Growing Democracy Podcast Growing Democracy Project

This episode is part of Series 6, Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio. In this ninth episode, Ashley and Casey talk with returning guest Jerry Peña (founder & senior member Gradient A Human Equity Think Tank). Jerry shares his experience as both a community organizer and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultant for organizations - the conversation also focuses on community organizer responses to current events. This series is made possible with funding from Mark Lewine and the John Gray Paynther Program.

Links: https://gradientthinktank.com/team

This episode is part of Series 6, Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio. In this eighth episode, Ashley and Shemariah talk with Midtown Cleveland staff Aisia Jones (Director of Community Empowerment) and Samira Malone (Neighborhood Planning Manager). The conversation emphasizes the importance of Black women in local activism, municipal politics, and neighborhood planning. The guests share their experiences with intersectional solidarity in organizing and activism. This series is made possible with funding from Mark Lewine and the John Gray Paynther Program.

Links: https://midtowncleveland.org/

This episode is part of Series 6, Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio. In our seventh episode, Casey and Anuj talk with Madhu Sharma, Executive Director and Director of Immigration Legal Services at International Institute of Akron in Akron OH. The conversation explores the intersections of race, religion, and resettlement in Akron, OH with a particular focus on current events. Madhu shares her personal experiences of facing discrimination and the multitude of challenges that racially & religiously minoritized populations face when resettling in Ohio. This series is made possible with funding from Mark Lewine and the John Gray Paynther Program.

Links:
https://www.iiakron.org/

This episode is part of Series 6, Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio. In our sixth episode, Casey and Anuj talk with Katie Beck, Co-Artistic Director of the Gum-Dip Theatre in Akron OH. The conversation explores the changing face of Akron, OH - and Katie reflects on how community identity can be reinvented and reimagined with tools of storytelling and theatre. This series is made possible with funding from Mark Lewine and the John Gray Paynther Program.

Links:
http://www.gumdiptheatre.com/katie-beck

This episode is part of Series 6, Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio. In our fifth episode, Casey and Shemariah talk with Dr. Khyati Y. Joshi (Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, author: White Christian Privilege). The conversation explores topics of religious privilege and the intersections of race, religion, and democracy. Dr. Joshi provides personal anecdotes and expertise on how the US institutionally prioritizes White Christianity. This series is made possible with funding from Mark Lewine and the John Gray Paynther Program.

Links:
https://nyupress.org/9781479840236/white-christian-privilege/

This episode is part of Series 6, Race and Democracy in Northeast Ohio. Our fourth episode features two youth of color who are active in the NEO organizing space. Ashley and Casey talk with Akii Butler (Ohio Organizing Collaborative) and Erik Gomez (Director of Governmental Affairs for Undergraduate Student Government at Kent State). The conversation focuses on recent work opposing Ohio HB327 (Bill Title: Prohibit teaching, advocating, or promoting divisive concepts) and what it is like to be a student/youth of color doing organizing work in predominantly white spaces. This series is made possible with funding from Mark Lewine and the John Gray Paynther Program.

Links:
https://www.honestyforohioeducation.info/

https://ohiostudentassociation.org/