Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips

The Billion-Dollar Funding War on Democracy with NCRP’s Aaron Dorfman

President and CEO of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy Aaron Dorfman breaks down how right-wing donors and foundations spent money to curtail voting rights and reshape the broader political landscape.
He explains the often unseen role philanthropy plays in politics and the retreat from racial justice funding after the murder of George Floyd. He also shares why long-term investment in organizing and movement-building matters, and why he believes there is still an opportunity to build stronger, more aligned infrastructure for democracy, particularly in the South. 
REFERENCES:
Aaron Dorfman - ncrp.org

CNN’s Abby Phillip on How Jesse Jackson Transformed American Politics

CNN NewsNight anchor Abby Phillip delves into the legacy of Revered Jesse Jackson and her new book, A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. 
She discusses Jackson’s groundbreaking 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns and what they mean for the fight we're in today.
She also traces Jesse’s role in shaping modern progressivism and his influence on figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders, his complex relationship with President Barack Obama, and the continued relevance of Rev. Jackson’s political strategies in today’s landscape.
She discusses the multiracial coalition he assembled and what Democrats can learn about reconnecting with working-class Americans and adapting to the changing political climate.
REFERENCES:
Abby Phillip - @abbydphillip
A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power

Part 2 - The History and Science of Inequality

In conjunction with the release of Steve Phillip's new book, Are White Men Smarter Than Everybody Else?: Playing Offense in the Fight for Racial Justice in America, Democracy in Color presents a three-part podcast series exploring one crucial question.
White men are 29% of the U.S. population, but dominate positions of power across nearly every sector. 
In Part 2 of this special series, Steve and Sharline turn to historical and scientific research to explore the existing justifications of inequality. They trace a throughline from slavery and Reconstruction to elite universities and modern-day DEI backlash. They also unpack how systems of power were deliberately engineered to defend “natural inequality” and how definitions of “merit” were rewritten to protect them.
Then, UC Berkeley law professor john a. powell explains how unconscious bias influences our everyday decisions and how small, invisible assumptions add up to massive disparities that eventually start to feel normal, and even inevitable.
REFERENCES:
Are White Men Smarter Than Everybody Else?: Playing Offense in the Fight for Racial Justice in America by Steve Phillips - available now!
john a. powell - About
Jennifer Eberhardt - About
Jerome Karabel - The Chosen
Isabel Wilkerson - Caste
 

Part 1 - The Myth of Meritocracy

In conjunction with the release of Steve Phillip's new book, Are White Men Smarter Than Everybody Else?: Playing Offense in the Fight for Racial Justice in America, Democracy in Color presents a three-part podcast series exploring one crucial question.
In Part 1 of this special podcast series, three young people share their thoughts on the overrepresentation of white men in positions of power and influence. We ask them: is this reality the result of meritocracy or something else?
As part of this first episode, we also delve further into issues of diversity and equity in America,  from centuries of exclusion and systemic barriers to the lived realities of navigating power as young people today, the students discuss the myriad reasons inequality persists despite claims from leaders across sectors of society that America is a meritocracy. 
REFERENCES:
Are White Men Smarter Than Everybody Else?: Playing Offense in the Fight for Racial Justice in America by Steve Phillips - available now

A Battle for the Future of Higher Education at New College of Florida

Three key voices behind the new documentary First They Came for My College join Steve to share how community, art, and activism became tools to fight back against censorship and ideological warfare at the New College of Florida.
Harry Hanbury, a seasoned filmmaker and alumnus of New College, shares behind-the-scenes insights to documenting the fight to save a campus under siege. Amy Reid, a former professor and board member, recounts the courage it took to stand up and resist the systematic erasure of LGBTQ+ and Black studies programs. And Gaby Batista, a former student journalist on campus, offers a frontline view of how students survived the fascist takeover while using arts and culture to preserve their community’s spirit.
REFERENCES:
First They Came for My College - Website
Harry Hanbury, New College Alum, Producer, Camera Operator - /harryhanbury
Amy Reid, Program Director, Freedom to Learn at PEN America - About
Gaby Batista, Protagonist, Cameraperson - About

Stacey Abrams on Defeating Authoritarianism

Our guest needs no introduction. Stacey Abrams returns to the show to unveil her latest initiatives and share insights on building systems of justice and advancing equity.
She reflects on what this moment demands and shares her “10 Steps to Freedom and Power” framework. She explains how authoritarian tactics are evolving, how we must adapt in response, and why DEI has become such a central battlefield in the broader struggle over democracy and corporate accountability.
She also discusses the hard but necessary work of engaging non-voters and underserved communities, the lessons emerging from recent campaigns, and how progressives can counter fear and resentment without abandoning their values. 
Stacey also shares the first thing she would change if she could redesign the Democratic playbook.
REFERENCES:
Stacey Abrams - Website // @staceyabrams
10 Steps Campaign - Sign Up Here
 

40 Years of the Rainbow Coalition (Rerelease)

This is a rerelease of an episode from 2023 with a new intro from our founder, Steve Phillips.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, Eddie Wong, former national field director for Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign, joins Steve and Sharline to reminisce on the alliance that transcended boundaries of race, gender, and socio-economic status to create a powerful force for change.
Steve, Sharline, and Eddie delve into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that marked the coalition's journey, as well as its influence on shaping today's movements for social justice and equity.
Original coalition members also share personal anecdotes, insights, and reflections on how the Rainbow Coalition ignited a transformative movement that redefined the landscape of social and political activism, and the impact of Reverend Jackson’s visionary leadership in their own lives.
REFERENCES:
Eddie Wong
Jesse Jackson 1984 Democratic National Convention Speech
Rainbow Coalition Recordings:Dr. Amanda KempPierre BaroletteTheresa MontañoEllen Spears

New York Times’ Erica Green on Covering the Trump White House

New York Times White House Correspondent Erica Green shares candid and necessary insights into the increasingly explicit racial dynamics shaping American politics. 
She discusses the Times interview that forced Trump to publicly articulate his views on who faces discrimination in America and the blatantly racist video he shared on social media—and then deleted—of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. She also stresses the urgent need for media integrity and truth-telling in a moment ripe with distortion and disinformation.
Erica reflects on her reporting journey and the themes in her book Miracle Children, which explores how systemic inequality shapes opportunity long before politics enters the picture.
REFERENCES:
Erica L. Green - New York Times
Miracle Children by Katie Benner and Erica L. Green - MacMillion Publishers

Indivisible’s Leah Greenberg on Turning Outrage Into Organized Power

Indivisible’s Leah Greenberg joins Steve and Sharline to discuss what we can learn from history about confronting rising authoritarianism and defending democracy today.
The organization’s co-founder and co-executive director, Leah shares how Indivisible (and the country) have evolved since 2016 and the role of big-tent coalitions in building effective resistance movements.
Leah also offers advice for new organizers entering the movement and stresses how pressure at the local levels can result in significant national outcomes.
REFERENCES:
Leah Greenberg - @Leahgreenb
Indivisible // Find a Local Group

From 2024 to 2026: What Comes Next, with CNN’s Ron Brownstein

In our first episode of the year, veteran journalist Ron Brownstein returns to offer a cogent analysis about the larger ongoing, existential battle over the identity of this nation and the fears and anxieties animating the Trump coalition. 
Ron, Steve and Sharline discuss voter behavior in the 2024 election cycle, from racial and gender dynamics in the presidential contest to the economic conditions that impacted turnout for both Democrats and Republicans. 
Ron explains what led to Democrats’ resurgence in 2025 and he breaks down why Trump’s approval rating will be a key factor in how the party performs this fall, particularly in key Senate races. 
REFERENCES:
Ronald Brownstein - @RonBrownstein
CNN Portfolio