L. Joy is constantly teaching us that all elections are important. On this episode, she shares a discussion she co-moderated for Higher Heights Glynda Carr. This “She’s Got Next, Ohio Edition” spotlights their conversations with candidates running in Ohio’s 11th Congressional District’s special election, Nina Turner and Shontel Brown.

On this episode of #SundayCivics, L. Joy welcomes Ibrahim Salhi Abdul-Matin back to the front of the class and they are expanding on their last conversation “Governing Our Persistent Human Problems.” Abdul-Matin explains how the Environmental Justice movement has transcended into a new world of effectiveness with the language of the EJ framework being used by government from the local to federal level. There is still work to be done so they give us ways more ways to challenge ourselves and #GetCivicallyEngaged around the climate because the planet’s health is our health.

The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance and struggle of the essential workers who work service based jobs providing care for other people. Who are the homecare and nursing home care workers and how can we support them while working through the long-term care solutions? L. Joy brings April Verrett to the front of the class for this critical and timely discussion.

On June 15, 2021, the Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda was released. More than 30 Black Women’s organizations and Reproductive Justice activists came together to create this important document which addresses issues at the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation and gender identity within the situational impacts of economics, politics and culture. L. Joy brings Marcela Howell and Dazon Dixon Diallo to the front of the class to give us a lesson on Reproductive Justice and share the fine points of this agenda.

On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the enslaved peoples of Galveston Texas were freed. That day became known as Juneteenth. On June 17, 2021 President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday. To explain what Juneteenth is and what it means to America, L. Joy brings noted scholars Chaédria LaBouvier, Dr. Melanye Price, and Dr. Melynda J. Price to the front of the class. Then, L. Joy has a special Juneteenth treat for the class-the incomparable Stephanie Mills comes to the front of the class to share her new single “Let’s Do The Right Thing.”