The Called Activist

This month on the podcast, we celebrate the ways art, story, and community shape our collective life together. In honor of Pride Month, Festival Center Executive Director Bill Mefford shares reflections on his own journey toward becoming an ally and the relationships that deepened his commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and justice. We also sit down with artist and curator AnaYelsi Velasco Sanchez to d...

This episode highlights the growing issue of food insecurity through a conversation about the newly launched nonprofit Every Neighbor United for Food (ENUF), founded by Anthony Panzera. The discussion explores how ENUF is working to address gaps in access to reliable, nutritious food by building stronger, more connected community-based solutions. Anthony shares the vision behind the organization,...

On this episode of The Called Activist, Festival Center executive director Bill Mefford interviews Kathryn Doan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. Bill speaks with Kathryn about the Amica Center's various programs and services for immigrants, how the immigration system has become more complex, and much more.  For updates on this podcast and ongoing projects...

On this episode of The Called Activist, Festival Center executive director Bill Mefford interviews Eduarda Serafim, an active leader in the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America and the solidarity organizer at DC Jobs With Justice. Bill speaks with Eduarda about her political awakening, the stigmatization of socialism, the future of socialist politics, and much more.  You can follow Eduarda @e...

On this episode of The Called Activist, Festival Center executive director Bill Mefford interviews Alana Eichner, the co-director of the DMV Chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). Bill speaks with Alana about NDWA's goals, how the organization is responding to harmful immigration policies set by the Trump administration, and much more.  You can follow National Domestic Work...

On this episode of The Called Activist, Festival Center executive director Bill Mefford interviews Caroline Pryor, an advocate and organizer who serves as the lead organizer at EmpowerEd and co-chair of the Fair Budget Coalition's Education Issue Group and the Defend DC Education coalition. Bill speaks with Caroline about her passion for education, her upbringing, the current state of educati...

On the first episode of The Called Activist, Festival Center executive director Bill Mefford interviews AnaYelsi R. Velasco Sanchez, an IndoLatinx mujerista, artist, and public educator. AnaYelsi founded both the Interlocking Justice Institute and En Conjunto—a collective providing support, community, resources, and collaborative opportunities to People of Color working independently at the inters...