The Senate is debating whether or not to pass voting rights legislation. To discuss, we SPOTLIGHT Khalilah L. Brown-Dean. Brown-Dean is Associate Professor of Political Science at Quinnipiac University. With a keen eye toward the practical implications of democratic conflict, her research interests center on voting rights, criminal justice, election administration, and public policy. Brown-Dean has published numerous academic and popular pieces including a co-authored report on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that was presented during the 50th anniversary celebration of the historic Bloody Sunday March in Selma, Alabama. Media includes: The New York Times, The Hill, The Washington Post, Al Jazeera, NPR, Fox News.
The White House is looking to reset talks on the Build Back Better bill, which would include a child tax credit and paid family leave. To discuss, we FEATURE Vicki Shabo. Shabo is an expert on workplace gender equity and work/family policies in the United States, including paid family and medical leave and equal pay. As a strategist and analyst, she is steeped in both policy details and the political dynamics that typically surround policymakers’ consideration of these policies. Shabo is currently Senior Fellow for Paid Leave Policy and Strategy at New America, a Washington, D.C. think and action tank, where she is focused on charting a path to winning paid family and medical leave for every working person in the United States, no matter where they live or work or the job they hold. Media includes: The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, MSNBC, NPR.
On Sunday, a gunman attacked a synagogue in Dallas, Texas, and held attendees hostage for 11 hours. To discuss, we FEATURE Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. Rabbi Kleinbaum has been the Senior Rabbi of New York City's Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) since 1992. Under her leadership, CBST has become an important voice in Judaism, in the world-wide discourse on the nature of religious community, and in the movement to secure basic civil rights for gay people everywhere. Rabbi Kleinbaum's education and experience cut across all varieties of contemporary Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and secular activist. Media includes: The Forward, Jewish Week.
Joss Whedon has spoken up after receiving multiple misconduct allegations from productions he oversaw, most notably Justice League and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. To discuss, we FEATURE Audrey Roofeh. Roofeh is the founder and CEO of Mariana Strategies LLC, a Washington, DC-based workplace culture consulting firm focused on preventing workplace harassment. She is an employment lawyer and certified change management practitioner, who frequently speaks and writes on issues of workplace equity and inclusion. As CEO of Mariana Strategies, Roofeh works with businesses in manufacturing, politics, fashion, sciences, and media, as well as national and international non-profits, think tanks and educational institutions to deliver workplace culture solutions to prevent harassment and build inclusion. Media includes: Truthout, The Startup, FairyGodBoss.
Microsoft will buy Activision Blizzard even though the video company is in the midst of a sexual harassment lawsuit. To discuss, we FEATURE Sheerine Alemzadeh. Alemzadeh is an attorney and the co-founder and co-director of Healing to Action, a non-profit organization building a worker-led movement to end gender violence. A legal expert on workplace sexual violence, she has forged strategic partnerships across the nation to develop community-based, survivor-centered responses to gender-based violence against low-wage workers. In addition to litigating sexual harassment, sexual assault, and civil rights cases, Alemzadeh co-founded the Coalition Against Workplace Sexual Violence, a collaboration between rape crisis agencies, civil rights organizations, workers centers, and government agencies. Media includes: Huffington Post, Role Reboot, Chicago Reporter, Labor Notes.
The anniversary of Roe v Wade is on Janaury 22. To discuss the importance of access to safe, legal, and affordable abortion, we FEATURE Robin Marty. Marty is the Communications Director for West Alabama Women’s Center, a freelance reporter and the author of the book Handbook for a Post-Roe America, a guide for what to do if and when Roe is overturned and states make abortion illegal. She is also the co-author of "The End of Roe v. Wade" (formerly "Crow After Roe"), an updated account of 12 different abortion laws meant to provoke challenges to Roe v. Wade. Marty specializes in abortion rights and access and the anti-abortion movement and figures. Media includes: The Washington Post, Alabama Public Radio, NBC News, DAME Magazine, Cosmopolitan, The Guardian, Politico.
Today, the Senate will vote on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). To discuss, we FEATURE Laura L. Dunn. Dunn is a nationally recognized victim rights attorney routinely featured in national media. Dunn is the Founding Partner of the L.L. Dunn Law Firm, as well as a published legal scholar, adjunct at Maryland Law, liaison to the American Law Institute’s Model Penal Code on Sexual Assault and Student Sexual Misconduct Project, and appointed member to the ABA’s Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence (2016-2019) and the ABA's Criminal Justice Section Task Force on College Due Process and Victim Protection (2017). For 9 years, Dunn was the Executive Director of SurvJustice, which provides legal services to survivors across the country and trains institutions of higher education on compliance with Title IX and the Clery Act. Extensive media experience.
The University of Michigan will be paying $490 million to more than 1,000 students to settle a case involving a doctor who has been accused of sexually abusing student athletes. To discuss, we FEATURE Wagatwe Wanjuki. Wanjuki is a feminist activist, speaker, writer, and digital strategist best known for her work as a national campus anti-violence advocate. Since launching a campaign for a better sexual assault policy at Tufts University in 2009, she's continued to work for a world free of gender-based violence. As a sought-out writer on social issues, she's been published in outlets including BuzzFeed, Feministing, Upworthy, The Establishment, Cosmopolitan.com, The Daily Dot, ESSENCE magazine, and The New York Times. Her commentary on sexual violence and related issues appearances include The Daily Show, Democracy Now!, CNN, and MSNBC's All in with Chris Hayes.















