At Southern Coalition for Social Justice, we believe the South is the most radical place in this country; it’s why so much has been done to oppress those who call it home. In this podcast, you’ll hear directly from the folks on the frontlines; community members who are living the reality of uniquely Southern struggles, as well as advocates, lawyers, lawmakers, and others who are fighting back, creating solutions, changing the narrative, and forcefully demanding equal rights for all.
Voting rights, justice system reform, and environmental justice aren't just buzzwords; they are the issues that affect real lives. We'll delve deep into these topics, exploring how they intersect, impact, and empower the stories of our Southern communities.
Explore the power of language in shaping democracy in this latest episode of Southern Gumption. Host Andy Li is joined by Dauda Sesay, co-founder of the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI), Angelo Ancheta of Demos, and Jimmy Patel-Nguyen from North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT). Together, they discuss the critical role of language access in ensuring equitable participation at the ballot box, particularly for immigrants, refugees, and non-English speakers. From multilingual voter hotlines to translated election materials, this episode showcases how advocacy and community efforts break barriers to voting.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
26 Feb 2025
Restoring Your Rights
This episode of Southern Gumption details the fight to restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals across the South. We are joined by Sheba Williams of No Left Turns and Kristie Puckett of Forward Justice to unpack the systemic racism embedded in felony disenfranchisement and its enduring impact on Black communities. The conversation explores legal battles like Forward Justice’s 2022 lawsuit, which temporarily restored voting rights to over 55,000 North Carolinians, and highlights the challenges of navigating evolving laws and policies. Through personal stories, such as Sheba’s own journey to reclaiming her vote, this episode highlights the resilience of those fighting for justice and the transformative power of civic engagement in empowering communities.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
19 Feb 2025
Ballots Within Reach
Let's examine the systemic challenges of voter suppression in the South. In this episode of Southern Gumption, we speak to Dom Kelly of New Disabled South and Jenny McKenny of Vote Riders to explore barriers to voting, from inaccessible polling places to discriminatory voter ID laws. Dom and Jenny also shed light on the resilience of communities working tirelessly to ensure every vote is counted and highlight the innovative solutions and advocacy efforts of their organizations. Discover stories of triumph, like voters overcoming obstacles with determination and the support of grassroots organizations. This episode challenges us to rethink what accessibility and equity in voting really mean and reminds us of the power of collective action.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
19 Jun 2024
The Birthplace of the Movement
Join us for the Season 1 finale of Southern Gumption for a very special conversation with members of the Warren County Environmental Action Team to discuss the history of the North Carolina PCB Protests of 1982, which popularized the term "environmental justice." Learn about the multiracial coalition that formed the seven-week long fight against illegal dumping of toxic waste, the ongoing efforts to continue the fight, and the power of telling your own story.
Featured in this episode are Reverend Bill Kearney, creator of the Warren County African American History Collective and WCEAT; Wayne Mosley, one of the original participants of the 1982 protests who has helped produce two documentaries on the protests; and Dollie Burwell, another participant of the protests who is known as the "Mother of the Environmental Justice Movement."
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
5 Jun 2024
Move the Monument
Hear the stories of dedicated community activists as we tell the story of Edenton and its Confederate monument. Hear about the long battle over removing these monuments of hate in North Carolina, the recent legal battles over moving them, and how the fight for justice in one small Outer Banks town reflects the fight for justice across the South.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and produced by Earfluence.
8 May 2024
Locked in, Counted Out
Join us for an eye-opening conversation as we delve into the critical issue of prison gerrymandering and its profound impact on political representation. Our guest, Mike Wessler, the Communications Director of the Prison Policy Initiative (https://www.prisonpolicy.org/), sheds light on how the practice distorts our democratic process by counting incarcerated individuals in census data where they are imprisoned rather than their home communities. We unravel the failures and gaps in knowledge within the Census system, which perpetuate the erasure of incarcerated populations from the political discourse. Tune in as we confront the challenges and obstacles faced in rectifying this injustice, and discover the pathways toward a fairer, more equitable political system that truly represents all voices, including those too often silenced by the criminal legal system.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice, and produced by Earfluence.
10 Apr 2024
Denying The Truth
Walk through a historic story of election denialism as we tell the story of Surry County and the first removal of election deniers from public office in the country. Learn about the critical infrastructure of our election administration as we detail how the violent Jan. 6 insurrection trickles down to your local elections— and how North Carolina's robust pro-democracy community fought to keep elected officials accountable to the law and the people they are supposed to serve.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
3 Apr 2024
(Bonus) Toxic Tour Q&A with EJCAN's Sherri White-Williamson
From a recent Southern Gumption live podcast event, we had the opportunity to speak with EJCAN (https://www.ejcan.org/)'s Sherri White-Williamson, and she had a lot to say about the Sampson County Toxic Tour (episode 1).
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
27 Mar 2024
From Moldy Classrooms to State Elections
Take a seat as we discuss the intersection of environmental justice and voting rights. We sit down with a Down Home Alamance County member to discuss the jaw-dropping mold infestation in local schools and the muddled and frustrating response from elected officials. With the passion and tenacity of a working-class mother, we’ll discuss the fight for change in Alamance County, decades in the making.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
6 Mar 2024
The Toxic Tour
Join us on a profoundly personal odyssey as we journey down to Sampson County, NC, navigating its roads and histories on a 'toxic tour' of environmental injustice. Feel the palpable echoes of Jim Crow as we witness firsthand the struggles of its predominantly Black residents against the backdrop of landfills, hog farms, and a looming gas treatment plant. Through intimate encounters and shared stories, we uncover the enduring spirit of a community fighting for safety and equity, generation after generation.
Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (https://southerncoalition.org/), and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
1 Mar 2024
Welcome to Southern Gumption, Hosted by Southern Coalition for Social Justice(SCSJ)
Welcome to Southern Gumption. I’m your host, Andy Li, and together, we'll embark on a journey through history and the present day to reveal the unheard voices who have been instrumental in shaping the fight for voting rights, justice system reform, and environmental justice.
Today's trailer of Southern Gumption is hosted by Andy Li (https://southerncoalition.org/our-team/andy-li/) (he/him/they/them), presented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) of North Carolina, and produced by Earfluence (https://www.earfluence.com/).
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,738
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
55
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
71
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