The midterms were a turning point in the political season, all thanks to voters like you turning out to the polls. In today’s bonus episode, A’shanti sits down with Tamara Wilds Lawson, the Movement, Issue, and Charitable Organizations (MICO) Director at ActBlue. They discuss the midterms, grassroots momentum, and the issues that get people out to vote. Thanks to our sponsor ActBlue. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

A Conversation with ActBlue’s Tamara Wilds Lawson

It’s election day: the time to exercise our constitutional right to vote. While it should be simple to cast a ballot, it's often not. And that’s not by accident. The Black vote has never truly been protected, and many states are passing new legislation to actively suppress Black votes. In BGG’s Season 9 finale, A’shanti welcomes back previous guest LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. Together, they lay out the various forces at play in our country that contribute to voter suppression, and discuss why building political power and embracing community is so vital when it comes to turning the political tides. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Uplifting the Black Vote with LaTosha Brown

Though many view it as an ugly relic of the past, violence against Black and brown folks is still a massive problem in the United States. A’shanti brings on Melanie Campbell, the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, to talk about the racial violence epidemic in our country. Much of Melanie’s work centers civil rights and social justice with a focus on building Black political power. They discuss the opportunity that the upcoming midterms present to vote in leaders who are vocal about ending the cycles of violence impacting our communities, and why police reform is so needed.AB:ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

America’s Inescapable Racial Violence Problem

Not only is the classroom the gateway to education, it’s also the first place we learn about ourselves. Growing up, so many Black and brown kids learn not just about math and science, but about racism, microaggressions, and the world through the biases kids – and teachers – bring into the classroom. Lately, conservatives have been buzzing with complaints about the books children are being taught and critical race theory brainwashing children. This politicization of education is rooted in white supremacy. To understand what’s happening in classrooms today, A’shanti talks to parent and educator Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera who is the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at her local school district.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Investing in the Future through Education

Here's a special episode from the Pushkin podcast Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso. Every week on Talk Easy, Sam invites an activist, artist, or politician to come to the table and speak from the heart – in ways you probably haven't heard from them before. Today, you'll hear his new conversation with Congresswoman Cori Bush. They unpack the state of the Democratic party, Bush's powerful new memoir, The Forerunner, her upbringing and activism in St. Louis, the Congresswoman's tireless fight for police reform and mental health resources, and much more. Hear more of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/tecoribgg. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

BONUS: From Talk Easy: Reimagining Politics with Congresswoman Cori Bush

Gun violence is a uniquely American problem that has only gotten worse in recent years. In 2020, there were nearly 50,000 gun related deaths in the United States. However, in June 2022, gun violence prevention advocates saw a victory when President Biden signed into law the first major piece of gun safety legislation that Congress has passed in nearly thirty years. A’shanti sits down to discuss the gun violence epidemic with Monisha Henley, the Managing Director of State Government Affairs at Everytown, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. They break down this year’s legislative win and what it leaves unaddressed. With the midterm elections just around the corner, they emphasize the importance of voting in gun sense candidates and holding not only individuals but also the gun industry accountable. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

A Uniquely American Problem: the Gun Violence Epidemic

Immigrants are a huge part of what makes America…America. And in recent months, we’ve seen an increasing number of  immigrants arrive at our southern border, many of them fleeing violence and persecution to claim asylum in the United States. A’shanti speaks with immigration attorney Katherine Ventura of the Capital Area Immigrant Rights (CAIR) Coalition about the complexities of doing her job in a country that denies the humanity and rights of so many immigrants. They talk about Title 42 and the “Remain in Mexico” policy and discuss the reasons  immigrants need AND deserve legal representation.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Immigrant Rights are Human Rights

The economy impacts all of us, but economic issues disproportionately impact Black and brown women. In this episode, A’shanti speaks with organizer Hope Wollensack, who is the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity (GRO) Fund, an organization that advances solutions to racial and economic injustice. In their conversation, A’shanti and Hope discuss universal basic income, break down the racist myth of the “welfare queen,” and get into how giving money directly to Black women can positively impact various outcomes in their lives.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Let’s Give Money to Black Women

Youth climate activist Nalleli Cobo grew up in South Central Los Angeles across the street from a toxic oil drilling site. From a young age, she experienced headaches, nosebleeds, asthma, body spasms, and at age 19, she was diagnosed with cancer. Alongside her mother, she began attending meetings and going door-to-door to spread information about the dangers of oil extraction and in 2020, she successfully shut down the drilling site in her neighborhood. In this episode, Nalleli and A’shanti discuss how Nalleli went from being a shy girl to a powerful climate activist, the horrors of environmental racism, and Nalleli’s hopes for the future of the climate movement. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

The Truth About Environmental Racism

The overturning of Roe v. Wade was one of the most sensational events of the year, though not for the better. In the season 9 premiere, A’shanti sits down with Oriaku Njoku, the new executive director for the National Network for Abortion Funds to talk about what’s next following the fall of this landmark decision. They delve into the reasons abortion is healthcare, the importance of Black women’s voices at the forefront of the reproductive justice movement, and why it’s time for a radical reimagining of Roe. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Rebuilding the House: A Post-Roe Conversation

It’s been quite a year for voters. From the overturn of Roe v Wade, to spiking inflation rates, to ever-increasing violence against our communities, the decisions we make at the polls are as important as ever. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Season 9 is here to steer listeners through the most pressing decisions this election season.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram

Midterm Matters: BGG Season 9

Well, here we are. We're on the other side of what we've been talking about for years. Roe v. Wade has been struck down, and for the first time in our lifetime, abortion is no longer protected.In our first episode, Kate and Jamia talk to folks who've been living, and working, and surviving, in a state where abortion access has been under fire for years, even before Roe fell -- Kentucky. To learn more about the Kentucky Health Justice Network, click here.  Our sponsor, ActBlue, has tools to help you support local reproductive justice groups or abortion funds by either donating directly or creating your own fundraising form. These forms can be shared far and wide with your own personal networks, and allows for quick and easy donation asks that go directly to your groups of choice.Take action today. Click HERE to find and support reproductive justice groups at every level.

BONUS: Ordinary Equality — Hanging On to a Future

Thanks to our sponsor, Fair Fight Action. Fair Fight Action’s social media channels are:Twitter: @fairfightactionFacebook: @fairfightactionInstagram: @fairfightactionAnd Civics for the Culture, FFA's youth voter educational series can be found at:Instagram: @civicsforusTikTok: @civicswithchelseyThe Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram 

Eyes on Georgia: A Conversation with Fair Fight Action

Given the Supreme Court leak, we're bringing you a bonus episode from the show Ordinary Equality. Executive Producer Jenny Kaplan sat down with OE Hosts Kate Kelly and Jamia Wilson to talk about what comes next in a post-Roe v. Wade world.

BONUS: Ordinary Equality — The End of Roe v. Wade

Follow Isha Sesay on Twitter and Instagram. 

Introducing...The Accidental Activist!

Welcome to The Brown Girls Guide to Politics -- the one stop shop for women of color who want to hear and talk about the world of politics. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. Episodes include interviews with politicians, candidates, and influencers. Get ready for roundtables, analyzing current events, and more!

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The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

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