The Zag

2021 NLC Chicago Fellow Tonyisha Harris joins The Zag to talk about climate justice and organizing youth in this country and worldwide to create the change we need. Learn more at the site below about  Action For the Climate Emergency.

https://acespace.org/

Nick Guthman, 2022 NLC Los Angeles Fellow, is a progressive political organizer based in his hometown of Los Angeles. Nick consults on various projects as a Partner at Democracy Partners, a national progressive political consulting firm, including digital and social media organizing, cultural organizing & creative advocacy, policy research and communications, community outreach and coalition building and talent/staff recruitment. On this episode, Nick also shares details about Blue Future, the largest youth-led, progressive political action committee in America. Blue Future envisions a world where no matter our color or origin, our income or zip code, desire and determination are the only things getting in the way of young people’s ability to push for a transformative and progressive agenda.

Learn more at: https://ourbluefuture.us/

Ever wondered how campaigns and progressive movement-building organizations get their data? Or what do they do with it once they have it? More importantly, how does all this strengthen our democracy, help achieve progressive electoral victories, and build power for Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, other marginalized groups, and working-class Americans?

Matt Mawhinney, 2016 NLC Miami Fellow, joins The Zag to answer these questions and more.

He is involved with Introduction  to Progressive Data, which is a free, 40-hour course covering some of the  foundational tools and analytical frameworks in progressive data that will help you answer the questions above and launch a career in the progressive data and technology space.

Apply for the course today! The application deadline is April 10th. Learn more and apply at generationdata.org/ipd

Rhiannon Cook, 2015 NLC Pittsburgh Fellows, returns to The Zag to share more about her latest venture: working on  Black Maternal Health through a program called Spora Mommas. The organization is a virtual doula-led maternal support service designed to center Black joy and well-being throughout the maternal journey. Check it out!

Anna Gouker, NLC Wisconsin alumni and founder of The Rage Fund, was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic condition that requires them to use motorized wheelchairs and ventilators. In 2011 Anna earned her Master’s degree in rehabilitation psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today she serves as the Outreach Coordinator for AchieveAbilities, whose mission is to empower people to achieve their highest potential by fulfilling employment, financial and personal goals.

Support her work by visiting The Rage Fund Website: jointherage.org

2017 NLC Atlanta Fellow Brenda Lopez Romero joins The Zag to share her memories of NLC Institute and more. Brenda is Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit leading the Justice and Community Initiative. Brenda was the first American Latina elected to the Georgia General Assembly where she sat on the Education, Retirement, and State Planning and Community Affairs committees. She is the Chairwoman for the Gwinnett County Democratic Party and is a raising star in Georgia politics. Don't miss it.

2022 NLC San Antonio Fellow Zachary Espericueta stops by to talk about his increasingly popular podcast network. Amplifying the Voices of the Alamo City through insightful interviews and candid discussions, The SA Talk series provides local happenings, candid conversations and thought-provoking discussions that are relevant to San Antonio. Guests are occasionally invited to share their insight and opinions on the matter being discussed. The Searching for San Antonio series showcases the local community by interviewing many of the wonderful small business owners, non-profit leaders, and influential people that the city has to offer. New episodes are available bi-weekly on Mondays. Find them at: Twitter/IG/Facebook: @SAPodNetwork

Activist, writer, and speaker Emily Ladau, 2021 NLC New York Fellow, joins The Zag to talk about her work as a disability advocate. Author of the book Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally, Emily talks about why it was important to her to write an approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people and to write actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) to make the world a more accessible, inclusive place.

Learn more about her work here: 

https://emilyladau.com/book/https://www.theaccessiblestall.com/

We caught up with Ernest Levert Jr, a 2021 NLC Columbus Fellow, to learn more about what he created for his NLC Capstone project. Called the Cooperative Chess Cultural Center (4C- "the fork"), his project focuses on the art of chess making while using the wisdom of chess to protect, heal, and build community. Youth and community members  have the opportunity to not only learn and play chess, but also learn how to make their own chess equipment, while gaining exposure to community makers, artists, and leaders. Super interesting conversation. Learn more at: theroichess.org

Renée Menart, 2021 NLC San Francisco Fellow, is a passionate advocate for youth impacted by the legal system. She serves as a policy analyst at the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ), a local community-based organization whose mission is to reduce reliance on incarceration as a solution to social problems. She's also a recently published children's book author.

Demetri Makes a Memory Quilt is a heartwarming children’s book that tells the story of a young boy whose mom is in prison. With the help of his family, he embarks on a creative healing process and explores ways to connect with his mom. The book was inspired by the author’s career fostering early childhood literacy and alternatives to incarceration. Grab a copy wherever you get your books.