The Zag

2020 NLC Arkansas Founding Fellow Leon Jones, III reflects on his NLC experience and the political landscape in his state right now. He's working comms for Democratic candidate for Governor Chris Jones. Keep tabs on the race at: chrisforgovernor.com IG: jonesforar Twitter: jonesforAR

2021 NLC Los Angeles Fellow Asabi Ifatunji joins The Zag to talk about how his NLC Capstone Project has evolved since it's conception last year. He takes restorative justice and community building our latest episode. Check it out.

Kyle Gracey, NLC Pittsburgh chapter founder, joins The Zag live from NLC Convention in Philly to talk about the origin story behind starting the chapter and more. We also dive into some of the things to watch for in PA politics before the midterms. Don't miss it.

Eric Brown, 2015 Nashville, joins The Zag live at NLC Convention in Philly to share more about his first published book called Weekend Reflections. He chronicles the inspiration behind it and the journey of getting it to print. Check it out and buy it from his Instagram page: @ericebrownjr.

2021 NLC Pittsburgh Fellow Jeremy Pesner is in the early stages of writing a book. He shares details on what's motivating him to take the plunge and what he hopes to cover in his work. Check it out.

2019 NLC Boston Fellow Evan Berry stops by The Zag to talk about the power and importance of unionizing staff members in Massachusetts state house. We hear about progress with the organizing efforts and some of the challenges in the way. Don't miss it.

2020 NLC South Texas Frontera Board Member Juan Livas joins The Zag to talk about the importance of after school programs in schools and districts. Hear more about how his work in that sector has evolved during the pandemic.

2022 NLC Frontera Fellow Jaime Andres Diez stops by The Zag to talk about political life in South Texas and what a railroad commissioner does. Don't miss it.

2022 NLC South Texas Frontera Fellow Marcella Juarez is the owner of Palo Blanco Farm & Ranch and a proponent of responsible agriculture. Tune in to hear more about her story and how it is positively impacting communities across Texas.

2021 NLC Kentucky Fellow Missy Spears shares the story of a NLC capstone project that has come to life in the community. Tune in to hear how a community fridge has brought folks together in inspiring ways. Don't miss it.

Having been elected to the Bell Gardens City Council in November 2020, Jorgel Chavez, 2022 NLC Los Angeles Fellow, is the youngest councilmember serving throughout Los Angeles County. He stops by The Zag to talk about campaigning during Covid, priorities for his community as an elected, and what meetings are like. Check it out!

Asha Castleberry-Hernandez, 2010 NLC New York Fellow, joins The Zag to discuss her work on foreign policy with the Biden Administration. Tune in to learn some new ways to stay updated on what's happening around the world and America's approach to these geopolitical current events.

Usha Tewari, 2017 NLC Orlando, is a first-generation Indian American, passionate advocate, and congressional ambassador. She worked full time and was the sole caregiver for her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. Usha understands what it takes to advocate for individuals, and she shares her passion and caregiving journey on social media on her own podcast. Check them out below. Instagram- @TheIndianCaregiver Podcast- The Indian Caregiver - Advocating & Caregiving in a Purple World

2021 NLC Chicago Fellow Tonyisha Harris joins The Zag to talk about climate justice and organizing youth in this country and worldwide to create the change we need. Learn more at the site below about Action for the Climate Emergency. https://acespace.org/

Nick Guthman, 2022 NLC Los Angeles Fellow, is a progressive political organizer based in his hometown of Los Angeles. Nick consults on various projects as a Partner at Democracy Partners, a national progressive political consulting firm, including digital and social media organizing, cultural organizing & creative advocacy, policy research and communications, community outreach and coalition building and talent/staff recruitment. On this episode, Nick also shares details about Blue Future, the largest youth-led, progressive political action committee in America. Blue Future envisions a world where no matter our color or origin, our income or zip code, desire and determination are the only things getting in the way of young people’s ability to push for a transformative and progressive agenda. Learn more at: https://ourbluefuture.us/

Ever wondered how campaigns and progressive movement-building organizations get their data? Or what do they do with it once they have it? More importantly, how does all this strengthen our democracy, help achieve progressive electoral victories, and build power for Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, other marginalized groups, and working-class Americans? Matt Mawhinney, 2016 NLC Miami Fellow, joins The Zag to answer these questions and more. He is involved with Introduction to Progressive Data, which is a free, 40-hour course covering some of the foundational tools and analytical frameworks in progressive data that will help you answer the questions above and launch a career in the progressive data and technology space. Apply for the course today! The application deadline is April 10th. Learn more and apply at generationdata.org/ipd

Rhiannon Cook, 2015 NLC Pittsburgh Fellows, returns to The Zag to share more about her latest venture: working on Black Maternal Health through a program called Spora Mommas. The organization is a virtual doula-led maternal support service designed to center Black joy and well-being throughout the maternal journey. Check it out!

Anna Gouker, NLC Wisconsin alumni and founder of The Rage Fund, was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic condition that requires them to use motorized wheelchairs and ventilators. In 2011 Anna earned her Master’s degree in rehabilitation psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today she serves as the Outreach Coordinator for AchieveAbilities, whose mission is to empower people to achieve their highest potential by fulfilling employment, financial and personal goals. Support her work by visiting The Rage Fund Website: jointherage.org