Reimagining Democracy: Radical Imagination in Practice

Angela Glover Blackwell, host of Radical Imagination, has a new podcast, Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life, that looks at U.S. cities for inspiration on how to build a radically inclusive democracy that serves all of us.  Season 1 focused on Los Angeles. In this latest season, she turns to Atlanta, asking, "What can Atlanta teach us about democracy? What insights does it offer in terms of building a more perfect union? And what lessons from Atlanta’s past can help us through this present moment and lay a path for a vibrant democratic future?" Featured Guests: Writer and minister Danté Stewart, Historian and professor Dr. Maurice Hobson, Atlanta Influences Everything co-founder Bem Joiner, Historian and author Dr. Carol Anderson, Visual artist Marryam Moma, Founder and Chief Equity Officer for Partnership for Southern Equity Nathaniel Smith, Community strategist and activist Grace Choi, Author and journalist Charles Blow, Organizer Evan Matthews, Political scientist and author Dr. Bernard Fraga, Activist and organizer Nsé Ufot, Executive Director of Latino Community Fund Georgia Gigi Pedraza, Music and Culture reporter Christina Lee, Executive Director of Housing Justice League Alison Johnson, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Director of the Community Stewardship Trust at The Guild, Avery Ebron, Nonprofit leader Aisha Yaqoob Mahmood, Vice President of Policy & Research at Kindred Futures Dr. Alex Camardelle-Floyd, Executive Director of Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda Helen Butler. 

Democracy isn’t dead, it just needs to be reimagined so that all of us can flourish. And that requires radical imagination! Angela Glover Blackwell, host of the Radical Imagination podcast, has a new podcast: Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life! In this six-part series, Angela, along with an array of guests, seeks to find the essential elements of a strong, inclusive multiracial democracy in, perhaps, one of the most unlikely places: Los Angeles. Find out more at https://www.policylink.org/reimagining-democracy.

Ever wonder who will carry the torch of change into the future of American politics and environmental action?  Be inspired by two trailblazers whose leadership and determination exemplify what's needed to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all.  Juan Ramiro Sarmiento of Run for Something discusses how the organization reshapes the political sphere by supporting young, diverse candidates in key, down-ballot local and state elections.  Transitioning from the ballot box to the courtroom, we are joined by the formidable Talia Hernandez, whose environmental activism takes on a legal dimension as she and other committed youth take on Montana's reliance on fossil fuels.Revolutionary Leadership is a powerful illustration of the broader fight for our planet's future and embodies the hope that defines the ethos of our season finale.   Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

Venture with us into an episode where  Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro and Ronda Chapman from the Trust for Public Land discuss their efforts to reconnect Black communities with nature's joys and healing powers.  Their stories weave a narrative tapestry that celebrates culture, fosters community, and uplifts Black voices in the outdoor spaces.While both Rue and Ronda bring to light the systemic racism that has long kept outdoor spaces out of reach for many, each, in their individual efforts, also stitches a roadmap toward repair and reclamation. Together, their visions converge on a future where the laughter of children playing in parks and families gathering in green spaces is not a privilege for a few but a common melody for all. Through powerful storytelling and relentless advocacy, this episode is an ode to the beauty of perseverance and the collective effort to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to find solace, adventure, and a sense of belonging under the canopy of shared skies. Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

Discover the powerful role of artificial intelligence in preserving indigenous languages in our latest episode, where I, Angela Glover Blackwell, engage in a compelling discussion with Keoni Mahelona, the talented CTO of Te Hiku Media. We delve into the rich history of the Māori people, uncovering the injustices they've faced and the ways AI is paving the way toward the revitalization of their language. Get ready to be intrigued and enlightened as we discuss how Te Hiku Media is disrupting traditional systems using AI to ensure the preservation of the Māori language.We also explore the pivotal role of children in this linguistic renaissance, highlighting the emergence of Māori language immersion schools. The conversation takes a deeper turn as we grapple with the contentious issue of data sovereignty in the world of AI. Can we truly decolonize AI to prevent the exploitation and colonization of indigenous data? The essence of this episode lies in the exploration of AI's significant role in fostering equity, justice, and the preservation of indigenous languages. This isn’t just a conversation about technology; it’s about history, culture, equity, and most importantly, the future. Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

Get ready to be inspired by revolutionizing education. Our guest, Ja'Sonta Roberts, the offsite programs manager for Assemble, takes us on a journey through a new STEAM curriculum that’s infused with Black history and Afrofuturism. This dynamic approach, developed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helps students envision their future selves as innovators and leaders. We dive deep into the heart of this progressive curriculum, exploring how Afrofuturism is woven into lessons, the value of representation, and how this approach is shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for education.Envision a lesson about Hair Pride or an Afrofuturist Utopian City, and you'll begin to appreciate the beauty of this innovative approach. This isn't just a curriculum—it's a movement, one that's more relevant now than ever in our current political climate where the teaching of Black history is under scrutiny. Listen to Ja'Sonta's inspiring experience developing this program, the impact it's made, and how it's not only transforming education but also preparing the next generation for a future where they can thrive in any field. This isn't just a conversation—It's a call to action for a more inclusive, equitable future. Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

What if the nearest source of clean water was miles away from your home? Picture a world where access to this basic necessity is not a given, but a struggle. That's the reality for many in the Navajo Nation, and our guest, Cindy Howe, director of the Navajo Water Project at DigDeep, knows it all too well.  Yet her passion for bridging the water divide shines through as she talks about the importance of local leadership and collaboration in addressing this crisis, while fighting the recent Supreme Court ruling against the Navajo Nation's water rights. This episode is enriched with stories of joy and relief as families experience running water in their homes for the first time.  It promises to be a compelling look at the human right to clean water and the fight to secure it. Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

Can you imagine a world in which we not only acknowledge the systemic injustices tied to housing and land disparities but actively rectify them? Join us as we engage in a profound conversation with Rasheedah Phillips, Afrofuturist and Director of Housing at PolicyLink to explore spatial reparations -- a transformative approach to rectifying historical wrongs. We journey through local initiatives like those in Evanston, Illinois, demonstrating the possibilities of reparations targeted at specific communities. We also bridge the connection between spatial reparations and movements like the landback movement, emphasizing the holistic approach required to address deep-rooted injustices. The pursuit of spatial reparations is a journey toward a more equitable future. It is a journey that requires us to acknowledge the past, understand the present, and imagine a future where everyone has access to housing, resources, and opportunities. It is a journey that we can all be a part of and one that will undoubtedly shape the future of housing justice. Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

In this episode of Radical Imagination, we hear from Doris Brown, co-director of West Street Recovery, to unravel this mystery. She lifts the veil on how systemic inequities, housing, infrastructure, and government funding are all intertwined with climate issues. Her work in Houston, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, has led to community organizing that transformed devastation into platforms for change. A fascinating journey from a community of 12 to over 100 members in the Northeast Action Collective, they've managed to fix over 400 homes in the span of five years. Hear about their ingenious 'Hub Houses' for crisis response and how they became relentless advocates for infrastructure funding. Then, we shift gears as we introduce Anthony Giancatarino, a strategy partner at Taproot Earth. He provides a fresh perspective on climate solutions by discussing their unique People's Movement Assembly process. This breaks away from the conventional mold and instead pairs communities at the forefront of climate change with researchers and academics - a true testament to co-creation.  Relentless for Climate Justice is a celebration of community action, a gentle reminder that change is possible when we come together for a cause. Join us on this inspiring journey. Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us

If we are to realize a radically inclusive, thriving, multiracial democracy,  we must lay claim to that future, raise our voices, and use our collective power to redesign a nation that truly works for all. Tune in for a stirring discussion with Michael McAfee, President & CEO of PolicyLink, as we unpack the significant impact of President Biden's Executive Orders on racial equity and how they can be wielded to effect real change.  We discuss the impact of Black voters turning out in record numbers in the 2020 election, joined by young voters and people who were demanding action to achieve racial justice; and the ways We the People compelled our federal government to reckon with race and to take action that bends the ark toward justice and fairness.   Tune into Radical Imagination as we dive into the stories and solutions that are fueling change. www.radicalimagination.us