Beyond the Hyphen: Reform Across Politics and Diplomacy

Host Mark Li sits down with Stanford Thompson, Executive Director of Equity Arc and founder of Play On Philly, for a conversation on music, leadership, and the power of belonging. From his early years as a trumpet student at the Curtis Institute of Music to studying Venezuela's El Sistema movement and building two nationally recognized organizations, Thompson reflects on the experiences that s...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland State Delegate Jared Solomon to explore the institutions, public systems, and civic spaces that shape everyday life in America. Before entering elected office, Delegate Solomon worked as a social studies teacher, federal policy advisor, and education advocate, experiences that continue to shape his approach to public servic...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland State Delegate Gabriel Moreno to explore immigration, identity, public service, and the future of civic leadership in America’s diverse communities. Born and raised in El Paso to immigrant parents from Mexico, Delegate Moreno reflects on his journey through education, immigration advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and law befo...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Georgette Bhathena, Chief Programs Officer at The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), to explore how one of the nation’s leading AAPI organizations is building long-term change through media, culture, research, philanthropy, and civic advocacy. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of Asian American identity, the fight for bel...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with Sarah Elfreth, who represents Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. From her early start in student government and higher education leadership to becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland State Senate and now serving in Congress, Congresswoman Elfreth’s path reflects a grounded,...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with Kweisi Mfume, who represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. From leaving high school at 16 to support his family in Baltimore, to serving in Congress, leading the NAACP, and returning to public office decades later, Congressman Mfume’s journey reflects a life shaped by responsibility, resilience, and long-term commitment to...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , Host Mark Li sits down with Marc Korman, who represents District 16 in Montgomery County and currently serves as Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee in the Maryland House of Delegates. They talk about how decisions are actually made in Maryland inside the systems that shape transportation, infrastructure, and environmental policy. Delegate K...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with Chair of the Maryland Senate Finance Committee Pamela Beidle, who represents District 32. From her beginnings in local government to her work shaping policy at the state level, Senator Beidle offers a grounded perspective on how leadership evolves, and how decisions made in Annapolis impact everyday life. We explore the role of sta...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with Oliver Ma, a civil rights attorney and leading candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California, to examine what leadership looks like in a moment defined by division, inequality, and generational change. Drawing from his work representing tenants and immigrant communities, Oliver reflects on the limits of individual advocacy and th...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with Maryland State Senator Cory McCray, who represents the 45th Legislative District in northeast Baltimore City. Senator McCray shares the personal story that shaped his path to public service, reflecting on his early life in Baltimore, his time at the Cheltenham Detention Center as a teenager, and the apprenticeship opportunity that...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with William He, the founder of Dream for America, a national youth-led organization mobilizing young people to participate meaningfully in democracy. William reflects on building an institution from the ground up at 16, navigating youth leadership, scaling civic engagement without losing long-term vision, and what it takes to turn poli...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li speaks with Dr. Kevin Chin, an emergency room physician and Democratic candidate for the Howard County Council representing District 1. Drawing on his experience working at the front lines of public health, Dr. Chin discusses what motivated his transition from medicine into local government and how clinical decision-making has shaped his approach...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , host Mark Li sits down with Dan Schwartz, a consumer protection advocate and Democratic candidate for Congress in Maryland’s First District. The conversation examines affordability, healthcare, and consumer protection through the lens of how Congress actually functions in practice. Schwartz discusses his background in regulatory enforcement, the gap between l...

In this episode, Texas State Representative Gene Wu joins Beyond the Hyphen with host Mark Li to talk about the changing face of Texas politics, the role of community, and what it means to lead with both conviction and care. From demographic shifts to the quiet courage of everyday civic life, this conversation explores how the future of democracy is being written in a tumultuous political time per...

Host Mark Li sits down with Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, for a conversation on how data can drive justice. Together, they trace the journey from community pain to national policy impact — how a simple reporting form became a movement that changed how America talks about race and accountability. Named to the TIME100 and Bloomber...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Dr. Calvin Ball, County Executive of Howard County, Maryland. From his early motivations to his ongoing work in education, equity, and community engagement, Dr. Ball shares insights on what it means to lead with purpose at the local level. We dive into his leadership philosophy, how he connects with a diverse constituency, the role...

In this episode, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee to explore the power of public service, representation, and being a changemaker from within. As the first Asian American elected to the Maryland Senate and now the first AAPI Secretary of State in Maryland’s history, Secretary Lee reflects on what it means to lead, to be the first, and to carry community with you...

Host Mark Li sits down with Haipei Shue, President of United Chinese Americans (UCA), for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, advocacy, and the fight for justice in an era of rising anti-China sentiment. Together, they explore what it means to grow up Chinese American amid political tension, how government scrutiny has impacted scientists and students alike, and why youth leadership is essent...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with freshly retired U.S. Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland's 3rd Congressional District to explore his two decades of public service, civic engagement, and legislative leadership. From championing government reform to empowering young voices, Congressman Sarbanes reflects on his journey, the evolving role of youth in democracy, a...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. Together, they dive into what it takes to lead a national civil rights organization, the legal battles behind the headlines, and how Asian Americans are mobilizing for justice in a polarized America. From rising anti-Asian hate to immigrant r...

In this special episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Dr. DiFato, a dedicated high school principal whose work reflects the quiet power of local leadership in public education. Together, they explore what it means to build community in schools, support students beyond academics, and stay grounded in the values that make education a force for good. From the daily challenges of s...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with international affairs expert Sourabh Gupta, Resident Senior Fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies, to explore the evolving dynamics of the U.S.–China relationship. Their conversation covers everything from the current diplomatic posture between Washington and Beijing, to the role of international law and trade systems, t...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen , Maryland education advocate and civic leader Jessica Nichols joins Host Mark Li for a conversation on inclusive leadership, equity in education, and what it takes to build sustainable grassroots action. From her work as an educator, elected official, and non-profit leader, Ms. Nichols shares how investing in young people and local communities can transform sy...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, Maryland House Delegate Natalie Ziegler joins Host Mark Li for a grounded conversation about what it means to serve—both on the farm and in the Maryland State House. From her late entry into public office to her dual identity as a small business owner and environmental advocate, Ziegler reflects on how personal experience can powerfully shape policy. They dive...

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland State Delegate Joe Vogel to explore how identity, advocacy, and the next generation are shaping American politics. From his early activism and work with national campaigns to becoming one of the first openly gay and Latino Gen Z legislators elected to the Maryland General Assembly, Delegate Vogel shares insights on grassroo...