Political & National Issues
Liberal Voices
Liberal Voices:
Civil Rights Activist & Politician
Presidential candidate and civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson is the voice of American activism. Called “the great unifier,” he has played a pivotal role for civil rights and economic and social justice.
Consumer Advocate
A former Green Party candidate for president, Ralph Nader fights for the people on the issues that matter most: healthcare, safety, environment, ethics, education, and economic & social equality.
Host, Democracy Now!
Amy Goodman is the host and executive producer of the independent news program Democracy Now! She speaks on political, gender, human rights and economic issues as well as her book Breaking the Sound Barrier.
Public Intellectual & Best-Selling Author
Featured on NPR and MSNBC, Professor Dyson melds scholarly insight with contemporary culture and examines civil rights and race relations. This thought-provoking talks foster social change.
New York Times Columnist & Pulitzer Prize-Winner
Maureen Dowd, winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary and author of three New York Times best sellers, became an Op-Ed columnist in 1995. In August 2014, she also became a writer for The Times Magazine.
Author, Activist, Educator & Historian
As co-founder of the Free South Africa Movement, Berry helped to end apartheid. Today, she is one of the most respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality and social justice.
Comedian
Star of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill Maher is one of today’s most politically astute comedians. His unflinching honesty and commitment to never pulling a punch have garnered him respect and admiration.
Democratic Political Strategist
The first African-American to run a major presidential campaign, Brazile is a CNN commentator and served as interim chairperson of the DNC.
Feminist & Writer
Drawing from her experience on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List and the ensuing “Free Angela Davis” campaign, Davis delivers riveting messages of tolerance.
Anchor, The Beat with Ari Melber
Ari Melber is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, writer and attorney. He serves as Chief Legal Correspondent for MSNBC, covering the Justice Department, Supreme Court, FBI, prominent court cases and national legal issues.
NYT Bestselling Author, Political Commentator & Cultural Critic
Molly Jong-Fast is a New York Times bestselling author, political commentator, and cultural critic known for her sharp wit, fearless honesty, and unwavering commitment to truth.
Political & Social Activist
A leading voice in civil rights, speaker Al Sharpton is founder and president of the National Action Network, which supports community businesses and combats corporate racism.
CEO, Citizen University & Civic Evangelist
One of the country’s most sought-after speakers on citizen power, civic health, the future of democracy and American identity, civic evangelist Eric Liu celebrates shared values and challenges Americans to live up to them.
Native American Environmentalist
An advocate for frontline native environmental groups and ecological balance, LaDuke was twice Ralph Nader’s vice-presidential candidate for the Green Party.
Nobel Prize-Winning Economist
Speaker Joseph Stiglitz helped create a new branch of economics, "The Economics of Information." He discusses market performance and government intervention.
White House Advisor on ISIS & the Middle East
One of the most respected experts on the Middle East, Robert Malley was the Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf Regions and Senior Advisor to the President for the Counter-ISIS campaign.
Chief of Staff to Chief Content Officer, Netflix
As Obama’s personal aide, Ferial Govashiri spent the past 10 years within arm’s length of one of the world’s most powerful leaders. She is now the Chief Of Staff to Chief Content Officer at Netflix.
Opinion Columnist for The Washington Post
Catherine Rampell writes a twice-weekly, nationally syndicated opinion column for The Washington Post. She covers economics, public policy, politics, and culture, with a special emphasis on data-driven journalism.
Leading National Voice on Restorative Justice
A long-time social justice activist, civil rights trial attorney, writer, professor and scholar, Davis speaks on the power of restorative justice and search for healing.
Renowned Broadcaster, Author & Host, On Shifting Ground, NPR Veteran
Journalist and author Ray Suarez hosts On Shifting Ground, a radio program syndicated on NPR and PRX stations across the U.S.
Editor-in-Chief, The Cut
One of the nation’s rare Black female editors-in-chief and a 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, The Cut’s Lindsay Peoples shares an invaluable view of women’s empowerment, marketing to GenZ and elevating your brand in the era of BLM.
CNN Political Analyst & Anchor for theGrio
Natasha S. Alford an award-winning journalist, host and media executive driven by the
power of storytelling to inspire and change people’s lives.
Bridging the Divide
Honest, candid, reflective, and intelligent conversation from two forward-looking professionals. From the stories behind the headlines, to the ones you’ve never heard of, Maska and Farah will deliver the serious and light-hearted alike, with class.
Co-Executive Director of the CPD
Ana María emigrated to the U.S. from Colombia at the age of 17 and has become a leading voice for racial justice, economic justice and immigrant rights in New York and nationally as co-Executive Director of the CPD.
Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign & NYT Best-Selling Author
The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is the President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach; Co- Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign; Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; and Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary.
Award-Winning Journalist & Author of The Movement
Clara Bingham is an award-winning journalist and author whose work has focused on social justice and women’s issues. She is the author of four books.
Author & Professor
Corey Brettschneider has studied and taught politics and constitutional law for nearly all of his adult life. Corey has written and taught in Brown's political science department and his focus has been on issues central to our democracy.
Youngest Ever New York Times Opinion Writer & Host of ASK VIV Podcast
Bianca Vivion Brooks is a writer, artist, and designer from East Atlanta, Georgia. Born in Los Angeles and later raised between Atlanta and Oakland, Brooks was marked from an early age as an imaginative storyteller and critical thinker.
Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter
LaTosha Brown is an award-winning visionary thought leader, institution builder, Cultural Activist and Artist, and Connector. She is a nationally recognized, “go-to” expert in Black Voting Rights and Voter Suppression.
CEO of Robin Hood
Richard is the CEO of Robin Hood and former Chief Executive Officer of Achievement First, a network of 37 public charter schools providing an excellent education to 15,000 students across New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
New York Times Bestselling Author & Political Analyst
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, radio host, political analyst and a New York Times bestselling author. The Grift, an instant New York Times bestseller, was released in January 2024.
12th U.S. Secretary of Education
Dr. Miguel A. Cardona is an American leader and educator. He served as the 12th United States Secretary of Education, a position he was nominated for by President Joe Biden.