Voting Rights

In this episode, we sit down with Khalid Pitts, Executive Vice Preside of Campaigns and Programs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, to discuss the And Still I Vote campaign. Just days out from presidential election, Pod for the Cause continues the conversation about protecting and preserving the right to vote. We discuss the origin story of And Still I Vote, which is an effort to show up for our communities, claim our power, and realize the full promise of our democracy. We explore And Still I Vote’s present-day efforts to fight against voting discrimination, empower disenfranchised communities, and protect the integrity of our democratic process. Ultimately, And Still I Vote plays a critical role in ensuring that every voice is heard in our political process and that civil rights, freedom, and democracy anchor our society.

With the historic and high stakes 2024 presidential election upon us, Americans must be vigilant in protecting their right to vote. Modern day voter suppression takes on various forms. It can look like voter roll purges, which often disenfranchise people of color and other marginalized groups. It can be the dangerous spread of misinformation and disinformation, which aims to confuse or deter voters from participating. This episode explores how these tactics have been used in recent elections and equips listeners with education and resources to recognize voter suppression campaigns. We sit down with voting rights and democracy experts one-on-one to get the latest. By staying informed and engaged, Americans will ensure that their vote counts in this critical election and that our democracy is preserved.

This episode commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reflecting on its profound impact in dismantling legalized segregation, securing voting rights, and expanding protections against discrimination. It explores the victories it represented for marginalized communities and how it catalyzed further reforms in education, housing, and employment. As we celebrate this anniversary, however, we also dive into the ongoing challenges to civil rights. We examine new threats to a fair and equitable democracy from initiatives like Project 2025—an extremist agenda and wish list for a conservative administration that seeks to roll back vital civil rights protections. With attacks on affirmative action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and reproductive justice on the rise, we highlight the persistent inequalities and barriers to justice that remain. We discuss the history, the setbacks, and the continued urgency to defend and expand civil rights in today’s politically polarized landscape.

In this episode commemorating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, we delve into the pivotal 1964 campaign that aimed to register African American voters in Mississippi and the Deep South and challenge systemic racial barriers. We will explore the courageous efforts of activists, the profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing struggle for voting rights in America. Through conversation with advocates and activists, as well as historians and academics, we will reflect on the legacy of Freedom Summer and its relevance today in the fight for a more equitable democracy. This episode will honor the past and address the continuing quest for justice and equality through the ballot.

Today on Pod for the Cause, we will use Black History Month as an opportunity to consider the state of the Movement for Black Lives. For this conversation, we are joined by three committed and courageous visionaries who are at the forefront of the fight for Black liberation, Black freedom, and Black joy.

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.

Join Kanya Bennett as she discusses Juneteenth and reparations with Jeff Robinson of The Who We are Project, Kavon Ward of Where is My Land, and Keenan Keller of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.

Join Kanya Bennett and cohost Jheanelle Wilkins, director of state and local government affairs at the Leadership Conference, as they discuss recent attacks on Black political power with District of Columbia Councilmember Robert White, Melissa Wasser of the ACLU-DC, Dr. Sekou Franklin of Middle Tennessee State University, and Patrice Willoughby of the NAACP.