Chronicles of a Dallas County Democrat

AZ Zayan
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  • Politics

Interviews with progressive activists in and around Dallas. We delve into the life stories of these activists and how they got to where they are today.

Episodes

  1. Yafeuh Balogun: Intergenerational Activism and Community-Building in Dallas

    May 25

    Yafeuh Balogun: Intergenerational Activism and Community-Building in Dallas

    Yafeuh Balogun is the coordinator for the Community Movement Builders of DFW, a black member-based collective of community residents and activists serving black working-class and poor black communities. He reveals how strategic community organizing, successful renaming of city streets, and building coalitions are creating lasting change. If you're tired of endless protests that lead nowhere and want real solutions that empower communities, this episode is your blueprint. Also, follow him on Facebook and buy his memoir.

    1h 5m
  2. Mathis Perkins: Wisdom from a Veteran About Community, Purpose, and Resilience

    Apr 27

    Mathis Perkins: Wisdom from a Veteran About Community, Purpose, and Resilience

    Most political conversations focus on policies or party lines, but what if the real secret to meaningful change lies in understanding human nature and community roots? Mathis Perkins, a Marine veteran and longtime Oak Cliff resident, shares his perspective on the deep ties that shape our communities and how true progress begins from within. From growing up on the hills of Oak Cliff to navigating a military career where precision and discipline shaped his outlook, he reveals how early lessons in service and involvement influenced a life dedicated to helping others. His insights challenge many common narratives, emphasizing that societal change isn’t about shortcuts or clickbait solutions. Rather, it’s about building resilience through education, community action, and persistent effort.

    1h 23m
  3. Donna Wilson: From Personal Trauma to Voting and HIV Advocacy

    Mar 23

    Donna Wilson: From Personal Trauma to Voting and HIV Advocacy

    Most people overlook the power of local activism, but Donna Wilson’s story proves that it’s the soul of change. At 67, Donna's journey from childhood trauma to fierce advocate reveals how a single diagnosis -- HIV -- can transform passion into action. Her unwavering commitment to voting rights, community outreach, and reproductive justice is a testament to how personal struggles fuel systemic impact. In this episode, you'll discover how she turned adversity into advocacy -- sharing her experiences with rejection, childhood trauma, and her HIV diagnosis -- and how those hardships ignited her fight for social justice. Donna breaks down crucial issues around HIV criminalization, voter suppression, and the importance of early education in protecting vulnerable communities. Donna's insights show that grassroots activism, paired with strategic policy work, can truly shift societal norms.

    53 min
  4. Olinka Green: Living With Dallas Racism and the Legacy of the Black Panthers

    Feb 23

    Olinka Green: Living With Dallas Racism and the Legacy of the Black Panthers

    Most of us never realize how personal history and deep-rooted activism shape the fight for justice. Olinka Green’s story reveals the raw truth of a life driven by childhood trauma, relentless resilience, and a unwavering commitment to community liberation. From witnessing violence at a young age to leading environmental justice tours and growing her own food, her journey serves as a powerful testament to how individual pain fuels collective change.

    1h 10m
  5. Connie Cook: A Veteran Nurse’s Journey Through American Healthcare Struggles

    Jan 31

    Connie Cook: A Veteran Nurse’s Journey Through American Healthcare Struggles

    Connie Cook has been a longtime Democratic activist in multiple states. Before she got into Democratic politics, however, she was an ordinary nurse who transformed communities, fought corruption, and built political change in her hometown of Baltimore. Connie’s extraordinary journey reveals the secrets behind effective organizing, union battles, and the relentless passion required to stand up for others, even in the face of adversity and systemic obstacles.

    1h 12m
  6. Julio Chaparro & Aggi Alvarado: An Immigrant Family's Fight Against a Billion-Dollar Polluter

    12/22/2025

    Julio Chaparro & Aggi Alvarado: An Immigrant Family's Fight Against a Billion-Dollar Polluter

    Julio Chaparro immigrated from Mexico to Dallas in the 1980s and is now the co-chair of Justice for Joppa, located in the historic Freedman’s community of Joppa in Southern Dallas. Alongside his daughter, Aggi Alvarado, they share their experiences of local activism, the challenges of gentrification, and the power of community resilience. Join us to explore how Julio's immigrant story fuels his determination to create a healthier future for the historic Joppa community of Dallas and their fight against industrial pollution caused by TAMKO, the billion-dollar asphalt shingle company. 00:00 Intro 08:40 Julio's experience growing up in Mexico and moving to the U.S. 16:44 America then and now for immigrants 29:23 Establishing a life in the U.S. 43:53 Moving from Uptown to Joppa 49:49 Background of Joppa 54:47 Starting Justice for Joppa 01:17:47 Final thoughts

    1h 26m
  7. Michele Saranovich: How One Woman from the Pacific Northwest Helped Build the Department of Energy

    11/24/2025

    Michele Saranovich: How One Woman from the Pacific Northwest Helped Build the Department of Energy

    Michele Saranovich is a Democratic activist and precinct chair in Far North Dallas. She shares her journey from reporting on the nascent nuclear energy movement in the state of Washington to her pivotal role in environmental policy and nuclear waste management in Washington, D.C. Discover her insights on the evolution of energy policies, the challenges of being a woman in STEM in the 1970s, and her transition to local politics in her new home of Dallas. 00:00 Intro 10:08 How her father and upbringing helped shape her environmental activism 23:26 Being a young woman in STEM 28:11 Working as an energy reporter in the Pacific Northwest 40:24 Building out an office in the Department of Energy 52:59 Leaving government and starting her technology consulting career 01:01:41 Transitioning to retirement and moving to Dallas 01:04:24 Final thoughts

    1h 15m
  8. Esme Zuniga: Generations of Family Members Serving the People

    10/27/2025

    Esme Zuniga: Generations of Family Members Serving the People

    Esme Zuniga is an environmental justice activist in Dallas, TX. We explore her journey from community organizing in the Rio Grande Valley to her impactful work with Downwinders at Risk. Esme shares her family's deep-rooted history in Texas, her early influences in activism, and the challenges and triumphs she faced as the Communications Director for the Hidalgo County Democrats. We also discuss the importance of local political engagement, the evolving landscape of activism in Dallas, and the need for a united Democratic front. To learn more about Downwinders at Risk, visit their website. 00:00 Intro 02:41 Early environmental justice work 04:45 Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley 05:25 Family history 07:53 How she started in civic engagement 11:50 Working at the Hidalgo County Democratic Party 16:12 Republicans then and now 20:26 Why RGV Hispanics don't vote for Democrats 25:08 Democrats need to fight harder 33:50 Life after Hidalgo 35:26 Everyone needs to understand data 40:15 Primary difference between the Democratic and Republican parties 46:50 Balance between calling people out and civil discourse 58:58 Role of local parties 01:03:16 Final thoughts

    1h 8m
  9. Dave Henley: From Navy Meteorologist to Environmental Activist

    09/22/2025

    Dave Henley: From Navy Meteorologist to Environmental Activist

    Dave Henley is an environmental activist in Dallas, TX. We discuss his journey into environmental activism, his military background in meteorology, and the impact of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth on his advocacy. The conversation explores the importance of community engagement, the challenges of convincing politicians about climate change, and the future of environmentalism in Dallas. Dave emphasizes the need for local activism and the preservation of green spaces, encouraging listeners to take action in their communities. To learn more about the organization Dave volunteers for, the Citizens' Climate Lobby, visit their website. To read the Substack article that this conversation inspired, read it here. 00:00 Intro 00:54 Volunteering in the 2024 presidential campaign 03:59 His first political volunteering 05:29 Joining the Navy 14:04 Life after the Navy 16:52 An Inconvenient Truth 29:05 Frog in the boiling water 37:45 Talking to people about climate change 40:55 Talking to politicians 45:40 Breaking down climate change 51:02 Lobbying local politicians 58:41 Where he sees Dallas

    1h 5m
  10. Subrina Brenham: A Lifetime of Community Service

    08/25/2025

    Subrina Brenham: A Lifetime of Community Service

    Subrina Brenham is a community activist and former Dallas city council candidate. We discuss her journey into activism, her experiences running for office, and the challenges faced in local politics. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, voter education, and the impact of elected officials on civic participation. Subrina shares her insights on issues affecting District 8 in Dallas, including public safety, environmental concerns, and the need for better resources. We conclude with reflections on the future of Dallas and the role of leadership in fostering a more engaged electorate. Connect with Subrina on her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/subrina.brenham

    1h 6m
  • 10 Episodes

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Interviews with progressive activists in and around Dallas. We delve into the life stories of these activists and how they got to where they are today.

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