In a personal and moving conversation with Sharline, Steve shares the winding, yet connected roads that led to his first keynote speech at the City University of New York’s School of Labor and Urban Studies’ fifth commencement ceremony.

Steve discusses the art and poetry that inspired his speech and the childhood memories that resurfaced as he wrote. In his advice to the graduates entering the workforce at one of the most critical times in our country’s history, he shares key lessons from his time in political and labor movements to his time spent writing How We Win the Civil War. He also honors Susan’s legacy and the friends they gained in their joint effort to make a difference in the world.

REFERENCES:

CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Commencement 2023 - https://slu.cuny.edu/current-students/commencement

Barbara James-Hogu - "Rise and Take Control" - https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/rise-and-take-control-117946

Margaret Walker - "For My People" - https://poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/21850/for-my-people

Sonia Sanchez - "Middle Passage" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=P98JZhWUijY

Steve to the Class of 2023: Rise and Take Control

Congressmember Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) joins Steve and Fola to talk about his time as an educator, from being a crisis intervention teacher to founding his own school.

He shares what he sees as the role of the Squad; how he got involved with Justice Democrats; and what led him to run for office in the first place. He shares his thoughts on the major issues we’re facing in K-12 education, from attacks on LGBTQ+ youth to the conservative backlash against so-called “critical race theory,” and Republicans’ refusal to take action on gun legislation.

Rep. Bowman also shares what’s giving him hope and answers a very important weight-lifting question.

REFERENCES:
Representative Jamaal Bowman - @JamaalBowmanNY // IG: jamaalbowmanny

Rep. Jamaal Bowman on Restorative Justice for the Classroom and Beyond

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, Eddie Wong, former national field director for Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign, joins Steve and Sharline to reminisce on the alliance that transcended boundaries of race, gender, and socio-economic status to create a powerful force for change. 

Steve, Sharline, and Eddie delve into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that marked the coalition's journey, as well as its influence on shaping today's movements for social justice and equity.

Original coalition members also share personal anecdotes, insights, and reflections on how the Rainbow Coalition ignited a transformative movement that redefined the landscape of social and political activism, and the impact of Reverend Jackson’s visionary leadership in their own lives.

REFERENCES: 

Eddie Wong - https://newday.com/filmmakers/eddie-wong

Jesse Jackson 1984 Democratic National Convention Speech - https://c-span.org/video/?c4787461/user-clip-jesse-jackson-1984-democratic-national-convention-speech-complete

Rainbow Coalition Recordings:
Dr. Amanda Kemp - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZHJ9qu8_-3gQjaJ_X5SyXk6duNaMjGd4/view?usp=drive_link
Pierre Barolette - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TP5hgKZrWVIHJOkzN9y0SLfcieTp6niu/view?usp=drive_link
Theresa Montaño - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fvpzpFZXkNKTCZek8GUF_mQ8ViWiHaAZ/view?usp=drive_link
Ellen Spears -
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ORKqlWd1IfIKwYkUehiZ-Eba-xM3biFy/view?usp=drive_link

40 Years of the Rainbow Coalition

A color-conscious political podcast, hosted by Steve Phillips, that releases episodes every other Thursday. While grassroots organizations raised voters of color turnout to historic levels, securing Democratic victories in 2020 and 2021, there remain strong differences of opinion about the right strategy for winning in a racially-polarized electoral landscape.

 “Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips” offers candid and data-driven analysis on how progressives can win. Join Steve for a conversation that is unafraid and unapologetic about grappling with some of the toughest issues in politics today. 

Special guests have included: Stacey Abrams, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Beto O’Rourke.

Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips

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