In this episode, Co-host Diane Little and Dr. Rita interview Robert Dawkins political director and organizer and Robert Dawkins of Action NC. Robert sheds tremendous insight on why the solutions we find to social issues seem to always miss the mark: there is the disconnect between people in communities, academics, donors, and legislators that results in ineffective solutions birthed from bad research. In a refreshing conversation about real lives, data, and laws, Robert puts in lay terms the importance of trauma-informed research (stop asking us to tell the same traumatizing stories), the importance of lived experience (no parachuting researchers and donors), and mixed-method approaches (we need experiences and stories). He also offers up the disconnect that many Black men feel with the Democratic party: its fixation on incarceration alienates everyday Black men who would like to focus on something else.

Our political moment: Robert also shares some of the good things about Preemption and Dillon law--State standards that are generally wielded by conservatives to constrain progressive cities but that have some perks for progressives as well.

Robert Dawkins is the founder & State Organizer for SAFE Coalition NC which is a project of Action NC and made up of over 15 community-based advocacy groups working to end discriminatory profiling and promote civil liberty protections for all North Carolina residents. Before starting SAFE Coalition NC, Robert worked for 7 year with Democracy North Carolina as the Western NC Field Organizer where his work centered on organizing communities of color on the issues of voter rights, voter access and ending voter disenfranchisement. Robert was the Head Organizer for the Charlotte chapter of ACORN for 3 years where he worked in low to moderate income neighborhoods building neighborhood capacity, neighborhood power and on leadership development. Robert has a B.A in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Robert was a selected as a Charlottean of the Year in 2019 by Charlotte Magazine.

Resources
Dillon law and preemption
Robert Dawkins and Defund the police podcast
Podcast with Rep Autry
Robert's organization Action NC

Originally recorded on April 23, 2024.

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In this episode, my co-Host Diane Little and I interview PA State House Representative Chris Rabb (called Rep Rabb). This episode is a provides profound insight into the ethic of public service--for Rep Rabb insists on not being called a politician--because it's service, not a profession. His service spans, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Commerce, Finance, Veterans affairs, and the Judiciary. Join us as we take a walk in his world of advocacy through, agrivoltaics, sustainability, electoral reform, innovation, and some political successes. Through it all Rep Rabb tells us he draws strength from his ancestors for his successes: renaming landmarks, prohibition from police officers assaulting people in custody, and a state interdepartmental interstate database that makes it harder for suspended police in one district to serve in another (among others).

PA House Representative Christopher Rabb (known as Rep Rabb) is the most senior progressive state legislator in Pennsylvania, State Rep. Chris Rabb, the four-term incumbent for northwest Philadelphia’s 200th legislative district, has dedicated his tenure to public service.

His legislative priorities include taxing the excessively wealthy, repealing the death penalty, full and fair funding of public education, climate action, safer communities and raising the minimum wage to a true living wage.

He has authored over 100 bills and resolutions, centering the most-impacted populations in his legislative work. Some of his boldest bills include his Fair Share Tax Plan, and a bill to transition Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

RepRabb is a co-founder of the Progressive Legislators Working Group, the antecedent to the PA Progressive Caucus on whose founding board he serves.

Resources
Rep Rabb's website
Rep Rabb's track record accomplishments
Rep Rabb's instagram
Rep Rabb's twitter
More on Agrivoltaics

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In this episode our Hosts Dr. Rita and Diane Little welcome our guest, Michael posits that the Democratic Party is always in crises, by its inclusive nature, because it tends to fold within it, the crises of the communities it attempts to represent. We review the variety and intent of Caucuses: their history, purpose and relevance: the Black caucus, African American Caucus, Women's Caucus, Young Dem's Caucus, Rural Caucus, County caucuses, and district caucuses, etc.

We identify a breakdown in the intent and the trust in the relationship between caucuses and the Democratic party. Caucuses were born to inform the party of the issues among voters in exchange for the party's commitment to addressing these issues. Bringing issues to the party would strengthen the party because the solutions would strengthen the communities. Instead, today, it seems that identity politics has proliferated the diversity of caucuses who pull the party in multiple directions--weakening it, not strengthening it. What's missing is a building of collective will beyond the individual agendas--so the party can move beyond priority-setting to building collective will.

Today's guest is Michael Lawson. Michael is Originally from Brooklyn New York. He moved to Queens some years later. For the last 33 years Michael has lived in Charlotte NC. And has been a true leader and innovator in Charlotte Democratic politics. He has served as: The President of the Democratic Party's African American Caucus for Mecklenburg county. The 8th district Dem chairperson, a former State Executive Committee member for 10 years, and currently serves in his favorite role as the Democratic Chairman for Precinct 4 in Charlotte NC.

Michael has taught media literacy at the North West school of the
Arts for nine years and at Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC. For the last 13 years, Michael has Hosted a blog Talk Radio Show called "The Last Word" (pre-dating the show on MSNBC) a weekly Political Talk Radio Show on Fridays, 3-6 pm on www.blogtalkradio.com. The show covers more than Political Talk it covers the gambit, from Politics, Education, Health Care, Sports, Music and the Movies, most any and everything.

Michael is married to Penny a wonderful lady. for 44 yrs. He has 2 daughters who have given him 3 grandsons. Michael Lawson is considered a Fierce advocate for democracy.

Resources:
Black Caucus website
African American Caucus, North Carolina Democratic Party website
Michael Lawson's podcast

Episode Originally recorded on March 19, 2024.

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To recomend a guest contact us at: media@FierroConsultingllc.com
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