Did you know that the Asian American Pacific Island (AAPI) population is, according to the AAPI Victory Fund, 23 million plus people strong with roots from countries in East, South, and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. They have vast ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity and make up approximately six percent of America’s population. L. Joy brings AAPI Victory Fund President and CEO, Brad Jenkins, to the front of the class to break down coalition building, engaging and empowering the AAPI population, and why PACs can be a force for good.

“Congratulations, you are simply glowing!” “You’re going to be a wonderful mother, I’m so happy for you,” are just a few of the phrases said to women who are pregnant. But when it comes to teenage pregnancy and teenage fatherhood, you may not hear those words and most certainly will experience shame and lack of support, at a time when you would need the most support. L. Joy brings Nicole Lynn Lewis to the front of the class to discuss teen parenthood and how we as a society can give the support our young parents deserve.

We are aware of the fight for and civic actions we should take to protect voting rights. But how much thought do we give to our method of voting? Right now, we mostly use plurality voting, in which the winner takes all, yet there are other methods too. L. Joy nerds out on this episode with Aaron Hamlin to discuss Approval Voting as a voting method. First, Nakita Hemmingway is featured in the Vote Mama Candidate Spotlight.

Since Texas passed SB8, several states legislatures have followed suit with their own versions of legislation that would severely restrict abortion access in the hopes it will be challenged on the federal level, placing Roe v Wade at risk. To give us the lay of the reproductive justice land and action steps to get engaged, L. Joy brings Kelley Robinson to the front of the class. But first, L. Joy catches up with Liuba Grechen Shirley and chats with Vote Mama Spotlight Candidate Sarah Godlewski.

You may think the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which states “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex,” is already the law of the land, maybe, kind of. And it is, but it is complicated. To explain the history of the ERA of and what is happening now so we can get engaged, L. Joy brings Carol Jenkins, CEO of ERA Coalition, to the front of the class. But first, L. Joy gives us the primer we need on how we amend the Constitution and brings Vote Mama Candidate Spotlight Jen Jordan to the front of the class.

Although President Barack Obama made being an organizer “sexy,” being an organizer from the ground up is hard work. L. Joy brings the new Executive Director of Community Voices Heard (CVH), Juanita O. Lewis, to the front of the class to discuss her life in organizing, best practices and strategies for organizing, and she shares CVH’s survey and initiative, Follow Black Women.