Pod for the Cause The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.