The Ask

Policy, policy, policy. We hear all the time from politicians and non-profits about how they plan to influence or change policy. But what does that really mean? And how can it impact your life? In this episode, Jasmine Burton sat down with Michael McAfee and Ashleigh Gardere, Vice President and President of PolicyLink, a national research and action institution working to build a future where everyone can prosper, to talk about policy change: the fine art of convincing the world to stop doing things the hard way.

In this episode, we're tackling a question that's as old as time: How do you stand up to injustice without burning out or getting stuck in the cycle of systemic inequality? Because let's face it: the status quo isn't going to change itself, and neither are we. Listen in to hear Jasmine Burton sit down with Rashad Robinson, President of Color of Change - an organization that's leading the charge of fighting back against racial injustice, inequality, and unfairness - to discuss how we can hold companies accountable, tactics we can use to make an impact, and how we can all work together to create systemic change.

Emmett Till's story is a harrowing part of American history. And although his tragic story shook the nation, his legacy continues to resonate, reminding us of the deep injustices that have shaped our past as a society, while also inspiring the ongoing efforts to combat racism and promote equality today. In this episode, Elliot Williams and Jasmine Burton sit down with Chris Benson, President of the Emmett Till Institute, to discuss how we can educate young people on the tragedy of Emmett Till's murder, his place in U.S. history, and how the lessons learned from his tragedy can prevent instances of injustice in the future.

The attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are telling us something - we are winning! The opposition's efforts to dismantle DEI only highlight its impact and its affirmation of every person's humanity. Join us for a special episode of The Ask, where we dive into conversations about these attacks, their implications, and the opportunities they present. Whitney Tome, Managing Director at Raben, is in conversation with Dr. Sesha Joi Moon - Former Chief Diversity Officer for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 117th and 118th Congresses, Chief Strategist for Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and DEI Executive-in-Residence with the American Pride Rises Network - to discuss dissolution the DEI Office in the U.S. House, the current political landscape, and what is possible going forward. 

These past two election cycles have really put the LGBTQ+ community in the spotlight. And in this episode we're diving into why having LGBTQ individuals in elected positions isn't just important—it's essential. Because let's face it, when it comes to democracy, diversity isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the secret ingredient. Tune in for a conversation about the importance and necessity of centering the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as the critical role that these individuals play in our society with Sean Meloy and Mayor Annise Parker from the Victory Fund, the only national organization devoted to electing pro-equality, pro-choice LGBTQ+ leaders to public office at every level.

The attacks that seek to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are only demonstrating one thing - we are winning. One of Raben's Managing Principals, Whitney Tome sits down with Karen Finney - CNN Political Analyst, Political Strategist, and the Co-founder of Rise United - to discuss reframing the narrative on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Given her sophisticated understanding of communications and trends, Karen discusses how a shift to an abundance mindset, leveraging the insights of the youth, and applying constant pressure will continue to transform our society. Join us for a conversation about how to change societal culture to continue to advance equality.

Enfranchising marginalized communities in a political system that has continually held them back is no small feat and Tides is taking that challenge head on. In this episode, Jasmine Burton sits down with Janiece Evans-Page, CEO of Tides, a leading force in advancing social justice and shifting resources to the communities that need them most. Join us for a conversation where we dive into the vital needs of creating and maintaining an inclusive democracy during this pivotal election cycle, Tides' approach to driving policy and systems change, and how they are working to ensure that the voices of underrepresented communities are amplified and empowered in the political process.

Day one at the DNC kicked off with exciting energy, surprising moments, and bold speeches that set the stage for what's to come. In this episode, Jeremy Paris, Jasmine Burton, and Elliot Williams break down the highlights, the lowlights, and everything in between—plus, what you need to know to stay ahead of the curve for the next few days of the DNC. Grab your popcorn, because this DNC is shaping up to be one for the history books!

The Republican National Convention just wrapped up in Milwaukee, and our panel of Raben insiders, Jasmine Burton, Elliot Williams, and Jeremy Paris, are here to unpack what they saw. Who was the convention for? How did it land? Who is even going to be running against each other in November? Has Donald Trump finished giving his speech yet? Politics comes at you fast, so take a quick moment to find out where we are and where we go from here with The Ask.

TikTok has been downloaded 4.7 billion times worldwide and over 220 million times in the US alone. But despite its popularity, the US recently enacted a law that gives tik tok 270 days to sell or it will be prohibited in the US. On our most recent episode, Jasmine and Morgan sit down with Elizabeth Booker Houston - a government lawyer by day and massively popular TikTok influencer by night whose videos range from clips of her stand-up comedy routines to interviews with political stars like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Tune in to hear us discuss the misinformation surrounding the law, whether or not tik tok will actually sell, and the implications if it does.