Every time we are near an election, it feels like the outreach to Black voters is particularly lackluster, then after the election, we play the voter blame game. To discuss organizing on the ground 365 days a year and share strategies on inspiration, L. Joy brings a plaintiff in the redistricting case before the Supreme Court Merrill v. Milligan, Evan Milligan to the front of the class.

L. Joy created #SundayCivics with the goal to teach civic education through the lens of our current political climate, and aims to give listeners the necessary history and context on political issues and inspire them to get engaged at all levels of government. Guests include issue advocates, elected officials, academics, and everyday citizens. For this milestone of 200th episode, the unparalleled Dr. Greg Carr is joining her at the front of the class for a master class in #Civics.

Everyday we use data to change or alter our behaviors. But can we use data to correct the wrongs of the past policies that have created the Black wealth gap of today? Where do we find that data? L. Joy brings Garnesha Ezedario, lead of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initative, and Gary Cunningham, CEO & President of Prosperity Now, to the front of the class to discuss their collaboration which uses data to help accelerate the rate of Black wealth accumulation.

What do you get when two noted political strategists get together for a conversation? You get what you need to motivate you to get engaged around issues that matter to you-from knowing your political values, to voting, to even running for office. L. Joy brings A’shanti Gholar to the front of the class to discuss politics, family, and the Power Rising conference.

When you show up at your polling place, ready to cast your very important vote, it is important to read all the way down the ballot (even flip it over to make sure you do not miss anything). There may be ballot measures/initiatives that will affect your life either positively or negatively that you need to vote on. L. Joy brings Sister District’s Lala Wu to the front of the class to discuss the power of State Legislatures and importance of voting on ballot measures/initiatives.

It’s a new season! It’s a new day and L. Joy is reminding us that we must pay attention to more than the happenings on the Federal level, there are actions happening locally. This September, time to get our strategies together, get set to visit with our elected officials, and go to work. To help with strategy and tips for lobbying for our communities, L. Joy revisits her interview with New York State lobbyist Jacqui Williams.

There is a “Great Resignation” and folks are leaving their jobs. There are not enough good jobs to go around. People are lazy and do not want to work. There are many statements made around work, but are they correct? L. Joy begins our ongoing conversation Work and what it has to do with civics, by discussing work and our young people ages 16-24, and how we get them into the employment pipeline, with Marjorie Parker at the front of the class.

Space exploration and civics. What do they have in common? The government! NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) receives our tax dollars through Congress and they do a lot with that money! They launched the James Webb Telescope (Webb), which compliments and extends discoveries by the Hubble Telescope, in December of 2021 and the first pictures are in! L. Joy is one of the first people to see the pictures before they were released to the world. To discuss NASA and Webb, L. Joy brings Gregory Robinson and Michelle Jones to the front of the class.

L. Joy has been on a mission to get us to understand the nuts and bolts of how the government works. One thing a lot of folks probably are not clear on is ballot access. Ballot access are the rules that manage how candidates are able to appear on voters' ballots. To break down the particulars on ballot access, L. Joy brings political analyst Richard Winger to the front of the class.

Episode after episode, L. Joy gives us the tools to do the work needed to help bring about change. From one of the first shows “You Have No Constitutional Right to Vote,” to “What to Do After You Lose,” to “Biden Won, Now What?,” and all the episodes in between, the through line has-been we always have work to do! This episode, L. Joy brings back her thoroughest girls, Lurie Daniel Favors and June Moses, to have a frank conversation on THE WORK and what needs to be done starting now to right our collective ship.