Keeping Relevant With Ronnie Eldridge

Les Leopold, author of "Runaway Inequality: An Activist's Guide to Economic Justice," presents an intriguing analysis of the 2016 Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns and interesting suggestions for future action.

Liz Accles, Community Food Advocates' executive director, describes the School Lunch Campaign - to provide school age children with a nutritious lunch - free - one of many programs supported by the organization.

The New York Immigration Coalition unites almost 200 organizations, working to assist and protect immigrants. Thanu Yakupitiyage reviews obstacles-language barriers, inadequate legal representation, and anxiety and fear generated by the 2016 election.

Vincent Montalbano describes the 2016 election as the "culmination of 50 years of neglect by two institutions that should be caring about and intimately involved with the working class: the Democratic party and labor unions." So, what's to be done?

Nancy Azara, sculptor, author, feminist activist believing that we all have art inside ourselves, discusses her work and creative process. Co-founder of the NY Feminist Art Institute (1979), Azara talks about opportunities for women artist then and now.

In Part 2 of his conversation with Ronnie Eldridge, author Larry Tye remarks that he wrote "Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon" as a "matter of history," discussing the battles over civil rights, Viet Nam, the assassination of Martin Luther King.

Part 1/2 part conversation, Larry Tye, "Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon," describes times, events, people: Sen. J. McCarthy, Marian Wright Edelman, Pres. John F. Kennedy, and more, contributing to make RFK the dynamic idealist, loved by many.

Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of "The Nation." comments on some of the issues, rhetoric and individuals swirling around in anticipation of the Presidential Election - November 8, 2016.

The Women's City Club of New York, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is a "nonprofit, non-partisan... organization dedicated to improving the lives of all New Yorkers." Exec. director Jacqueline Ebanks talks about WCCNY's member-led programs.

Former Congressman Barney Frank, talks about his personal struggle: fearing his homosexuality would be revealed while continuing to work for gay rights. He is the author of "Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage."

Bob Herbert, journalist, columnist, host of Bob Herbert's Op-Ed. TV says "we're going backwards..." in politics, the economy, the media, sighting the power of money, student debt, employers lack of obligation for their employees, highlighting Regan years.

Former Washington Post managing editor, Robert Kaiser discusses Pres. Reagan's declaration that "government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem," to big money, to the triumph of lobbying, to the 2016 presidential election

CUNY School of Law professor, director of the Criminal Defense Clinic, Steven Zeidman asks "why are we the world's largest jailers?" with aged inmates and a system based on punishment and vengeance. Zeidman applauds Gov. Cuomo's clemency initiative.

Bob Herbert, journalist, columnist, host of Bob Herbert's Op-Ed. TV says "we're going backwards..." in politics, the economy, the media, sighting the power of money, student debt, employers lack of obligation for their employees, highlighting Regan years.

Bella Abzug predicted events of the 21st century "...the women's century and young people are to be its leaders." Liz Abzug, founder and executive director of the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, discusses women in leadership roles.

Dorothy Samuels, Brennan Center for Justice Senior Fellow, analyzes the Supreme Court's decision, affirming women's constitutional right to abortion access. Discussion included voting rights, campaign finance and more.

Lauren-Brooke Eisen, at the Brennan Center's Justice Program, indicates that the phrase "mass incarceration" is being heard today more than ever before, becoming a bi-partisan issue, bringing together Democrats, Republicans and "even some Libertarians."

In part 2 of their 2 part program, Doug Muzzio, Baruch College and "CityTalk" host and Ronnie Eldridge continue their conversation, discussing Governor Cuomo, the state legislature, Mayor de Blasio, the city government...and the greatness of Muhammad Ali.

Doug Muzzio, Baruch College and "CityTalk" host, and Ronnie Eldridge discuss candidates, political parties, the nominating process, the discontent of the electorate and distrust of the elected in this 2016 "most critical election."

In "Dear Princess Grace, Dear Betty: The Memoir of a Romantic Feminist," Alida Brill writes candidly about her parents' strength, her chronic illness, relationships, marriage, and with great affection, about her friendship and respect for Betty Friedan.

Starting with the "deal" made in 1787 giving States control over the voting process, on to acrimonious conventions of the 1800's, to the advent of primaries and caucuses, to our "crazy quilt" of states' rules and regulations: is this the best we can do?

Peter Yarrow, honored singer, songwriter, activist and advocate discusses the educational non-profit "Operation Respect," the song "Don't Laugh at Me," the inspiration for his vision and the campaign to end bullying.

Award winning author and Hunter College distinguished professor in English, Elizabeth Nunez discuses her new novel, "Even in Paradise," a retelling of Shakespeare's "King Lear" with additional components of race, class and privilege in the Caribbean.

Artist, cultural observer, feminist, award winning author and poet, Naomi Chase, tells the tale of "the only women in history to rule Rome" in her novel in verse, "The Journals of Empress Galla Placidia from Her Faithful Servant Lepida."

Dorothy Samuels, currently a Senior Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU, calls herself "fortunate" to have been a member of the NY Times editorial board, where she served for more than 30 years, noting the wide array of issues under review.