Friday Power Lunch
2022 Season
December 12, 2022
The December 16, 2022, Friday Power lunch was a conversation on the big legislative battles ahead in Virginia in 2023, especially concerning reproductive rights. We also discussed the upcoming special elections. The end of Roe is having serious repercussions in Virginia. Governor Glenn Youngkin is shopping a 15 week ban on abortion. Even more horrifying, Delegate Marie March (R) recently pre-filed House Bill 1395, which would define life as beginning at fertilization, thereby banning abortion and potentially even jeopardizing access to emergency contraception. TARINA KEENE (Executive Director, REPRO Rising Virginia) and LEXI WHITE (Policy Director, REPRO Rising Virginia) led a discussion on the proposed Constitutional Amendment to protect and secure abortion rights in Virginia. The patrons of the bill–SENATOR JENNIFER MCCLELLAN (SD9 and newly announced candidate for Congress in CD4) and DELEGATE CHARNIELE HERRING (HD46)–helped us understand why any and all bans are harmful to women and what we must do to protect women’s health. SENATOR JENNIFER MCCLELLAN is running in the special election for CD4 with only one week to prepare for the primary. We talked about how we can help get out the vote for this one week sprint to the firehouse primary. HOLLY SEIBOLD is running in the January 10 special election for HD 35 told us about her campaign and how we can help. GENE ROSSI (former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia and popular legal commentator and trial analyst) joined us for his special brand of “All Things Legal” to give us an update on Donald Trumps mounting legal troubles.
December 9, 2022
If the 2020 midterm election taught us anything, it is that words and deeds matter. On the December 9, 2022, Friday Power Lunch we spoke with two people who know a thing or two about this topic. DAVID PEPPER, author of the must read “Laboratories of Autocracy”, and former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, spoke with us about 1) the results of the Midterm elections and what it means, 2) The ramifications of Moore v Harper (independent state legislation theory) whose opening brief was presented yesterday before the Supreme Court, and 3) what lessons we can learn from the midterms to help Virginia in 2023. Messaging expert, communication strategist and writer, ANTONIA SCATTON, talked about how we need to stop waiting for some mythical messaging guru to drop down from above and realize that we are the messengers. She shared how we can be the anecdote for all the GOP’s negative messaging by presenting a positive perspective. She also explained how we reframe important issues facing our communities so we can have positive and productive conversations. What’s the key? Start from a point of empathy. This is one powerful messaging strategy worth listening to!
December 2, 2022
The December 2, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was all about self-care. We had writers, poets and stylists to help us help ourselves. We talked about the need to be self-aware. We explored the power of self-affirmation and positive thinking. And we even luxuriated in some well-deserved self-indulgence. Alexandria’s first Black poet laureate and Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association’s inaugural poet in residence KANIKKI JAKARTA started us sharing how we can turn self-care into a personal art form. Writer, poet, and publisher LAURA DI FRANCO (owner of Brave Healer Productions) inspired us to work from our inner core. Hint: her motto is “Your words will change the world when you’re brave enough to share them!“ Rounding out this dynamic segment, poet and self-branding coach ASHA WATSON, who KaNikki calls the affirmation queen, helped us claim our place – our brand – in today’s world. As for the guilty pleasures, Romance novelist TRACEY LIVESAY will share with us why smart women love writing and reading romance novels. Did you know Stacey Abrams has written 8 romance novels under the pen name Selena Montgomery Tracey will tell us about her latest book “American Royalty,” listed as one of the 10 best romance novels of the year by the Washington Post. Finally, when you look good, you feel better. Stylist and host of the TV show “Yo on the Go At The Style Table” YOLANDA TAYLOR spoke about the personal power of finding your style.
November 18, 2022
The November 18, 2022 Friday Power Lunch featured some turkey talk about this election season with two “out of the box” thinkers and a candidate running for Senate in the upcoming January special election in Virginia Beach. AARON ROUSE (candidate for Senate in SD7, the seat vacated by Jen Kiggan who beat Elaine Luria) joined us to talk about this race and how Democrats can win this special election! RANDY PHERSON (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Pherson) came on the show back in February and shared with us his thoughts on what might drive the election outcome from voting rights to the overturning of Roe v Wade. He came back to discuss how these drivers played out and the possibilities ahead. RACHEL BITECOFER (Political branding strategist, election forecaster, and writer/podcaster with The Cycle) was one of the few people who forecasted Democratic strength. Rachel shared what she saw throughout the campaign and what we need to know in order to win in 2023. As she puts it: “Defying expectations and killing the GOP’s midterm effect in 2022 gives us a honest chance to save democracy in 2024. It is the beginning of the fight, not the end.”
November 11, 2022
The November 11, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was an election RECAP from the perspective of grassroots activists. TOM BONIER, Executive Director of TargetSmart, shared how looking at the real early voting data rather than the bogus Republican polls helped him have a fact driven perspective of how the election was shaping up. KÉREN CHARLES DONGO, State Director, Office of United States Senator Tim Kaine, discussed what she saw in the field as she traveled with the Senator across Virginia this election. We had a Grassroots Roundtable to discuss the results of the midterms and lessons to apply as we move into the 2023 Virginia statewide election: JIM ROGERS, GOTV Director for the Wexton Campaign, LYNLEE THORNE, Political Director for Rural GroundGame, and LUISA BOYARSKI, Coordinator of the Virginia Grassroots Coalition.
November 4, 2022
The November 4, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was an ALL IN to WIN Rally where we got LOUD to Get Out the Vote for our Democratic candidates. We heard from Representatives DON BEYER (CD 8), GERRY CONNOLLY (CD 11), ABIGAIL SPANBERGER (CD 7) and JENNIFER WEXTON (CD 10) about their campaigns and what they’re doing these final days before the election to turn out the vote. We got revved up with candidates TAYSHA DEVAUGHN (CD 9), CATHERINE READ (Mayor, Fairfax City), and JOSH THORNEBURG (CD 5).
October 28, 2022
The October 28, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was our Halloween Special where we focused on the spooky stories at play this election with Governor Youngkin and the Republican legislators undermining our progress in Virginia. LISA VARGA (Executive Director, Virginia Library Association) explained the sinister effect of book bans on schools. IVY MAIN (Energy consultant, lawyer, writer, and Virginia Sierra Club Renewable Energy Chair) addressed Governor Youngkin’s ghoulish Virginia Energy Plan and his wicked moves to overturn the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). DELEGATE SAM RASOUL (HD 11) discussed the trickery we are already seeing from Republicans during this election season and can expect to see during the legislative session and how we can channel our fears and concerns into positive action.
October 21, 2022
The October 21, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was a discussion about the ongoing plot to demonize powerful women and how feminists can fight back! We started the show with a candidate spotlight on ZACH COLTRAIN who is the youngest person to run for the House of Delegates in Virginia. Zach spoke about what motivated him to run for office in HD 98 (Virginia Beach), the top issues for Generation Z, and how his campaigning in 2022 is helping get out the vote for Congresswoman Elaine Luria. ELEANOR HERMAN, NYTimes bestselling author, spoke about her new book “OFF WITH HER HEAD: Three Thousand Years of Demonizing Women in Power” that explores the history of misogyny against women with power from Cleopatra to Kamala Harris identifying what she calls the misogynist’s handbook. DR. DEBRA RODMAN, former Delegate and Associate Professor of Anthropology and Women’s Studies at Randolph-Macon College, shared how the misogynist’s handbook has been and continues to be used against women elected officials in Virginia. LATEISHA GARRETT, Chair of Virginia’s List (a Political Action Committee with a mission to elect progressive women to the Virginia General Assembly and statewide elected offices) spoke about the challenges and opportunities of running for statewide office.
October 14, 2022
The October 14, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was a discussion of how we Roe Up and #PINKtheVOTE from now until the election. ASHLEY ALL, former Communications Director for Kansas for Constitutional Freedom, will share with us how they organized in a red state to make women’s reproductive rights an issue everyone could get behind. DEEPAK PURI, Co-Founder of Democracy Labs, a hub for ongoing technology and creative innovation that serves campaigns and organizations at the national, state, and local levels. Deepak will share his thoughts and case studies on tools activists can use to identify and engage voters. VIDEOS SHOWED IN THIS EPISODE: We were thrilled to open this week’s Friday Power Lunch with the new music video “We’re On Fire for CHOICE” by I Will Productions. We want to thank Lynn Revo-Cohen (songwriter and owner of I Will Productgions) for sharing her inspiring video with us.
October 7, 2022
The October 7, 2022 Friday Power Lunch focused on the long history of women’s perseverance in bringing about social change. DELEGATE CANDI MUNDON KING set the stage for our conversation on perseverance by discussing what it means for women’s activism and organizing in Virginia. Author and historian DR. ELISABETH GRIFFITH shared stories from her book, Formidable: American Women and the Fight for Equality: 1920-2020, a multicultural examination of the struggle for women’s rights. KRISTINA HAGEN (State Director, Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy Virginia) spoke about what is currently happening in Virginia on economic equity policy issues and what each of us can do.
September 30, 2022
On the September 30, 2022, Friday Power Lunch, we had a robust discussion about getting people of color to the polls and the distinct difference that makes in election outcomes, the effect of voter suppression, and ways to recruit and train people of color to win elective offices at all levels in Virginia. STEVE PHILLIPS–National Political Expert, bestselling author of Brown Is the New White and the soon to be released How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good, founder of the political media company Democracy in Color that is dedicated to race and politics, and host of the podcast “Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips”. Steve explained his New Majority Index that uses two key data points missing from most political analysis—racial diversity and voter turnout rates of racial groups—to show how the political landscape of the Midterms changes when one views the voting universe through a race conscious lens. JAY JONES (former Delegate and Founder of Meet Our Moment) shared how his organization recruits and trains minority Democratic candidates to run for and win state and local offices across the Commonwealth.
September 23, 2022
On September 19, 2022, poet Amanda Gorman delivered a poem to the UN General Assembly which dared everyone present to do good so the world might be great. The September 23, 2022, Friday Power Lunch accepted Amanda’s challenge with conversations with women who have dared to step up, speak out, and protect Democracy. FAIZA PATEL (Senior Director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program) shared her extensive research documenting the surveillance of social media and how that impacts our civil rights and civil liberties. SABRINA SHULMAN (Chief Political Officer, VoteRunLead) spoke about Vote Run Lead’s training and support of women candidates.
Video of Amanda Gorman reciting “An Ode we Owe” to the UN General Assemble on 9-19-2022 https://youtu.be/QR4vXQiI76M
Full text of poem (at bottom) – https://apnews.com/article/amanda-gorman-un-general-assembly-d8e73e40a1f1a21d9ea4c82ae04e429f
September 16, 2022
With all eyes on Hampton Roads this election, the September 16, 2022 Friday Power Lunch looked at what is happening in this crucial region of the state: Three badass activists from the Hampton Roads area–SUSAN POTTER, SUSAN KAUFMAN, and HEIDI DRAGNEFF-– shared the grassroots perspective on the candidates, the issues, and what they are hearing from the voters. Virginia Beach Democratic Committee members MAURICE HAWKINS (VP Precincts and Election), MICHAEL FEGGANS (Vice Chair Operations and Candidate HD 97), and SUSAN HIPPEN (Secretary and Candidate, HD 96) spoke about what local Democratic committees are doing to excite supporters and energize voters. SUSAN LOESBERG (MOMs Demand Action) shared how MOMs volunteers are educating candidates and voters on gun violence prevention. DEL. KELLY CONVIRS-FOWLER (HD 21) talked about the attack on the LGBTQ community. Veteran HEIDI DRAGNEFF shared how the gutting of Roe v Wade is impacting current and former military families.
September 9, 2022
The September 9, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was a discussion on the resurgence of unions, why it is occurring, the force behind it, and how we can help. VIRGINIA DIAMOND, President of Northern Virginia AFL-CIO, started us off by telling us about the current wave of labor organizing in Virginia. RAUL CASTRO, Senior Council Representative of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, explained how immigrant workers are exploited in the construction industry and the role of unions in protecting workers and helping them join the middle class. MERIDIAN STILLER, shared their experience unionizing one of 7 Starbucks in Richmond while still in high school. Now a freshman at Clark University, Meridian impressed us all that Gen Z is an impressive organizing force. JULIUS REYNOLDS, Loudoun County Chair of SEIU Virginia 512, spoke about the new collective bargaining rights passed by the Virginia General Assembly that have resulted in important developments for workers’ rights in Virginia.
August 26, 2022
The August 26, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was a discussion on the Battle to Save Democracy from the grips of those who are striking daily with laws to restrict women’s rights, voting rights, freedom, and equality under the law with two experts on law and the courts. DAHLIA LITHWICK, senior editor at Slate covering the Supreme Court and host of the extremely popular podcast Amicus, will talk to us about the state of the Supreme Court, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, and what we can expect from the court moving forward. LIS FROST, Litigation Chair & Partner at Elias Law Group, will share what it was like litigating and winning every bogus election fraud case by the Trump campaign and her firm’s effort to fight voter suppression and gerrymandering in courtrooms around the country.
August 19, 2022
The August 19, 2022 Friday Power Lunch spotlighted three bold women whose stories will inspire your inner badass. GINA WARNER, founder of the Badass Women’s Book Club, shared her journey forming the book club and how when women are bold together great things can happen. CASEY LONGENECKER, Chair of the Appomattox Democratic Committee, talked about what it’s like being a badass committee chair in a red district and how working together for the good of the community helps everyone. Activist CARRIE SHORT told us about her organizing efforts in Hampton Roads and how we can help this crucial region this election.
August 5, 2022
The August 5, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was about how we need to go bluer, be better at explaining what Democrats have accomplished, and be bolder and more vigilant in getting our message out to voters. DELEGATE MARCUS SIMON (HD 53) told us about early voting rights legislation that was enacted thanks to the 2021 Democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly. MATT CAFFREY (Senior Director of Grassroots Community Organizing, Swing Left) shared Swing Left’s national midterm strategy and what they’re doing in Virginia. He also previewed their big August 9th event “ALL HANDS: Post-Roe we can stop MAGA & WIN” with Simon Rosenberg (founder of New Democrat Network and the New Policy Institute, a liberal think tank and advocacy group) that will lift your heart knowing that the anti-MAGA majority is activated and getting out the vote. BARBARA JONES (Loudoun Grassroots Coalition), LISSA SAVAGLIO (Loudoun County Democratic Committee), and KRISTEN GORCZYK (Together We Will Loudoun) spoke about the upcoming Loudoun county grassroots event where they will knock on 40,000 doors in one day.
July 29, 2022
The July 29, 2022 Friday Power Lunch (July 29, 2022) focused on the importance of hiring more women in law enforcement at all levels of leadership and several public safety and police reform policies enacted or proposed by the Virginia General Assembly. The conversation started with MAUREEN MCGOUGH, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Policing Project (NYU School of Law) discussing the “30×30 Initiative”. This initiative seeks to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030 and to ensure police policies and culture intentionally support the success of qualified women officers throughout their careers. MAJOR THEA PIRNAT of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Resource Management Bureau and a featured 30×30 participant joined the conversation. Major Pirnat spoke about her background and experience working in a male dominated field and how she overcame those challenges. She discussed why a more diverse law enforcement benefits the organizational culture and the community she serves. VIRGINIA SENATOR DAVE MARSDEN (D-Fairfax) and trailblazer VIRGINIA SENATOR MAMIE LOCKE (D-Hampton) spoke about policy and their initiatives in Virginia to craft and pass police and public safety reform. Senator Mamie Locke introduced a comprehensive police reform package in 2020 that banned neck restraints, no-knock, warrants and requires officers to intervene if another officer is using unlawful use of force.
July 22, 2022
The July 22, 2022 Friday Power Lunch spotlighted three national groups who are working to mobilize the grassroots for the midterms. ISABEL BYRON and CRAIG SELIGMAN from Brooklyn, NY-based Red2Blue told us about their exciting work with the New Pennsylvania Project, modeled after Stacey Abrams’ New Georgia Project that resulted in 100% voter registration in Georgia after 10 years. They explained how they are gathering and using voter data so that volunteers now love phone banking….yes, you heard that right. RONNIE COHEN, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Activate America, spoke about how her group that started in California in 2017 has since expanded beyond California and western states to help House and Senate candidates from coast to coast. NICK KNUDSEN, Executive Director of DemCast explained their new program Mobilize for the Midterms and how to win the messaging challenges in 2022 they are adopting a more focused election messaging strategy along. Nick also shared their new best social media tools. collaboration.
July 15, 2022
The July 15, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was about troublemakers and troublemakers in training. Why? Because Democracy needs US. CATHERINE KOEBEL (Roanoke activist) spoke about how she turned her personal experience with the horrors of gun violence into action and helped launch a local “Groceries Not Guns” program. DREW AMSTUTZ is an Executive Operations Manager of Red, Wine & Blue–a sisterhood working to change the world one suburb at a time. With attitude and a glass of wine, they help women get active and empowered while having fun doing it. Drew talked about their new “Great Troublemaker Turnout Project.” LEE GIMPEL is Founder of Better Meetings and an expert on the dynamics of meetings and conferences. As activists, we need to know how to run good meetings because the stakes of what we’re doing are so high. Lee shared tips, tricks, and hacks for making Zooms and in-person meetings more effective and actionable, generating better ideas, and improving collaboration.
July 8, 2022
The July 8, 2022 Friday Power Lunch (7/8/2022) took a good, long look at the important role and impact of Corporate Social Responsibility. MALI PHONPADITH (Founder and CEO of SOAR Community Network, Certified Diversity & Inclusion and Talent Optimization Leader, TEDx Speaker and bestselling international author) helps organizational leaders build compassionate, cohesive and collaborative (C3) organizational cultures. CONNIE ST. JOHN (President of No Weapon Productions and St. John Consulting Group) works with cultural influencers in leadership development, communications, strategic planning, diversity & inclusion awareness and training, and employee engagement. MARISSA LEVIN (Co-Founder of Successful Cultural International, 30-year entrepreneur, speaker, bestselling author, mindset expert, and globally recognized growth strategist) helps organizations move from their current state to their desired state, and helps leaders reach their greatest personal and organizational potential. SHERYL REDDING-HUMPHREY (Director of Operations and Safety at Ross School of Business for the University of Michigan) specializes in operational strategy and organizational coordination to efficiently manage operations, provide innovative concepts, and uses an entrepreneurial framework to inspire teams. AMY DAGLIANO (Co-Founder and Inspiration Cultivator at Rowan Tree co-working space for women entrepreneurs) uses her heart-centered creative leadership approach to make Rowan Tree an inclusive, safe, and open virtual community and a welcoming, productive, and supportive in-person workspace in Herndon, VA.
June 24, 2022
The theme of the Friday Power Lunch (June 24, 2022) was “Winning Way Forward, Leadership, Strategy & Tactics.” New leadership brings new people to the table for new strategic thinking. We had an up close and personal conversation with the new Democratic leadership of the Virginia House of Delegates: Chair DEL. DON SCOTT (HD 80) and Vice Chair of Outreach DEL. DAN HELMER (HD 40). They outlined their plan of running candidates in every district, investing in rural districts, and working together with grassroots activists. As Del Helmer made clear, they are fired up to work for winning back the majority in 2023. REP. DON BEYER (CD 8) spoke about the Supreme Court decision and how out of step it was with the nation. He also discussed his gun tax bill that would impose a 1000% excise tax on manufacturer, importer, or producer of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. REP. GERRY CONNOLLY (CD 11) spoke about the January 6 commission and how we don’t have the luxury to feel despair. We need to organize and win in the upcoming election and every election. We ended the show with a conversation with community leader, civic engagement strategist, candidate for Mayor of Fairfax CATHERINE READ about the role the Women’s Summit plays inspirING activists to stay involved and even run for office.
June 17, 2022
The theme of the Friday Power Lunch (June 17, 2022) was “The Power of Diversity.” WES GOBAR, Communications and Outreach Director of the Black Oak Collective, spoke about how they have built a coalition in support of Black environmental communities in the DC area and beyond. Wes shed light on the impact of the lack of diversity in mainstream environmentalism and the importance of recognizing diversity to truly address the many layers involved in environmental justice. JONATHAN DROMGOOLE, President of the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia (DLOV) VA Dems Latino discussed how important it is to reach out to and not take this heterogeneous voting block for granted. Democrats may have the best ideas on education, immigration, jobs and the economy, but it will take a new strategy to communicate with diverse Latino communities effectively and on an ongoing basis. Jonathan will address how the VA Latino Dems are meeting this moment in Virginia. MAYOR MICHELLE DAVIS-YOUNGER, the first woman and first African-American to be elected mayor of Manassas, knows the importance of representation and spoke about her “My Mayor Looks Like Me” mentoring program for young girls.
June 10, 2022
The theme of the June 10, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was “Vote Them Out!” RACHEL BITECOFER, a nationally-recognized election analyst and political strategist, blogger of The Cycle, and founder of StrikePac, who makes amazingly accurate predictions…but is always unpredictable, brought her fusion of data-based analysis & cutting edge commentary to a discussion of we need to do to win in the Midterms. EJ SCOTT, Chair of the Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia, spoke about Juneteenth, an event commemorating the last notice given Black people that slavery had ended in the South. She also discussed what the Democratic Black Caucus sees as a needed strategy for better turnout and messaging leading up to the Midterms.
June 3, 2022
The theme of the June 3, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was “MORAL REVIVAL: Making Things Right And Overcoming Injustice.” REVEREND DR. LIZ THEOHARIS, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign (with Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II) and Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary led us in this discussion on how we can build a moral movement to 1) Shift the moral narrative, 2) Build power, and 3) Make real policies to fully address poverty and low wealth from the bottom. We ended with our favorite legal analysts GENE ROSSI updating us on the January 6 Commission. Gene also discussed the Johnny Deep vs Amber Heard defamation trial.
May 27, 2022
The theme of the May 27, 2022, Friday Power Lunch was “Let’s Get Loud!” because we need to turn up the volume on voter registration, results of recent messaging studies, and people power. We started the show by talking about National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend (June 3-5) with Moms Demand Action activist KELLY JOHNSON. Kelly shared information on local Wear Orange events happening this weekend. We talked about the urgency of turning up the volume for meaningful action on gun violence NOW! DALE ROY ROBINSON (COO of Field Team 6) shared how Field Team 6, a national organization whose mission is to “register Democrats to save the world” shared how Field Team 6 makes voter registration hip, cool, and the happening thing to do everywhere. Let’s get this voter registration party started! Check out the Field Team 6 “Voter Drive in a Box” for Virginia. MALLORY ROMAN, Research Director at Sister District Action Network, presented the results of their latest research on messaging, including messaging through postcards. We ended the show demonstrating how each of us can turn up the volume on our own people power messaging by making TikTok videos (easy and fun to do) and writing postcards with Postcards4VA. IIn 2022 our postcard initiatives are all about targeting. And targeting works!
May 20, 2022
The theme of the May 20, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was respect, something that is critically in short supply. We discussed respecting women, respecting access to abortion, respecting women candidates, respecting our teachers and public education, and respecting local Democratic committees.Our first segment spotlighted three of our amazing 2021 candidates who discussed their experiences running, winning and legislating: BRIANA SEWELL (HD51), MICHELLE MALDONADO (HD50), and JACKIE GLASS (HD89). What a tumultuous time it is for reproductive rights in Virginia and across the nation. HAN JONES (they/them), Political Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia provided information, data, and insight into the fight to access sexual and reproductive health care, especially abortion care. We then discussed the attack on public education in Loudoun County. SENATOR JENNIFER BOYSKO and Loudoun County School Board member ATOOSA REASEr gave us an update on what’s going on and what we can do. We ended the show with an example of how one local Democratic committee is working to bring about positive change to the state Democratic party. NANCY MORGAN from the Alexandria Democratic Committee (ADC) discussed the resolution that ADC passed unanimously on 5-2-2022 calling for a “reimagining” of the state party.
May 6, 2022
The May 6, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was a discussion on how to sift through the digital noise to really understand voters by identifying the many issues and concerns people care about. DR. JONATHAN TEUBER, CEO and Founder of FilterLabs discussed Filterlabs’ 21st Century approach to conducting focus groups in real time by using digital content to distill public opinion. LYNLEE THORNE (Political Director, Rural GroundGame) shared how Rural GroundGame uses information from FilterLabs to address issues important to rural Virginians. ANDREA MILLER (Executive Director, Center for Common Ground) talked about their work to educate and empower under-represented voters to engage in elections and advocate for their right to vote. MAKYA LITTLE spoke about her experiences being a first time candidate running for Delegate in the new House District 19.
April 29, 2022
The April 29, 2022 Friday Power Lunch featured people who are shaking off obstacles, stepping up, and making change. SHOW SUMMARY: DR. ALI KARIM (Executive Director) and WIDA SABER (Global Shout volunteer, women’s rights activist, psychologist, and 2021 Afghan evacuee) of Global Shout spoke their recent international humanitarian work: Building a school in the northeast Nigerian village of Chibok for formerly kidnapped schoolgirls, working with women educators from an all-girls school in Kabul to provide food assistance to families in need, and assisting Afghan refugees in Northern Virginia. DELEGATES SUHAS SUBRAMANYAM (HD87 Loudoun), KATHY TRAN (HD42 Fairfax) talked about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus in the Virginia General Assembly they formed last year to protect and support the state’s AAPI communities. DIANA WILLIAMS (Communications Manager) and LAURA GONZALEZ (Energy Policy) from Clean Virginia discussed their work for the equitable transfer to clean energy in Virginia.
April 22, 2022
President Obama once said, “One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it can change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world. Your voice can change the world.” The April 22, 2022 Friday Power Lunch explored what can happen when we play to our strengths for the greater good. GARY CARTER GREEN, Emmy Award winning producer, writer, and activists, spoke about his video podcast “You Can’t Beat Blue” where he makes news about issues and candidates fun, informative, and full of laughs. DELEGATE VIVIAN WATTS (HD 39) told us stories about her life as an activist working to break down barriers and shatter the glass ceiling for women in Virginia politics. KIM BOBO, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. shared stories and examples of what can happen when faith communities work together for a more just society.
April 15, 2022
The April 15, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was about people who are shaking things up. SENATOR LOUISE LUCAS, everyone’s favorite unbossed and outspoken President pro tempore of Virginia Senate spoke about leading the Senate’s Blue Wall this session to stop the Republican party from undoing all the good work of the Democrats since 2019. Senator Lucas uses her unique brand of BS busting wit and wisdom on social media to call out Governor Youngkin’s harmful legislative actions. DR SABRINA RICKS (Author and Founder of SBR Workplace Leadership Services) is an expert on bullying. Dr. Ricks spoke to the epidemic of bullying, describing some of its many forms in the workplace, explaining why it’s on the rise, and advising what we can do about it in our own lives and throughout society. Teen activists ABBY GARBER (Rural GroundGame); FELIX HEDBERG (Generation Ratify – The young people’s feminist movement); ELIZABETH BRUBAKER (VACSER – Coalition supporting the idea that all children have a right to medically accurate, age appropriate, comprehensive, and inclusive Family Life Education); and GIANA LATHAN (Generation Bloom – Grassroots persons of color youth led organization located in Hampton Roads, Virginia) spoke about issues and concerns that are inspiring Generation Z to step up and speak out.
April 8, 2022
The theme of the April 8, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was all about women: black and white, young and old, rural and suburban. On April 7, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to serve on the Supreme Court. In honor of this historic moment, we dedicated the second half of the show to being a confirmation celebration! JACKIE PAYNE, founder of Galvanize Action, shared their research on what they found works when messaging to white suburban women. The second half of the show was a joyful celebration of the confirmation of the first black woman to the Supreme Court: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson! Between remembering some of the touching moments of the confirmation hearing and the excitement of the final vote, FINALE NORTON, co-host and official show messenger, lead a memorable discussion on this historic moment. Joining the conversation to share their thoughts, hopes and emotions were poet DORRI SCOTT, civil rights activist MARGARET MORRISON, and the Honorable JOSH COLE.
April 1, 2022
The theme of the April 1, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was leave no voter behind as we recognize that what happens in one part of the state affects everyone in the state. TOM BONIER, CEO of Targetsmart, discussed what they are learning about the 2021 election from evaluating voter data. LUANNE RIFE, Executive Director of Cardinal News in Roanoke, Virginia, spoke about the important role of local news in providing accurate and trusted information. Commonwealth’s Attorneys BUTA BIBERAJ (Loudoun County) and STEVE DESCANO (Fairfax County) gave an update on their strides for criminal justice reform.
March 25, 2022
The March 25, 2022 Friday Power Lunch celebrated women making herstory by running for office in difficult races, forcing the door open to run, and inspiring and helping women lead. CONGRESSWOMAN ELAINE LURIA (CD 2) gave an update on her race and how she is connecting with the voters now in Congressional District 2 due to the redrawing of the district. LUISA BOYARSKI (Virginia Grassroots Coalition) gave her ever popular grassroots update. REBECCA SIVE, author of “Make Herstory Your Story,” explained the importance of telling our story as women and activists. She shared how her book is a guide on using journaling to record our work, thoughts, and ambitions. DELEGATE DANICA ROEM (HD13) spoke about Emerge Virginia’s work recruiting and training the next generation of Democratic leaders and her vision for the organization as its new Executive Director. VICTORIA VIRASINGH (Candidate in CD8) and ALLY DALSIMER (Candidate in CD11) spoke about why they decided to run, the challenges of running in a contested primary, the path they see to victory, and the importance of women building the bench.
We lost our dear friend Yvonne Lewis last week. Yvonne was an equality warrior, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc sister, voting rights activist, Virginia Beach organizer and so much more. She will always have a special place in our heart as one of the original members of the Friday Power Lunch After Chat community. We held a special After Chat where we shared memories of Yvonne, a life well lived. Watch the memories shared in the After Chat here.
March 18, 2022
The story of our work as activists over the past six years is the history of our time. The March 18, 2022 Friday Power Lunch continued our celebration of Women’s History Month with a discussions on the importance of local news and a conversation with the activists featured in the documentary RESISTERHOOD. MEGHAN MCCARTHY (VP of Content) and KATE BASSETT (Director of Content Organizing) spoke about how Courier Newsroom is “building a network of mission-driven local newsrooms across the country to create a more informed, engaged, and representative America working to bring back local news.” They also how their Virginia paper “Dogwood” is looking to partner with grassroots activists across the state for news, events, and information. Filmmaker CJ CRIM and three activists featured in the documentary RESISTERHOOD – MIMI HASSANEIN (Egyptian grandmother who ran for office in Maryland), MARGARET MORRISON (Civil rights activist) and LUIS GUTIERREZ (Former Congressman from Illinois) – spoke about the film, what it means to be a lifelong activist, and the importance of documenting our history.
March 11, 2022
The March 11, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was about something old (Putin’s continuing aggression), something new (how new chairs are revitalizing local Democratic committees), something borrowed (what we can learn from the Abolitionist movement), and something blue (how to use data strategically). CONGRESSMAN GERRY CONNOLLY (CD11) gave a special report on Ukraine after his visit to the Poland-Ukraine border. LINDA HIRSHMAN (Legal scholar, cultural historian, and author) spoke about her new book, The Color of Abolition: How a Printer, a Prophet and a Contessa Moved a Nation. SANDY MARKS (the new Chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee) discussed reenergizing and revitalizing local Democratic committees so they are welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to today’s crazy political environment. BECCA BLAIS (Executive Director of Bluebonnet Data) gave an update on what they saw and learned in Virginia in 2021.
March 4, 2022
The March 4, 2022 Friday Power Lunch was about getting rev’d up for Women’s History Month. SHOW SUMMARY Senator TIM KAINE gave us a special report on Ukraine. CJ CRIM told us about the exciting opportunity to see her documentary Resisterhood that tells our story of standing up and resisting! Representative JENNIFER WEXTON (CD10) gave an update on her 2022 campaign and how she is meeting her constituents new to CD10 due to redistricting. PRASIDHA PADMANABHAN (Founder & President) and the entire Executive Team of WEAR (Women for Education, Advocacy & Rights) – SHIVANI KANJERLA, BECCA JEFFRIES, AASHNA JOHRI, VANI GUPTA, CHRISTAL WANG, SHERRY YU, and GARV JAIN – spoke about their work to write women back into history and combat sexism through education, advocacy, and fighting for women’s rights. LISA HERRICK (Founder, 31 St Swing Left) told us about their organization and how they turned into a canvassing and grassroots fundraising powerhouse.
February 25, 2022
The February 25, 2022 Friday Power Lunch took a look at good laws inspired by everyday people. NARISSA RAHAMAN (Executive Director of Equality Virginia) spoke about their work seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Virginia. MARIA REYNOSO (Founder and Editor in Chief of We Vote Virginia) shared how they provide local Virginia political news to Generation Z through social media posts and infographics. The tragic death of Adam Oakes from fraternity hazing at VCU in 2021 inspired his family to get involved in the legislative process to make sure no other family would have to suffer the loss of a child due to hazing. We heard from Adam’s father, ERIC OAKES; his cousin, COURTNEY WHITE (author of the legislation); SENATOR JENNIFER BOYSKO (sponsor); and Loudoun County Supervisor JULI BRISKMAN who helped bring it all together. LILLY FRANKLIN (Chief of Staff for Delegate Sam Rasoul) informed us on other constituent-initiated legislation and what it takes to be part of the process.
February 18, 2022
As anyone who competes knows, after a competition you evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how you can improve. After the election losses in November, we need to look deep and reflect. The February 18, 2022 focused on what makes a dynamic and effective state party with our featured guest MARTHA LANING, Former Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party and Founder of the State Party Advancement Network (SPAN). Martha shared how she remade the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a strong and powerful force. HOLLY HAZARD and ROSE CONDE (Executive team members of the newly formed 4Public Education organization in Fairfax) spoke about the urgent need to get involved and speak out for public education. JOSH THRONEBURG (Candidate in CD5) was our election 2022 candidate spotlight.
February 11, 2022
If we were to describe the current political environment in one word, it would be divisive. From the Virginia Governor attacking a high school student on the Internet to politicizing children wearing masks at schools, there are those purposely trying to tear this nation apart. The 2/11/2022 Friday Power Lunch focused on the need to read the room and set the narrative to come out stronger.
February 4, 2022
As Republicans fan the flames of hatred and racism while making everything a political and divisive issue, it is up to us to unite and fight back. The 2/4/2022 Friday Power Lunch examined what it will take to bring us to a better place with some of today’s most dynamic black leaders in Virginia.
January 28, 2022
The 1/28/2022 Friday Power Lunch looked at the rise of homelessness and the issues surrounding affordable housing from the local, state, and national levels.
January 21, 2022
The 1/21/2022 Friday Power Lunch looked at some of the dangers facing Democracy. Our guests unwrapped the political power playbook to get a look at how the will of the people is being obstructed in the states, as well as federally with the delay of the 28th Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution.
January 14, 2022
As we headed into the change of power in Virginia, the 1/ 14/22 Friday Power Lunch looked at the challenges ahead.
January 7, 2022
It’s a new year full of new opportunities to make change. After what happened in the November Virginia General Election 2021, there is no doubt we need to shake things up if we want a vibrant and responsive infrastructure in place to excite voters and win elections. The January 7, 2020 Friday Power Lunch was a conversation on paving a way forward.
NETWORK NOVA
Our mission is to connect with others in Virginia and beyond for the purpose of promoting the democratic values of equality, justice, and human rights by creating opportunities for political engagement and civic participation to educate, engage, and empower voters, candidates, and elected officials. We strive to strengthen partnerships and build broad coalitions to continues the progress of winning back electoral power. We do not endorse candidates in the primary process unless the candidate is unopposed. We produce the annual Women’s Summit, the weekly Friday Power Lunches, and more