The Zag

Constance Luo is a NLC Houston 2019 Fellow. Her background is in community organizing, elections, local policy, leadership development, interpretation and language justice. She works with Tecolotl, a collective based in Houston that was co-founded by another NLC - Houston alumni, José Eduardo Sánchez. She credits NLC, specifically Charisse Price of NLC - Atlanta, with the opportunity to be a Natio...

2018 Silicon Valley Fellow Jessica Dickinson Goodman stops by The Zag to talk about her NLC chapter and what they are looking for in prospective applicants. We also chat about encryption and privacy. To learn more about how to get involved with the Silicon Valley chapter, follow these directions: NLC Silicon Valley upcoming meet and greets are: - Wednesday, August 30th, 5-6pm, Url: https://meet.go...

Meghan Singh, 2017 NLC Boston Fellow is a bilingual school psychologist in practice since 2010, practicing primarily in urban settings. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and a Licensed Educational Psychologist through the MA Board of Allied Mental Health. Meghan established Singh Psychological Services in 2018 in response to increasing needs of schools and community organizations....

Tune in to hear from 2014 NLC Augusta Fellow Elle Michell. She leads Intelligent Intentions LLC, which is a boutique consulting firm committed to transforming small business suppliers into valuable corporate risk partners. This work allows small business suppliers to scale and engage with large companies and government entities in a risk responsible manner.  If you are interested in exploring furt...

Why aren't more campaigns targeting voters from the 3rd largest and fastest growing racial group in Los Angeles? Listen in as Dr. Andrew Murphy, NLC Los Angeles 2020 Fellow speaks about their recent efforts to change this, explains why engaging with Asian voters is critical, and shares research-backed insights on how to do it. Learn more about his work: Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County: Websi...

2023 NLC Austin Fellow Sattie Nyachwaya stops by The Zag. We talk about why she wanted to do NLC so much she drove from Dallas to Austin for every session and also about her work in public health. Don't miss it!

Richard Leong, 2019 NLC Los Angeles, talks about his work in DEI and what he's seeing as the concepts and ideas underpinning those efforts come under increased disinformation attacks. He also shares his philosophy behind LinkedIn posts and his memories of the NLC Fellowship. Check it out.

NLC Los Angeles Co-Director and 4x Zag guest MaryEllen Veliz stops by to talk about the upcoming NLC Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas. Come for the talk about why Convention is such a powerful experience and stay for her enthusiasm about her beloved San Antonio Spurs. 

NLC Houston 2021 alum, Tamira Samuel, joins The Zag to share details about her role as the National Co-Executive Director of Urban Leaders Fellowship. In her work, she helps trains early to mid-career professionals from diverse backgrounds, affiliations, and industries to make a positive impact in their communities through public policy exposure and community engagement. Tune in to hear more!

Barbara Barreno-Paschall, 2016 NLC Chicago Fellow, shares her NLC experience during a major life transition from working at a global law firm to studying public policy and later becoming a civil rights attorney. She currently serves as Vice Chair and Commissioner of the State of Illinois Human Rights Commission, appointed by Governor JB Pritzker, and discusses her work enforcing the Illinois Human...

2016 NLC Philadelphia Fellow Jo Lin stops by to talk about her work diversifying the health care field. Tune in to hear more about how you can support a great cause. Health Career Connection: https://www.healthcareers.org/More info on becoming a HCC partner/host site: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EEoBKY24M9Fk7oy_YmsjNKK6awyDwJgL/viewBook time with Jo: https://calendly.com/jlinhcc/30min 

Natasha Baker, 2012 NLC Silicon Valley Fellow, returns to The Zag to talk about her new podcast, Natasha Explains It All, where she talks about current affairs, making the world a better place, and shares her perspective as a dual American and Brazilian citizen. Natasha Baker is a lawyer, writer, and now podcaster based in Oakland, CA. She is a staff attorney at Equal Justice Under Law, where she...

Sahil Patel, 2018 NLC Orlando, stop by The Zag to share a unique story of how he ended up in Florida as well as his work in the nonprofit world there. Don't miss it!

Zack Sheehan, 2017 NLC New Hampshire, stops by The Zag and shares about his work fighting for fair funding for schools in New Hampshire. Tune in to learn more about his advocacy efforts and how you can help the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project. https://fairfundingnh.org/

Jaime-Alexis Fowler, 2009 NLC Boston Fellow, returns to The Zag to talk about the challenges facing workers in this job market. She leads Empower Work, which is a national nonprofit on a mission to build healthy, equitable workplaces where people can thrive. They offer a confidential text line for workers. If you're dealing with harassment, job loss, work stress, you can connect with a trained pee...

2023 NLC Arkansas Fellow Dara Gaines joins The Zag to talk about your current NLC experience. We also hear from her about positive signs for political organizing in the state and what it's like trying to get a PhD to the finish line. Don't miss it.

2016 NLC San Antonio Fellow MaryEllen Veliz stops by to talk about her experience serving as a NLC LEAD Facilitator for the new crop of NLC Fellows. MaryEllen also talks about what's ahead in her new role as NLC Los Angeles Co-Chapter Director. The Zag is back. Tune in.

2020 NLC Arkansas Founding Fellow Leon Jones, III reflects on his NLC experience and the political landscape in his state right now. He's working comms for Democratic candidate for Governor Chris Jones. Keep tabs on the race at: chrisforgovernor.com IG: jonesforar Twitter: jonesforAR 

2021 NLC Los Angeles Fellow Asabi Ifatunji joins The Zag to talk about how his NLC Capstone Project has evolved since it's conception last year. He takes restorative justice and community building our latest episode. Check it out.

Kyle Gracey, NLC Pittsburgh chapter founder, joins The Zag live from NLC Convention in Philly to talk about the origin story behind starting the chapter and more. We also dive into some of the things to watch for in PA politics before the midterms. Don't miss it.

Eric Brown, 2015 Nashville, joins The Zag live at NLC Convention in Philly to share more about his first published book called Weekend Reflections. He chronicles the inspiration behind it and the journey of getting it to print. Check it out and buy it from his Instagram page: @ericebrownjr. 

2021 NLC Pittsburgh Fellow Jeremy Pesner is in the early stages of writing a book. He shares details on what's motivating him to take the plunge and what he hopes to cover in his work. Check it out.

2019 NLC Boston Fellow Evan Berry stops by The Zag to talk about the power and importance of unionizing staff members in Massachusetts state house. We hear about progress with the organizing efforts and some of the challenges in the way. Don't miss it.

2020 NLC South Texas Frontera Board Member Juan Livas joins The Zag to talk about the importance of after school programs in schools and districts. Hear more about how his work in that sector has evolved during the pandemic. 

2022 NLC Frontera Fellow Jaime Andres Diez stops by The Zag to talk about political life in South Texas and what a railroad commissioner does. Don't miss it.