosen? Where do they come from? Do prominent roles go only to folks L. Joy describes as “the khaki boys?” To break down what it takes to produce a political campaign, L. Joy brings Daniel Laurison to the front of the #SundayCivics class.

The importance of public education can never be overstated. Yet, even with reforms, public education falls short of benefiting the communities they are supposed to serve. What could happen if the public is given more than just a seat at the table, but an active part to play in partnership with educators in creating a promise fulfilling educational system? L. Joy brings Drs. Landon Mascareñaz and Doannie Tran to the front of the class to break down how an open education system works.

There is the trash we throw away like plastics, styrofoam, cardboard and paper. There is the waste from humans as well as animals and the like. How we manage these things with sanitation, or don’t manage them properly, has effects on the environment, people’s health, and a myriad of other issues. To have this conversation on sanitation, because we aren't going to produce less waste anytime soon, making this issue an imperative, L. Joy brings professor Colin McFarlane to the front of the class.

Work. We do it, but how do we strike the delicate balance between worker's rights and employer's responsibilities? L. Joy brings London-based researcher and senior lecturer, Dr. Jamie Woodcock to the front of the class to discuss the history of, context around, changes in, and future of work.

In every city, state, and municipality, there are community meetings that are held where the things that affect your everyday life and how your tax dollars are spent, are discussed…and you may not be there! Getting people civically engaged is L. Joy’s reason for creating #SundayCivics so she is bringing Derrick Cain and Julie Christie to the front of the class to discuss how their organization, Resolve Philly, is using the Documenters program to get folks engaged around local government.

The coronavirus pandemic taught us many things. The expansion of The Child Tax Credit, SNAP, and stimulus checks etc. brought child poverty, according to the US Census, to a record low of 5.4%. As of 2021 the child poverty rate has skyrocketed to 16.9% with the rollback of that aid. What we can garner from this is child poverty, as L. Joy states, is a political choice and reflection of our values. To take us to church on understanding child poverty, help us think through actions and solutions, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson joins L. Joy at the front of the class.

On episode 227, L. Joy took a deep look at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) but what does it look like out in the real world when applied? Leon Russell, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, joins L. Joy at the front of the class to explain exactly what DEI looks like in practice, engaging young people to ensure they are prepared, and the work of legacy organizations today.