#TalkRadio – August 8 – Making Good Trouble

SPEAKERS:

Colonel Myles B. Caggins III: 12:00 PM – 12:13 PM ET
Special Contractor, USDA; Retired Colonel; CEO, Words Warriors, LLC

Ms. Betty Boynton: 12:15 PM – 12:43 PM ET
Edmund Pettus Bridge Footsoldier

Mr. Ronnie Barnes: 12:15 PM – 12:43 PM ET
Author, “Amelia 1965 Old Battles Become New Again: Voting Rights-Civil Rights” (2023, co-authored by Betty Boynton), “Amelia Boynton Robinson – Biography: Matriarch of the Voting Rights Movement” (2020), “Daily Diary” (2018), and others

Clarence Adarian Fambro: 12:35 PM – 12:57 PM ET
TJC Fellow; Junior at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Business Administration; Founder/CEO of Prestigious Automotive Detailing, Prestigious Auto Brokerage & Consultancy, and The Prestigious Group Scholarship Foundation. 

Jada Beasley: 12:35 PM – 12:57 PM ET
TJC 2017 Fellow; Clinic Receptionist; graduate of Agnes Scott College, majoring in Film and Social Justice. During her time there created an award winning short film.; volunteer

INTRODUCTION:

The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled, “Making Good Trouble: Celebrating the 58th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Gen Z leadership, and educating about the Black Farmers’ Discrimination Fund”, will be live with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and guests Colonel Myles B. Caggins III, Mr. Ronnie Barnes, Ms. Betty Boynton, Clarence Adarian Fambro, and Jada  Beasley. Please note, for those in Ohio, today is the day to make your voice heard! 

“Ohio voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in a closely watched special election to decide a question known as Issue 1, which could have a major impact on whether the right to an abortion becomes enshrined in the state constitution later this fall.

In Tuesday’s contest, voters will consider a simple proposition: whether to raise the threshold required to amend the Ohio Constitution through the ballot box. Under the proposal, constitutional amendments would require the support of 60% of voters, rather than the simply majority currently needed. If approved, it would make it more difficult to amend the state constitution.

The two ballot measures — Tuesday’s question on raising the standards to pass a constitutional amendment, and November’s proposal on enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution — have garnered immense interest from voters and stakeholders nationwide. Ohio is the only state with abortion access on the ballot this year. 

Early voter turnout in Ohio has surged for Tuesday’s special election, with more than 578,000 people voting by mail or in-person since early voting began June 23, the Ohio secretary of state’s office reported Friday. By comparison, 288,700 people voted early for the May 2022 primary election, according to the Associated Press.” Learn more here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/issue-1-ohio-special-election-ballot-abortion-rights-state-constitution/ 

August 8th, today, is an important election day for Ohio. Call 866-OUR-VOTE if you have questions or need assistance. Visit http://ohiosos.gov to find your polling place, as they have Call 866-OUR-VOTE if you have questions or need assistance. Visit http://ohiosos.gov to find your polling place, as it may have recently changed. 

For the first segment of the show, Guest Colonel Myles B. Caggins III will give Igniting Change’s weekly update on The Black Farmers’ Discrimination Fund. More info: https://thegrio.com/2023/07/07/black-farmers-usda-discrimination-financial-assistance-program/ 

This show will discuss Black farmers and the Black farmers fund, from the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program which is being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act contains an assistance fund for farmers who were discriminated against. This fund has $2.2b to cover 75 million applicants and covers anyone who can provide proof that they were discriminated against by the federal government. You can only apply up to October through the 40 page application which started on July 7th. How do we best outreach to all of these farmers, particularly, Black farmers who are eligible? 

During the second segment of the show, Betty Boynton and Ronnie Barnes recapping TJC’s August 5th National Broadcast in honor of the Voting Rights Act. August 6th was the 58th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Transformative Justice Coalition and Partners held a major program in Honor of this milestone to highlight the achievements of the VRA and the voter suppression challenges of our times. The show included tributes to John Lewis, Amelia Boynton Robinson, Hosea Williams, Betty Boynton, Viola Liuzzo, Rev James Reeb, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., CT Vivian, Diane Nash, and so many more who sacrificed so much to make the Act possible! The event was moderated by Daryl Jones, and included guest speakers Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr, LaTosha Brown, Rev. Dr. William J Barber II, Virginia Kase Solomon, Barbara Arnwine, and more modern day Voting Rights advocates! A special highlight of the broadcast was an interview with Ronnie Barnes and Betty Boynton. Betty, at 15 years old, participated in the Bloody Sunday March. Rodney K. Barnes co-authored of  their new book “Amelia 1965 Old Battles Become New Again: Voting Rights-Civil Rights”. The broadcast was a tremendous 4-hour event with many amazing speakers that was watched by people in-person and all over the country. On site, families and children enjoyed the cookout, face painting, car-arcade, and Hoopbus during the event, as well as t-shirt and banned book giveaways from TJC, Ronnie Barnes, and Wisconsin Voices. We urge everyone to watch the video at https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=302865505611621. More information can be found in this news article: https://news.yahoo.com/rally-sherman-park-celebrates-58th-214025615.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAB5KBh2YLdcBv6-xSP5weMYu-AgeSy9_0KqSNh6yMd3Icvcp1RXU3rIZelUMyvKQi-qBz_g4YO6izXF08IynxYTOVtprb4Fm1KFOm4c6Ch9elRLUfLXh0waoc6PvARQ2DRCFZ136-eYW_tnJjV0hpJlmE7lyaUI_tt4vmyT5FeBV (Please note that there is no Ahmaud Arbery Foundation to which we are a partner).

Joining us at the Broadcast were several TJC Fellows and Freedom Riders, including Cameron Barnes, Juan Avares, Constance Crockett, Bryan Sanders, and Jayson Davis. TJC was very happy to prepare for their next Gen Z and Millennial Votes Matter Leadership event to be held September 20th – 24th in Washington, D.C. during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference for those 18-35 years old. The application deadline is fast approaching on August 24th. This is a paid training opportunity with a $500 stipend and round-trip all expenses paid to Washington, D.C. for the entire event. The stipend is for your attendance and completion of a work plan. There will also be assigned homework prior to the event. To receive the stipend, you must attend every day, uphold a code of conduct, and complete all assignments. The deadline to apply is August 24th, 2023, and proof of full vaccination or exemption is required. During the final segment of this show, TJC Fellows (those who were former participants of this program) and Florida Freedom Riders Clarence Adarian Fambro and Jada Beasley will be on to discuss the August 5th National Broadcast and the upcoming Training.

The nonpartisan “Igniting Change Radio Show with Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq.” program will be aired from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Radio One’s WOL 1450 AM in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as nationwide on WOLDCNEWS.COM and Barbaraarnwine.com. The questions included below the description are designed to provide a guide but are not the only possible questions, nor may they be asked in the exact same order.  

QUESTIONS:

SEGMENT ONE [Questions for USDA about the Black Farmers’ Fund]

• On Friday, July 7th, the USDA announced this $2.2 billion fund for Black Farmers. What is this fund?
• Let’s talk about some specifics of this fund. Who is eligible? 
• Let’s discuss who can apply and how can they apply to this new fund?
• How do we best outreach to all of these farmers, particularly Black farmers, who are eligible?

SEGMENT TWO AND THREE

• You just returned from Milwaukee from TJC’s National Broadcast. How was that experience?
• Betty Boynton, please tell people how you became involved in the Selma voting rights struggle.
• Tell us about March 7th, 1965.
• How many other 15 year olds were out there on that bridge with you?
• One of your inspirations was Amelia Boynton. Tell the audience about her.
• Ronnie, tell us about your new book that was co-authored with Betty.
• Where can people purchase the book?
• This is your second book on Amelia Boynton, what inspires you about her?
• Betty, When the Voting Rights Act was passed, how did you feel?
• Ms. Betty, we want to meet some of our TJC Fellows. What is your message to today’s younger generation, the Millennial and Gen Z-ers?
• We are preparing a training event to be held Sept. 20th-24th, what would you tell them that you wish you could of learned early in your career as an activist?
• Ronnie and Betty, What is the major work that you’re pursuing right now?
• What do you think is the most important grassroots organizing that you think needs to happen in order to ensure strong voter protection and engagement in November 2023 and 2024?
• What are your final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?

SEGMENT FOURTH

• The next Gen Z and Millennial Votes Matter Leadership event to be held September 20th – 24th in Washington, D.C. during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference. The application deadline is fast approaching on August 24th. This is a paid training opportunity with a $500 stipend and round-trip all expenses paid to Washington, D.C. for the entire event. The stipend is for your attendance and completion of a work plan. There will also be assigned homework prior to the event. You must be 18-35 years old in order to attend. To receive the stipend, you must attend every day, uphold a code of conduct, and complete all assignments. The deadline to apply is August 24th, 2023, and proof of full vaccination or exemption is required. Why do you recommend that people apply?
• What has been the impact of the Training on your life?
• What have you found the most beneficial from the Training?
• What does the 58th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act mean for you?

Final Questions to guests:

• What is the major work that you’re pursuing right now?
• What do you think is the most important grassroots organizing that you think needs to happen in order to ensure strong voter protection and engagement in November 2023 and 2024?
• What are your final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?