The Brown Girls Guide to Politics

Wonder Media Network

Welcome to The Brown Girls Guide to Politics -- the one stop shop for women of color who want to hear and talk about the world of politics. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. Episodes include interviews with politicians, candidates, and influencers. Get ready for roundtables, analyzing current events, and more! read less

Our Editor's Take

The Brown Girls Guide to Politics is a podcast for BIPOC women who want to extend their education on the topic. It can help explain how new laws and decisions affect the everyday lives of minority women. It also showcases the changes and positive initiatives that women of color participate in. Finally, it's a place for those who hope to get into politics and seek inspiration from other influential women and people of color.

Guests on the The Brown Girls Guide to Politics podcast come from leading positions in the field. Stacey Abrams, for instance, spoke about the importance of the right to vote. Deb Haaland shared her journey to become US Secretary of the Interior. She explained how hard work made up for the fact that she didn't come from privilege. Other noteworthy guests include Senator Elizabeth Warren and transgender activist Imara Jones.

The podcast host, A'shanti Gholar, didn't have a political upbringing. The only connection her parents had to the field was exercising their right to vote. Gholar developed her interest completely by chance. As a young child, she flipped the TV channels and discovered C-SPAN. The arguments on the screen intrigued her, and she felt amazed by the passion these people had for the US. Later, Gholar had the opportunity to work on several candidate campaigns.

Over the years, the podcast host spent her time as a grassroots organizer. She supported marginalized communities and mentored young people. Nowadays, she is the president of Emerge. It's an organization that recruits and prepares Democratic women to run for office. All of this work led Gholar to create The Brown Girls Guide to Politics. She wanted to provide the same opportunities she had for other women of color. Her way to do so was to make information about politics accessible and easy to digest. More than that, she wished to show minority women that they belonged in politics. She believes they should claim their place in the conversation.

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Episodes

Uplifting the Black Vote with LaTosha Brown
Nov 8 2022
Uplifting the Black Vote with LaTosha Brown
It’s election day: the time to exercise our constitutional right to vote. While it should be simple to cast a ballot, it's often not. And that’s not by accident. The Black vote has never truly been protected, and many states are passing new legislation to actively suppress Black votes. In BGG’s Season 9 finale, A’shanti welcomes back previous guest LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund. Together, they lay out the various forces at play in our country that contribute to voter suppression, and discuss why building political power and embracing community is so vital when it comes to turning the political tides. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
America’s Inescapable Racial Violence Problem
Nov 1 2022
America’s Inescapable Racial Violence Problem
Though many view it as an ugly relic of the past, violence against Black and brown folks is still a massive problem in the United States. A’shanti brings on Melanie Campbell, the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, to talk about the racial violence epidemic in our country. Much of Melanie’s work centers civil rights and social justice with a focus on building Black political power. They discuss the opportunity that the upcoming midterms present to vote in leaders who are vocal about ending the cycles of violence impacting our communities, and why police reform is so needed.AB:ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
Investing in the Future through Education
Oct 25 2022
Investing in the Future through Education
Not only is the classroom the gateway to education, it’s also the first place we learn about ourselves. Growing up, so many Black and brown kids learn not just about math and science, but about racism, microaggressions, and the world through the biases kids – and teachers – bring into the classroom. Lately, conservatives have been buzzing with complaints about the books children are being taught and critical race theory brainwashing children. This politicization of education is rooted in white supremacy. To understand what’s happening in classrooms today, A’shanti talks to parent and educator Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera who is the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at her local school district.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
A Uniquely American Problem: the Gun Violence Epidemic
Oct 18 2022
A Uniquely American Problem: the Gun Violence Epidemic
Gun violence is a uniquely American problem that has only gotten worse in recent years. In 2020, there were nearly 50,000 gun related deaths in the United States. However, in June 2022, gun violence prevention advocates saw a victory when President Biden signed into law the first major piece of gun safety legislation that Congress has passed in nearly thirty years. A’shanti sits down to discuss the gun violence epidemic with Monisha Henley, the Managing Director of State Government Affairs at Everytown, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. They break down this year’s legislative win and what it leaves unaddressed. With the midterm elections just around the corner, they emphasize the importance of voting in gun sense candidates and holding not only individuals but also the gun industry accountable. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
Immigrant Rights are Human Rights
Oct 11 2022
Immigrant Rights are Human Rights
Immigrants are a huge part of what makes America…America. And in recent months, we’ve seen an increasing number of  immigrants arrive at our southern border, many of them fleeing violence and persecution to claim asylum in the United States. A’shanti speaks with immigration attorney Katherine Ventura of the Capital Area Immigrant Rights (CAIR) Coalition about the complexities of doing her job in a country that denies the humanity and rights of so many immigrants. They talk about Title 42 and the “Remain in Mexico” policy and discuss the reasons  immigrants need AND deserve legal representation.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
Let’s Give Money to Black Women
Oct 4 2022
Let’s Give Money to Black Women
The economy impacts all of us, but economic issues disproportionately impact Black and brown women. In this episode, A’shanti speaks with organizer Hope Wollensack, who is the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity (GRO) Fund, an organization that advances solutions to racial and economic injustice. In their conversation, A’shanti and Hope discuss universal basic income, break down the racist myth of the “welfare queen,” and get into how giving money directly to Black women can positively impact various outcomes in their lives.ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
The Truth About Environmental Racism
Sep 27 2022
The Truth About Environmental Racism
Youth climate activist Nalleli Cobo grew up in South Central Los Angeles across the street from a toxic oil drilling site. From a young age, she experienced headaches, nosebleeds, asthma, body spasms, and at age 19, she was diagnosed with cancer. Alongside her mother, she began attending meetings and going door-to-door to spread information about the dangers of oil extraction and in 2020, she successfully shut down the drilling site in her neighborhood. In this episode, Nalleli and A’shanti discuss how Nalleli went from being a shy girl to a powerful climate activist, the horrors of environmental racism, and Nalleli’s hopes for the future of the climate movement. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram
Rebuilding the House: A Post-Roe Conversation
Sep 20 2022
Rebuilding the House: A Post-Roe Conversation
The overturning of Roe v. Wade was one of the most sensational events of the year, though not for the better. In the season 9 premiere, A’shanti sits down with Oriaku Njoku, the new executive director for the National Network for Abortion Funds to talk about what’s next following the fall of this landmark decision. They delve into the reasons abortion is healthcare, the importance of Black women’s voices at the forefront of the reproductive justice movement, and why it’s time for a radical reimagining of Roe. ActBlue’s online fundraising tools make it easy to support the candidates and causes you care about. At ActBlue.com/directory, you can donate directly to Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, and join the millions of grassroots donors who are driving people-powered change across the country. The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.Follow The BGG:WebsiteTwitterInstagramFollow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteTwitterInstagram