Everything's Political

What does it mean to claim a genre — not cross over into it, but claim it? In this episode, host Junius Williams sits down with Dr. Salamishah Tillet, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and distinguished professor at Rutgers University, to unpack the cultural and political shockwaves of Beyoncé's country music era. From the erasure of Black cowboys and artists like Charley Pride and DeFord Bailey, to t...

In this episode of Everything’s Political, Junius Williams speaks with Rutha Mae Harris, an original member of the SNCC Freedom Singers, speaks about the political power of music during the Civil Rights Movement, freedom songs, Albany Movement, and protest music are at the heart of this episode of Everything’s Political. Rutha Mae shares how freedom songs were born from gospel, spirituals, and eve...

Celebrate Black History Month with a powerful fireside conversation on the Everything’s Political Podcast. Host Junius Williams sits down with world-renowned jazz artists and educators Jason Moran (pianist, MacArthur Fellow) and Stefon Harris (vibraphonist, Grammy-nominated artist) at Express Newark, part of Rutgers University–Newark, in Newark, NJ. This episode highlights the cultural legacy of B...

Talking with Christine Croasdaile about the power of music, the artists duty in society and politics!

In this episode of Everything’s Political with Junius Williams, we’re joined by Ngoma Hill, musician, poet, and cultural storyteller whose Richmond roots and decades of community work deeply inform his art. Ngoma brings sharp insight and lived experience to a conversation about the political force of Black music, how it shapes identity, fuels resilience, and drives social change. Alongside musicia...

In the Season 6 premiere of Everything’s Political, Junius Williams, musician, activist, and community leader, takes the mic to explore the power of Black music. Speaking from his own experiences, Junius reflects on how music has shaped identity, inspired hope, and fueled movements for change. He also challenges schools to recognize music as more than an elective, but as a vital tool for learning,...

In this candid commentary, host Junius Williams breaks down Newark’s historic first “Vote 16” school board election, where just 71 of 1,842 registered teens cast ballots. Williams unpacks the lessons behind that less-than-4-percent turnout: from late starts and institutional overreliance to the missing ground game and the gap between social media energy and actual turnout. Beneath the frustration...

In this episode of Everything’s Political, host Junius Williams talks with veteran activist and Newark NAACP President Deborah Smith Gregory about what it really means to share power with young people. As Newark sees 16 and 17-year-olds voting in local school board elections for the first time, Deborah reflects on how a new generation is reshaping civic space, not just by showing up, but by taking...

In this episode of Everything's Political, host Junius Williams sits down with Nathan Deguid, founder and president of the Young Voters Association, to discuss Newark's groundbreaking "Vote 16" initiative. Nathan shares insights into empowering younger generations through civic engagement, highlighting the necessity of grassroots organizing and stating, "Pure and prolific unity will come against a...

In this inspiring conversation with host Junius Williams, Governor Murphy underscores the transformative power of youth in shaping our democracy, declaring, "When young people lead, our democracy is reborn." He highlights how emerging leaders in Newark are propelling the Vote16 movement, and details his active role—from championing the initiative in his State of the State address to advocating for...

In this installment of our Vote 16 series, host Junius Williams talks with Jennifer Made, Director of Youth Programs at the Abbott Leadership Institute, about how Newark’s 16- and 17-year-olds are preparing to vote in school board elections for the first time. Jennifer shares how Youth Media Symposium (YMS) is mobilizing students with a voter education toolkit, advocacy training, and other resourc...

Young people are directly affected by school board policies more than ever now and feel passionately about them – but they have no power to elect people to represent their interests. They are excluded from participating in the democratic process for no valid reason. With the introduction of Vote, 16, 16, and 17-year-olds in Newark, NJ, can now register to vote for the April 2025 Newark school boar...

What if we told you that Newark's teenagers are poised to change history? This season, we’ll explore the impact of 16 and 17-year-olds voting in the upcoming Newark school board elections—an unprecedented move that could reshape the political landscape not just for Newark, but for cities nationwide. We’ll dive into the journey of youth groups like the Youth Media Symposium, who are passionately ad...

Is the environment at a tipping point? What are the real-world implications for communities affected by pollution? This critical episode of Everything's Political explores the ongoing struggle for environmental justice. Featuring the powerful voices of Chloe Desir from the Ironbound Community Corporation and Fajr Kegler from the South Ward Environmental Alliance, this episode exposes the deep inte...

How can AI enhance educational outcomes without compromising the need for deep, critical thinking? In a world leaning heavily on technological convenience, how do we preserve genuine creativity and understanding? In Season 4, Episode 5 of Everything's Political, we explore the complex landscape of artificial intelligence and technology. Join us for a dynamic discussion with students from Technolog...

Is diversity in jeopardy? What does the future hold for equity in education? This episode of Everything's Political dives deep into the complexities of affirmative action, its impact on admissions, and the real-life stories of students facing the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling. Listen in as two insightful high school students applying for college discuss the fallout of the decision and h...

What does school desegregation mean to Gen Z? Join Junius and Francesca in episode three as they sit down with two high school juniors to discuss the complexities of school desegregation. Through lived experiences, historical context and thoughtful analysis, our young guests challenge conventional notions of desegregation, advocating beyond physical integration but for equal opportunities and reso...

This week, Junius and Francesca sit down with two extraordinary young women to talk about the U.S. immigration system, DACA, and the impact a single piece of paper can have on our rights, our opportunities, and our very sense of self. Join us as we explore the complex — and very personal — nature of the immigrant experience from the perspective of Gen Z. Stream the full episode on YouTube, or list...

In episode one, Junius and Francesca sit down with students from one of Newark's highest ranked high schools to talk about standing on business — including how Gen Z balances parent expectations with exploring big authentic dreams. They answer the question: do college and success really go hand-in-hand? Together, we’re exploring the relevance of college to your path, the power of networking, and d...

Are you an avid listener of Everything's Political? In this special episode, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes from the past and answering your burning questions. Francesca and Junius will be going over all the best questions, such as: How do you know when it's time to drop everything and fight? Is there anything that students can do right now to change our lives? Why'd you decide to...

The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), was one of the most effective protest and community-building organizations in the Civil Rights Movement and a vanguard of Black Power. They committed themselves to full-time organizing from the bottom up, and this approach empowered existing efforts and facilitated the emergence of powerful new grassroots voices. In this episode, we chat with...

What does a future look like where families no longer need to worry about having enough money to make ends meet? In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka is leading the way with his pilot program that provides guaranteed income to residents in Newark. Guaranteed income has been a subject of debate for some time now, but it is becoming increasingly clear that it can save lives. By providing a basic income to in...

When we think of Puerto Rico, we think of beautiful beaches and vacation getaways but people live there and often with extremely unreliable, expensive energy infrastructure. In Episode 4, we're chatting about one community organization's response to Puerto Rico's fossil fuel dependency by deploying solar power. Listen in as our guest speaker walks us through how communities can leverage commu...

Cryptocurrency: Is it play money or is it the real thing? And what are the politics that surround it? In Episode 3: The New Money, Junius and Francesca are sitting down with guests Lisa V. Arrington (Ecovert Wallet) and Anthony Avent (Make Me a Prodigy) to discuss the rise of cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and the recent collapse of FTX.

What can we do with a little money to make a big difference in the community — particularly with regards to food? In Episode 2, "Food for Thought," Junius and Francesca sit down with Tobias Fox , Founder & Managing Director of Newark Science and Sustainability, Inc., and Pamela Gonzalez , a Puerto Rico-based attorney, board-certified massage therapist and community activist to discuss food sov...