Pod for the Cause

S07 E12: Building an America as Good as It’s Ideals: A Year in Review Dec 17, 2024

When season seven started in January of 2024, we set out to explore the progress and challenges in building a more equitable society. Anchored by milestone anniversaries -- Brown v. Board of Education (70th), Freedom Summer (60th), and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (60th) -- we discussed judicial diversity, justice reform, education, and voting rights, among other issues. Reflecting on these themes months later, we see glimmers of progress but are reminded that the work of building an America as good as its ideals is far from linear. This episode will consider what’s been accomplished in about a year’s time since our earlier podcast conversations this season. We will also discuss the work that remains with Leadership Conference advocates who work tirelessly to push the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

S07 E11: We Are Still The Majority: A Post-Election Conversation Nov 20, 2024

In this episode, we dive into the post-election political and policy landscape, analyzing how recent election outcomes will impact the future of civil rights in America. Our guest experts will discuss anticipated agendas from the White House and 119th Congress. They will unpack the major policy shifts, exploring potential executive and legislative actions that may impact voting rights, reproductive rights, criminal legal reform, and other civil rights. Guests will consider the potential for new alliances, as well as emerging divisions within Congress and between the executive and legislative branches. As we discuss the challenges and opportunities facing civil rights advocates in this new era, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what lies ahead for the nation.

S07 E10: Part 2 – Protecting the Right to Vote Oct 29, 2024

In this episode, we sit down with Khalid Pitts, Executive Vice Preside of Campaigns and Programs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, to discuss the "And Still I Vote" campaign. Just days out from presidential election, Pod for the Cause continues the conversation about protecting and preserving the right to vote. We discuss the origin story of "And Still I Vote", which is an effort to show up for our communities, claim our power, and realize the full promise of our democracy. We explore "And Still I Vote’s" present-day efforts to fight against voting discrimination, empower disenfranchised communities, and protect the integrity of our democratic process. Ultimately, "And Still I Vote" plays a critical role in ensuring that every voice is heard in our political process and that civil rights, freedom, and democracy anchor our society.

S07 E10: Protecting the Vote, Preserving Democracy Oct 11, 2024

With the historic and high stakes 2024 presidential election upon us, Americans must be vigilant in protecting their right to vote. Modern day voter suppression takes on various forms. It can look like voter roll purges, which often disenfranchise people of color and other marginalized groups. It can be the dangerous spread of misinformation and disinformation, which aims to confuse or deter voters from participating. This episode explores how these tactics have been used in recent elections and equips listeners with education and resources to recognize voter suppression campaigns. We sit down with voting rights and democracy experts one-on-one to get the latest. By staying informed and engaged, Americans will ensure that their vote counts in this critical election and that our democracy is preserved.

S07 E09: Civil Rights Act at 60 and Project 2025 Sep 26, 2024

This episode commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reflecting on its profound impact in dismantling legalized segregation, securing voting rights, and expanding protections against discrimination. It explores the victories it represented for marginalized communities and how it catalyzed further reforms in education, housing, and employment. As we celebrate this anniversary, however, we also dive into the ongoing challenges to civil rights. We examine new threats to a fair and equitable democracy from initiatives like Project 2025—an extremist agenda and wish list for a conservative administration that seeks to roll back vital civil rights protections. With attacks on affirmative action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and reproductive justice on the rise, we highlight the persistent inequalities and barriers to justice that remain. We discuss the history, the setbacks, and the continued urgency to defend and expand civil rights in today’s politically polarized landscape.

S07 E08: Freedom Summer at 60: The Fight for Voting Rights Continues Jul 26, 2024

In this episode commemorating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, we delve into the pivotal 1964 campaign that aimed to register African American voters in Mississippi and the Deep South and challenge systemic racial barriers. We will explore the courageous efforts of activists, the profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing struggle for voting rights in America. Through conversation with advocates and activists, as well as historians and academics, we will reflect on the legacy of Freedom Summer and its relevance today in the fight for a more equitable democracy. This episode will honor the past and address the continuing quest for justice and equality through the ballot.

S07 E07: Music and the Movement Jun 07, 2024

June has been designated a month of awareness for several civil rights causes and constituencies. From LGBTQ Pride and Stonewall to Caribbean American Heritage and Juneteenth, the month reminds us of our ongoing efforts to achieve an America as good as its ideals. And as June is also designated Black Music Appreciation Month, we know that whatever the civil rights fight, music has been the soundtrack and a catalyst for change. Gospel’s freedom songs like "We Shall Overcome" gave voice to the struggle for racial equality in the 1950s and 60s, accompanying marches, rallies, and sit-ins. Today, hip hop music has become a powerful medium for championing the underserved and holding the powerful accountable on issues like police violence. This episode will explore music as a tool for resilience, solidarity, and activism as we advance all movements for justice and equality.

S07 E06: Brown v. Board at 70: Still Separate, Still Unequal May 07, 2024

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, this podcast episode delves into the sobering reality that, sixty years later, American schools remain starkly separate and profoundly unequal. Despite the Supreme Court's historic declaration against racial segregation in 1954, data reveals a troubling trend: over half of the nation’s students find themselves in racially concentrated districts, where segregation persists, and educational resources vary widely along racial and socioeconomic lines. Data also shows that as our Black and Brown students are denied educational opportunities, they are disproportionately represented within the criminal legal system, demonstrating a school to prison pipeline. As such, upon the anniversary of Brown, we must reckon with our separate and unequal history that continues to plague us today and determine how we reach the promise of educational equality. This episode serves as a critical reminder that the fight for equal education is far from over and urgent action is needed to address the ongoing legacy of segregation in our schools.

S07 E05: Building a Diverse Judiciary Mar 05, 2024

For our courts to work for all of us, our judges should reflect and represent the diversity of our society. Federal courts have been slow to include judges of color, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and judges from varied legal backgrounds, including those with civil rights experience. However, recent judicial appointments are changing that. Newly confirmed judges have broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings by desegregating courts that have never had a judge of color or a judge from their background serve before. And nearly half of the lifetime confirmations during this administration have been former public defenders, civil rights lawyers, and others who have dedicated a significant portion of their careers to protecting civil and human rights. We must build upon this success. For example, we need more federal judges who are Latino/a, judges with known disabilities, judges who are LGBTQ+, judges who are Native American, and judges with experience in civil and human rights. This episode will consider how we achieve meaningful demographic and professional diversity among our nation’s judges. It will explore how diversity on the bench leads to fairer decisions, increased confidence in our legal system, and a stronger democracy.

S07 E04: The State of Black Lives Feb 16, 2024

February is Black History Month and an opportunity to consider the state of the Movement for Black Lives. Last year, we observed the 10-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death, which compelled three Black women to turn a Black Lives Matter hashtag into a social movement. And this year marks the 10-year anniversary of the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, which renewed demands for police accountability and reform across the country. In the decade since, we have come to “say their names” and many more, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. This episode will discuss the progress and evolution of the Movement For Black Lives, which is not only taking on police violence, but other inequities impacting Black lives, such as health disparities and economic insecurity.

S07 E03: Centering Civil Rights in Technology Feb 01, 2024

Technology is an integral part of our everyday lives. Thanks to technological advances, there are increased connections and efficiencies around how we learn, work, and play. However, technology, like every other aspect of our society, can perpetuate harms and inequities if we are not intentional around its development and implementation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the perfect example of technology that could benefit humankind but is causing great harm through discrimination and disinformation. As we witnessed in recent elections, AI has been used to continue election interference tactics. And certainly, there are significant concerns around the way that AI will be used in the high stakes 2024 presidential election. In response to these concerns, last fall, the Leadership Conference established the Center on Civil Rights and Technology to anchor emerging and existing technology in civil rights. This episode will explore the latest tech and civil rights happenings, focusing on AI and misinformation. We will also introduce the Center and its work to ensure civil rights and technology go hand in hand.

S07 E02: Attacks on the Dream: Dr. King’s Legacy Today Jan 17, 2024

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in January, we are provided with an opportunity to discuss the state of Dr. King’s dream at this moment. Over the years, Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech has been weaponized to push for a colorblind society; and this year will be no exception. In fact, given the recent dismantling of affirmative action in higher education by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the constant legal and legislative attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, the opportunity and equality envisioned by Dr. King stands to be dismantled. This episode will discuss the attacks on civil rights that impact our communities in all areas of education, from K-12 to higher education, as well as the economy and employment for our communities of color.

S07 E01: Angelic Troublemakers: The Legacy of Bayard Rustin Dec 13, 2023

Welcome back to Pod for the Cause Season 7! On today’s episode, our host, Kanya Bennett, managing director of government affairs at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, discusses the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin with President Clayola Brown, head of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, International Vice President of Workers United-SEIU, and Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnership and Racial Justice at the AFL-CIO; Dr. David Johns, the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition; and Author Michael G. Long, most recently, the editor of Bayard Rustin: A Legacy of Protest and Politics.

S06 E12: 10 Years Since Shelby SCOTUS Decision: How Voting Rights Have Drastically Changed in a Decade Jun 20, 2023

Join Kanya Bennett as she discusses the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder with Carolyn Shields, President of the Shelby County Branch of the NAACP, and Deuel Ross, Deputy Director of Litigation at NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This episode was recorded before the Court rendered its decision in Merrill v. Milligan.

S06 E11: Honoring Juneteenth and the Need for Reparations for Black Americans Jun 16, 2023

Join Kanya Bennett as she discusses Juneteenth and reparations with Jeff Robinson of The Who We are Project, Kavon Ward of Where is My Land, and Keenan Keller of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.

S06 E10: Attacks on Black Political Power Jun 09, 2023

Join Kanya Bennett and cohost Jheanelle Wilkins, director of state and local government affairs at the Leadership Conference, as they discuss recent attacks on Black political power with District of Columbia Councilmember Robert White, Melissa Wasser of the ACLU-DC, Dr. Sekou Franklin of Middle Tennessee State University, and Patrice Willoughby of the NAACP.

S06 E09: Banning Books, Queer People, and Black History Part 2 May 30, 2023

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she continues the conversation around book bans and curriculum censorship with Maggie Tokuda-Hall.

S06 E09 Banning Books, Queer People, and Black History Part 1 May 30, 2023

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she discusses book bans and curriculum censorship with Karsonya "Kaye" Wise Whitehead and Khalil Gibran Muhammad.

S06 E08: Talking Traffic Stops: The Urgent Need for Police Accountability and Transparency May 08, 2023

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she discusses police violence and reform with Chelsea Glass and Josh Adams of DeCarcerate Memphis and Krissy Roth, Senior Policy Associate at The NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

S06 E07: Until Justice Is Won: Civil Rights and Sports Apr 26, 2023

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she discusses the role of sports in the civil rights movement with Domonique Foxworth — former NFL defensive back, senior writer for Andscape, and host of The Domonique Foxworth Show, an ESPN podcast.

S06 E06: Combatting Online Misinformation and Disinformation Nov 23, 2022

Our host, Kanya Bennett, is joined by Joe Miller, President and CEO of The Washington Center for Technology Policy Inclusion (WashingTECH), and Dave Toomey, Voting Rights and Technology Fellow at The Leadership Conference to discuss the dangers of disinformation on social media and how we can advance the civil and human rights agenda online.

S06 E05: Now What?: Post-Election Accountability Nov 09, 2022

Our host, Kanya Bennett, is joined by Paige Fernandez, the National Organizing Manager at the Center for Popular Democracy, and Tanya Clay House, Executive Vice President of Campaigns and Advocacy at the Hip Hop Caucus to discuss what advocacy and accountability look like to keep advancing civil rights, post-election.

S06 E04: Affirmative Action Means Opportunity for All Oct 26, 2022

On today's episode of Pod For the Cause, our host, Kanya Bennett, is joined by Star Wingate-Bey, a 2016 graduate of the University of North Carolina and a student intervenor who helped defend UNC's admissions policy in the affirmative action case involving the universtiy and Genize Bonadies Torres, Associate Director for the Educational Opportunities Project at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, to discuss affirmative action and the related cases before the Supreme Court - Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina (UNC).

S06 E03: Our Bodies are on the Ballot Oct 12, 2022

On today’s episode of Pod for the Cause our host, Kanya Bennett discusses the intersectionality of abortion rights and voting and its impact on Black women with Marcela Howell, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Agenda.

S06 E02: Why Our Courts Matter Sep 28, 2022

On today’s episode of Pod for the Cause our host, Kanya Bennett will discuss the importance of our courts with Kadida Kenner, chief executive officer of the New Pennsylvania Project and co-chair of Why Courts Matter – Pennsylvania, and Kim Tignor, executive director for the Institute for Intellectual Property & Social Justice and cofounder of #SheWillRise.

S06 E01: Vote to Save Democracy Sep 14, 2022

Welcome back to Pod for the Cause Season 6! On today’s episode our new host, Kanya Bennett, managing director of government affairs at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, will discuss voting and civic engagement with Cece Huddleston, voting rights field coordinator for the Prepared to Vote and Voting Rights Defender projects at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

S05 E08: Vote For Justice Apr 06, 2022

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Sakira Cook, Senior Director of the Justice Program at The Leadership Conference and the The Education Fund, and Reginald Belle, Campaigns and Programs Fellow at The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund to discuss how we can transform the criminal-legal system through voting and other forms of civic participation.

S05 E07: Local Organizing & the Legacy of Black-led Civil Rights Movements Mar 22, 2022

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Arekia Bennett-Scott, executive director of Mississippi Votes, and Jordan Johnson, executive director of Georgia Shift, to discuss the legacy of Black-led civil rights organizing, the importance of youth in these movements, and how to evolve to meet the present moment.

S05 E06: Trans Rights are Civil Rights Dec 21, 2021

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Diego Sanchez, Director of Advocacy, Policy & Partnerships at PFLAG and Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality to discuss the intersectionality of inequity and how it impacts the transgender community. They discuss dismantling systems of violence, among other topics.

S05 E05: Winning the Narrative Dec 14, 2021

What is narrative and why should it matter to activists? Vanessa is joined by Ellen Buchman, President at The Opportunity Agenda, Dr. Jiggy Geronimo, a progressive research and messaging expert, and Tyler Lewis, Director of Messaging and Project Management at Third Sector to discuss how civil rights advocates can craft messaging that leverages the power of narratives.

S05 E04: What are our Civil Rights on the Internet? Nov 23, 2021

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Sofia Ongele, Founder of ReDawn and Creative Advisor Intern at Kode with Klossy, and Laura Murphy, President of Laura Murphy & Associates, LLC and Author of The Rationale for and Key Elements of a Business Civil Rights Audit, to discuss the intersection of technology and civil rights.

S05 E03: Immigration and Race in America Nov 15, 2021

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Lia Parada, Director of Legislative Advocacy at The Immigration Hub, and Abraham Paulos, Deputy Director at the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, to discuss asylum, temporary protected status, and the state of immigration in the United States.

S05 E02: The Biden Scorecard Episode Oct 28, 2021

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Lena Zwarensteyn, Senior Director of the Fair Courts Campaign at The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund, and Patricia Richman, National Sentencing Resource Counsel at Federal Public and Community Defenders, to discuss the promises President Biden made to voters, unpack his record on judicial nominations and criminal justice reform, and how else our communities need him to show up.

S05 E01: The Intersections of Abortion Bans Sep 20, 2021

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Aimee Arrambide, Executive Director at Avow Texas; Leila Abolfazli, Director for Federal Reproductive Rights at National Women’s Law Center; and Nancy Cardenas Pena, Texas Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice to discuss how recent abortion restrictions and laws that are chipping away at the right to vote are rooted in white supremacy and how to fight against them.

Vision for Justice: Reimagining Public Safety Aug 05, 2021

On the finale of the Vision for Justice miniseries, our guest host, Monifa Bandele, Movement for Black Lives Leadership Team, reimagines public safety with Thea Sebastian, Director of Policy, Civil Rights Corps, Alphonso David, President of Human Rights Campaign, and Eunisses Hernandez, Executive Director and Co-founder of La Defensa.

Vision for Justice: Pretrial Justice Jul 22, 2021

Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Congressman Ted. Lieu (D-Calif.) to discuss pretrial justice, its current framework, and the inequities that exist within it. Then, in a special Pod Squad segment, Sakira Cook, Senior Director, Justice Program, The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund, reimagines transforming the pretrial justice system with DeAnna Hoskins, President and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA; Katherine Hubbard, Senior Attorney at Civil Rights Corps; Chesa Boudin, the District Attorney of San Francisco; and Sharone Mitchell, Public Defender of Cook County, Illinois.

Vision For Justice: The ’94 Crime Bill Jul 09, 2021

On this second episode of our special series, Vision For Justice, our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.), to discuss the passing of the 1994 Crime Bill and its long-term implications on mass incarceration and Black and Brown communities. Then, in a special Pod Squad segment, Nkechi Taifa, Principal and CEO of The Taifa Group, reimagines public safety with Anand Subramanian, Managing Director at PolicyLink; and Kumar Rao, Senior Director of Policy & Strategy, New York Working Families Party.

Vision For Justice: 50 Years of the War on Drugs Jun 17, 2021

On this first episode of our special series, Vision For Justice, our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), to discuss the policies and ramifications of the War on Drugs. Then in a special Pod Squad segment, Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance reimagines public safety with Andrea James, founder and executive director of The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls; Juan Cartagena, president & general counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF; and Kara Gotsch, deputy director of The Sentencing Project.

S04 E08: School in the Time of COVID Jun 16, 2021

Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Sylvia Tanguma, president of the McAllen American Federation of Teachers and a teacher at James Bonham Elementary in McAllen, TX, to discuss how teachers heroically pivoted their curriculum and methods in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and what needs to be done to help students and teachers re-enter the classroom, as we emerge from the pandemic.

S04 E07: "Unmasking Reopening" May 11, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by mental health experts: Melvin Wilson (Senior Policy Advisor for Social Justice and Human Rights, at the National Association of Social Workers) and Sherod Haynes (MD/PhD Candidate at Emory University) to unpack mental health after over a year of quarantine, the social dichotomy of vaccinations, and reimagining care during reopening through an intersectional lens.

S04 E06: We Must Keep Fighting Barriers to the Ballot Apr 28, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by voting leaders: Bo Shuff (Executive Director at DC Vote), Lisa Cylar Barrett (Director of Policy at the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.), and Kadeem Cooper (Policy Counsel at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law) to break down the latest in federal voting, DC statehood, and how we move forward after the 2021 election.

S04 E05: SHE-cession Mar 23, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by Adrienne Lawrence (Attorney and Sr. Consultant at Jennifer Brown Consulting, Media and Legal Consultant at Bantam Impact, and the Author of Staying in the Game), Jess Morales Rocketto (Co-chair of Families Belong Together and Co-Founder at Care in Action, Supermajority, and She Se Puede), and Kate Bahn (Director of Labor Market Policy at Washington Center for Equitable Growth and EVP of the International Association for Feminist Economics) to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the issues women face today including the gender and race pay gap, reproductive justice, and harassment through an intersectional lens.

S04 E04: #AVLExplains Local Elections Mar 09, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by amazing members of the All Voting is Local team: Peter Burress (Wisconsin Campaign Manager), Rosemary Avila (Arizona Campaign Manager), Ifeolu Claytor (Ohio Campaign Manager), and Ben Gardner (Michigan Campaign Manager) to break down voting at the local level and discuss the intersectionality of voter suppression.

S04 E03: Black Justice is Our Justice Feb 26, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by Claudia Flores (Senior Campaign Manager at the Center for American Progress), Abraham Paulos (Deputy Director of Policy and Communications at the Black Alliance for Just Immigration), and Jill Yu (Managing Director and Cofounder at Act to Change) to talk about immigration, white supremacy, and how we can activate our own communities to eradicate the anti-blackness within them.

S04 E02: The First 100 Days of Biden-Harris Feb 09, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by Monica Simpson (Executive Director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective), Tina Tchen (President & CEO of TIME'S UP), and LaShawn Warren (Executive Vice President for Government Affairs at The Leadership Conference) to talk all about the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration, and what all the executive orders and COVID-19 relief actually mean for all of us.

S04 E01: This Is America Jan 26, 2021

On the season 4 premiere of Pod for the Cause, Wade Henderson, civil rights lawyer, human rights activist, and interim president of The Leadership Conference, and Nelini Stamp, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the Working Families Party, join host Vanessa Gonzalez to discuss where we've been as a country (and where we want to be) in the aftermath of the white supremacist insurrection at the Capitol.

S03 E09: Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021 Dec 29, 2020

2020 has been a year unlike any other - from the COVID-19 pandemic to racial injustice, a historic presidential election and more - as we close the door on 2020 and welcome a New Year, The Leadership Conference colleagues LaShawn Warren and Kelly Brewington join Vanessa Gonzalez to take a look back & reflect on all that has happened this year, while also bringing in some cheer as we approach 2021.

S03 E08: Allyship 101: Listening, Learning, and Loving Others in the Age of Black Lives Matter Nov 24, 2020

Schuyler Bailar, athlete, activist, life coach, and the first openly trans NCAA Division I athlete and swimmer, and Sam White, social impact strategist and advocate, join host Allyn Brooks-LaSure for a conversation all about allyship in the Black Lives Matter movement. The Leadership Conference's own Vanessa Gonzalez hits us with her Hot Takes.

S03 E07: Election Breakdown with Travon Free & Jenny Yang Nov 11, 2020

On our first post-Election episode, comedians Travon Free and Jenny Yang join host Allyn Brooks-LaSure to break down the 2020 Election and the state of comedy as we transition from the Trump Presidency to a Biden-Harris Administration.

S03 E06: The Election Episode Oct 27, 2020

Welcome to The Election Episode of Pod for the Cause! Host Allyn Brooks-LaSure sits down with Leigh Chapman, Program Director of Voting Rights at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Ramon Contreras, Founder of Youth Over Guns, and Deja Foxx, activist and founder of Gen Z Girl Gang.

S03 E05: Courts & Voting Oct 13, 2020

On this week's Pod for the Cause, we talk all about the Supreme Court confirmation hearings and voting with Aklima Khondoker (Georgia State Director, All Voting is Local), Kayla Griffin (Ohio State Director, All Voting is Local), Lena Zwarensteyn (Fair Courts Campaign Director, The Leadership Conference), and Rosemary Avila (Arizona Campaign Manager, All Voting is Local).

S03 E04: College During COVID Sep 29, 2020

How are college students feeling during COVID-19? What's it like to be an undergrad during a global pandemic? On this week's Pod for the Cause, we check in with student leaders of color across the country for a collegiate roundtable. Joining host Allyn Brooks-LaSure on the Pod Squad is Danielle Geathers, President of the Student Government at MIT, Luis Huerta, President of the Associated Students of University of California, Riverside, Cameron Nolan, Student Government Association President at Morehouse College, and Foothill College Student Government President, Abhiraj Muhar.

S03 E03: Healing Our Hearts and Minds During COVID-19 Sep 15, 2020

This week's Pod for the Cause episode hosted by Allyn Brooks-LaSure is all about the psychological impacts of COVID-19, especially for communities of color. Author, Veteran, and Heart Healer Rob Hill Sr. joins us as our special guest to share more wisdom and words around this topic. Plus, Assistant Professor and Director of Wellness at Washington University in St Louis, Dr. Jessi Gold, M.D. MS, and The Leadership Conference's Communications Assistant, Kenny Park Yi, join the "Pod Squad" to talk about self care and mental health during COVID-19.

S03 E02: Census Counts Sep 01, 2020

Pod for the Cause is all about the census this week! Stand-up comedian Cristela Alonzo joins us to talk about the power the census holds for historically undercounted communities — and the urgency of saving the 2020 Census — with guest host Beth Lynk, Director of Census Counts. Plus, our own Ashley Allison and Tamika Turner, Communications Director of Census Counts, round out the Pod Squad!

S03 E01: The Horrible Storm Jul 28, 2020

In the season 3 premiere of "Pod for the Cause", host Ashley Allison is joined by Compton’s Mayor Aja Brown to discuss the horrible storm - between COVID-19, police violence, and everything else that has been happening in our nation. Plus, The Leadership Conference’s Allyn Brooks-LaSure and United We Dream’s Greisa Martinez join Ashley on the Pod Squad to talk about the legacies of Rev. C. T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis, a major victory for DACA at the Supreme Court, when the pandemic is or isn’t ending, and hyper-realistic cakes.

S02 E10: Will Our Lives Still Matter? Jun 16, 2020

Pod for the Cause is guest hosted by Allyn Brooks-LaSure to discuss the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement in unprecedented times - we cover allyship, true change, and more, all with a packed Pod Squad and special guest Iyanla Vanzant.

S02 E09: A Mother's Day Tribute — 1 Year Later May 08, 2020

In honor of the Mother's Day and the one year anniversary of Pod for the Cause, host Ashley Allison is joined by former Obama Administration Senior Advisor, New York Times Bestselling Author, and mother/grandmother Valerie Jarrett to talk about the journey of motherhood, finding her voice, and the realities of being a working mother. Plus, Ashley and the pod squad celebrates Mother's Day by bringing their moms in on this episode too!

S02 E08: Getting Educated in America May 01, 2020

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by the creator, writer, and director of the Netflix series Dear White People, Justin Simien, and the actress who portrays the character Joelle Brooks in Dear White People, Ashley Blaine Featherson, to discuss the experience of students of color on college campuses along with the complexities of race in our nation.

S02 E07: Black Lives and COVID-19 Apr 17, 2020

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined remotely by New York Times bestselling author, historian and antiracist activist Dr. Ibram Kendi to talk about the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on Black communities.

S02 E06: Staying Connected at Home Apr 10, 2020

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined remotely by Vanita Gupta, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference, to talk about how COVID-19 has impacted our world and how, now more than ever, the fierce fight to protect civil and human rights continues.

S02 E05: Get Out The Count, Get Out The Vote Mar 11, 2020

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by Stacey Abrams, the former Democratic nominee for the governorship of Georgia, the Founder and Chair of Fair Fight, and the Founder of Fair Count, to talk all things voting, Census, and what is next in Leader Abrams' future.

S02 E04 (Part 2): For The People — Meet Your Representatives Feb 13, 2020

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by powerhouse Representatives Kathy Castor, Darren Soto, Marc Veasey, Al Green and John Sarbanes for part two of a special episode live from the Maxine Waters "Millennial Media Row" State of The Union event to talk about health care, justice reform, reparations, economic security and ultimately how to get people out to vote in the 2020 election.

S02 E04 (Part 1): For The People — Meet Your Representatives Feb 11, 2020

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by powerhouse Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Maxine Waters for part one of an episode live from the Maxine Waters "Millennial Media Row" State of The Union event to talk about health care, justice reform, reparations, economic security, the power of Black women, and ultimately how to get people out to vote in the 2020 election.

S02 E03: We Are Democracy Dec 11, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by Cecile Richards, Mayra Macias, and Alicia Garza for a very special episode live from The Leadership Conference Education Fund's "We Are Democracy" conference to talk all about voter engagement and what candidates should be doing to reach the people.

S02 E02: DACA - The Fight Continues Nov 20, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by Martín Batalla Vidal, the lead plaintiff in the New York case McAleenan v. Vidal, to discuss DACA and how the fight will continue to create a pathway for future generations to live and thrive in America.

S02 E01: Let Our People Vote: The Fight Against Voter Suppression Nov 04, 2019

To kick off season two, Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison is joined by special guest Dawn-Lyen Gardner, star of Queen Sugar, to discuss voter suppression, the importance of representation, and the fluidity of racial/cultural identity.

If you're new to the show be sure to check out our first season and click subscribe today!

S01 E09: Gun Violence - Thoughts, Prayers, Action & Reform Aug 19, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison welcomes David Hogg, activist and co-founder of March For Our Lives and Zion Kelly, activist and student at Florida A&M University, to discuss their tragic experiences with gun-related violence -- and the urgent need for reform on all levels.

S01 E08: Disability Rights Are Civil Rights Jul 26, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison welcomes Vilissa Thompson, creator of #DisabilityTooWhite and founder of RampYourVoice, to discuss how disability rights are civil rights -- and how we should all hold each other accountable for disability discrimination, both within the movement and our lives. Thompson makes the case for why we should all speak up about the intersection of racism and disability rights.

S01 E07: What Do Freedom & Justice Look Like? Jul 12, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison and the iconic Rev. Dr. William Barber II, president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and architect of the Moral Mondays movement, discuss what justice and freedom look like in the Trump era. The conversation includes how young people are leading the movement and how we should all use our moral compass to continue the fight.

S01 E06: Immigration – Keeping Families Together Jul 02, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison and film director, author, and activist Paola Mendoza discuss immigration and family separation. The conversation includes experiences of families on the border who are seeking asylum and safety, as well as the importance of immigration reform.

S01 E05: Out & Proud – Celebrating Pride Month Jun 17, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison interviews actress and model, Isis King, to discuss her breakout role in When They See Us. The conversation includes what pride month means to her and to the LGBTQ community, in addition to how people can become better allies.

S01 E04: My Body – My Choice May 29, 2019

Pod for the Cause host Ashley Allison, Alabama Senator Vivian Figures, and Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE), discuss the recent Alabama abortion law and the nationwide attacks on abortion overall. The conversation included how these attacks will harm people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community in addition to how we can rise up in defense of a women’s right to choose.

S01 E03: Civic Engagement – Women Rally for Change May 15, 2019

Ashley Allison, host of Pod for the Cause, interviews Ai-jen Poo, director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, co-director of Caring Across Generations, and founder of Supermajority, to discuss civic engagement efforts. They discuss a new national activist network that connects women organizers to ignite action.

S01 E02: Census – Counting All Communities in 2020 May 15, 2019

Ashley Allison, host of Pod for the Cause, interviews Dale Ho, voting rights program director at the ACLU, to discuss all things census. They discuss the Supreme Court oral arguments case to remove the citizenship question, counting all communities, and the importance of a fair and accurate count in 2020.

S01 E01: A Mother's Day Tribute May 15, 2019

Ashley Allison, host of Pod for the Cause, interviews Marion Gray-Hopkins, Executive Director of Coalition of Concerned Mothers and Rhanda Dormeus, Treasurer of Coalition of Concerned Mothers, on how they turned their tragedy into advocacy. Both Gray-Hopkins and Dormeus lost their children at the hands of police violence.

S01 E00: Introducing "Pod for the Cause" May 13, 2019

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights launched “Pod for the Cause” podcast to expand the conversation on critical civil and human rights challenges of our day: census, justice reform, policing, education, fighting hate & bias, judicial nominations, fair courts, voting rights, media & tech, economic security, immigration, and human rights. Through this expanded dialogue, we want to spur activism that drives change in our communities and country. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show on your favorite podcast app and leave a 5-star review.

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