The Zag

2020 NLC LA Fellows Michael Deegan-McCree and Sean Angst join The Zag to discuss the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia earlier this year. We talk about the history of lynching, what white people must do to move beyond allyship, and how we begin to undo racist policies like Stand Your Ground.

Cairo Eubanks, NLC Broward County 2020 Fellow, recently competed in her first pageant in March and was crowned Miss Broward County 2020 as a Miss America Local Titleholder. A big part of the reason she decided to compete was to become more engaged within her community especially after being surrounded by likeminded progressive leaders within her NLC Cohort. Hear her story on this latest episode of The Zag.

New Leaders Council Board Chair Emeritus Chris Kelly joins The Zag to talk about the probability of the NBA season resuming and what Facebook is doing to support relief efforts during COVID (and keep out bunk medical science). Plus, parenting in COVID times. Don't miss it.

As Executive Director of Sakhi for South Asian Women, Kavita Mehra, NLC New Jersey 2013 Fellow, is on the frontlines ensuring that domestic violence survivors’ basic needs are met during this unstable moment.

The fallout from COVID-19 disproportionately affects Sakhi's clients who are overwhelmingly immigrant women of color with little to no income—and if employed, often in hourly wage work in service jobs that are being decimated by growing social distancing requirements. Sakhi is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 related calls from existing clients who are losing jobs, facing food and housing insecurity, and experiencing pressure to allow abusers back into their homes—violating orders of protection. These setbacks are also creating mounting levels of anxiety and depression among clients, taxing the organization's mental health services.

In response, Sakhi has modified all of their core services to maintain continuity of support for clients; expanded their Food Justice Program to address rising food insecurity; and expanded their Client Emergency Assistance Program to provide immediate help to clients in crisis.

Through the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, Jonathan Richardson, NLC Capital District NY 2016 Fellow, launched the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund in partnership with our local United Way to rapidly deploy financial resources to nonprofits on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Behind the scenes, Jonathan created the grant application infrastructure online to make it accessible for all nonprofits, assisted in raising over $800,000 for the fund, and managed the communications and marketing about the response fund, which has distributed over $650,000 in grants so far. Don't miss this episode where he shares details about how he did it.

Marlin Jenkins, NLC Maryland 2016 Fellow, a member of the Maryland National Guard, has been activated to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a Lieutenant Colonel, he is a senior logistics officer in charge of acquiring and distributing PPE to Soldiers conducting COVID-19 screening sites and distributing meals throughout Maryland. When not on military duty, as the community liaison to Delegate Wanika Fisher, Esq (D-47B) he is volunteering to distribute supplies to his neighbors in Hyattsville, MD.

Great episode. Check it out.

Hernán Carvente Martinez, NLC NYC 2016 Fellow, is working with leaders across the U.S. through the #FreeOurYouth to demand that governors in all 50 states release youth from juvenile facilities to protect incarcerated children against COVID-19. Don't miss this important and inspiring episode.

Founding NLC San Antonio Board Member Andrew Solano joins The Zag for Mental Health Awareness Month. In COVID times as much as any time, he reminds us it's incredibly important to prioritize your mental wellbeing and push through any stigmas one may have about seeking out help. Inspiring stuff. Don't miss it.

Craig Montuori, NLC Silicon Valley 2016 Fellow, is on the leadership team of the C19 Coalition, which is bringing crucial partners together to help build an efficient, unified supply chain for PPE and lifesaving medical devices. He walks us through this vital enterprise and also shares details of his actual day job. Don't miss it.

2020 NLC South TX Frontera Fellow Amanda Dave joins The Zag to talk healthcare services and support in Brownsville, TX. Plus, we learn what it was like to be in the inaugural class of NLC Fellows for the STX Frontera chapter. Don't miss it.