This episode of #SundayCivics opens with  L. Joy’s excitement. She’s introducing a new tool she has created for us! The “Get Vote Ready: A Journal for the Empowered Voter” is here! The journal is designed as a comprehensive guide to help voters stay informed, organized, and empowered not just for the current election, but for future elections as well. L. Joy brings Laura Baran to the front of the class to discuss her artistic contribution to the Get Vote Ready Journal. Then April R. Silver brings Toni Blackman to the front of the class for the "Arts and Activism" segment powered by AKILA WORKSONGS.

This episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy opens by highlighting the urgency as election day approaches in just 50 days. With early voting starting soon in several states, she encourages listeners to develop a voting plan tailored to their needs—whether voting by mail, early in-person, or on election day. Williams emphasizes the importance of researching state-specific voting rules to avoid last-minute issues and voter suppression challenges. She’s also discussing the historic School Board elections in Chicago and brings journalist Samantha Smylie to the front of the class for that conversation. Then L. Joy introduces the inaugural Arts and Activism segment powered by Akila WORKSONGS, April R. Silver brings Grammy-winning artist and candidate in Chicago’s school board elections, Rhymefest to the front of the class. 

As we look ahead to the upcoming election cycle, it’s clear that now, more than ever, civic engagement is crucial. In this episode L. Joy focuses on key issues impacting families during the election cycle. First, she gives us a quick Do Now, then she highlights critical topics such as reproductive rights, the economy, rising costs of living, and community safety, and gun violence with Monifa Bandele, COO and Senior Vice President of Maternal Justice Campaigns at MomsRising Together, and then Ailen Arreaza, Executive Director of Parents Together at the front of the class.

This episode of #SundayCivics is a powerful reminder of the importance of civic participation in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. L. Joy’s lesson is all about recognizing the power we hold at every level of government and how vital issues like reproductive freedom are motivating people to get out and vote. For this conversation, she brings Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, to the front of the class. Then L. Joy introduces her new segment Arts and Activism, bringing founder and CEO of Akila WORKSONGS to the front of the class to discuss the powerful role that art plays in social justice and political movements. But first, L. Joy gives us this week’s Do Now- get to know your state legislature. 

It’s time for class! To start, L. Joy shares positive news, celebrating a legal victory by the Brooklyn NAACP, which successfully challenged New York's line-warming ban on constitutional grounds. She emphasizes the importance of staying engaged despite negative polls or disillusionment, highlighting her commitment to boosting voter turnout in New York, battleground state Pennsylvania, and beyond. L. Joy also calls out the hypocrisy of some politicians who claim to support Black families while failing to back policies that actually benefit them. She gives us our Do Now, then brings Patti Russo, Executive Director of The Campaign School at Yale to the front of the class to discuss how the organization prepares women to run for office. 

Our civics teacher is back! L. Joy begins class by discussing the consistent voter turnout of women in elections, emphasizing their significant role in the electorate. She introduces the topic of the episode—women in politics and for this discussion, L. Joy brings researchers Kelly Dittmar and Kira Sanbonmatsu from the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University to the front of the class to delve deeper into the impact of women in political life.