7 Nov 2026
Dawn Blagrove - "From A Distance"
In this post-midterm episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Dawn Blagrove, Executive Director of Emancipate NC, to unpack the aftermath of the 2026 midterm elections — what many are calling a "blue tsunami." Recorded the day after Election Day (November 4th), the conversation covers the historic wins across the country, from flipped state senates and congressional seats to the election of Black governors and diverse leadership at every level.
Dawn and Erika dig into what these results really mean: Was this a kumbaya moment or an economic reckoning? They explore how people power beat gerrymandering in North Carolina, why voters chose their pockets over their prejudices, and what the Democratic Party must do to hold onto this momentum heading into 2028. The conversation also tackles the Michigan Senate drama, voter ID laws as a potential Trojan horse for women's disenfranchisement, the need to hold newly elected officials accountable (including Black leaders), and why incrementalism is no longer an option.
The episode closes with homework for every listener: stay leaned in, follow your elected officials, and remember that voting is the beginning — not the end — of civic engagement.
Show Notes
Episode Title: From A Distance Season: 3 Host: Erika Washington Guest: Dawn Blagrove, Executive Director of Emancipate NC Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes
In This Episode
The Blue Tsunami — Erika and Dawn react to the historic 2026 midterm results, from flipped legislatures to historic firsts for Black, Hispanic, and Native American governors
People Power Wins — How grassroots organizing beat gerrymandering in North Carolina and across the country
Hope and Relief — The emotional weight of watching democracy pushed to the brink — and the relief of seeing America say "not yet"
Economy Over Bigotry — Why voters chose their wallets over their prejudices, and what a real kitchen-table election looks like
Michigan Senate Drama — The controversial last-minute endorsement flip by Haley Stevens and what it reveals about political loyalty
What Democrats Owe Black Voters — Dawn's demands: shore up the Voting Rights Act, end police killings without consequence, fund Head Start, and show the Black vote is valued in action — not just words
No More Incrementalism — Why baby steps won't undo giant damage, and what the first 100 days should look like
Rebuilding the Democratic Party — The party must embrace progressive candidates, stop playing kingmaker, and realign with the people's will — or risk losing everything in 2028
Accountability Over Identity — Celebrating Black faces in high places while holding them to the values of the communities that elected them
Voter ID Alarm Bells — How voter ID laws may be a precursor to women's disenfranchisement, rooted in white Christian nationalist ideology
Funding Long-Term Strategy — Why progressive movements need investment in thinking and planning, not just crisis response
Homework: Stay Leaned In — Follow your elected officials, sign up for newsletters, attend city council meetings, and reach out at least quarterly
Notable Quotes
"People power is the first thing that comes to mind… when we vote together, when we vote in numbers, when we do what they don't expect us to do, we win." — Dawn Blagrove
"Groceries and gas is too damn high to be a bigot or a racist." — Erika Washington
"I'm not willing to let my racism bankrupt me." — Dawn Blagrove, on what drove voters away from MAGA
"Fuck incrementalism. If we didn't learn anything else from the last two years, what we learned is you ain't gotta do shit incrementally if you don't want to." — Dawn Blagrove
"All skin folk ain't kinfolk… just because we have Black faces in high places doesn't mean our work is done." — Dawn Blagrove
"If you had stayed leaned in from '08 till now the way you were in this 2026 election, how does your life look different?" — Dawn Blagrove
Organizations & People Mentioned
Emancipate NC — Dawn Blagrove's organization
Make It Work Nevada — Erika's organization (show sponsor)
Beyond Impact — Parent project
KUNV 91.5 — Special thanks
Michigan United — Shoutout to Ken Whittaker and Shanay
FAMU (Florida A&M University) — Keisha Lance Bottoms' alma mater
Angie Nixon (Florida), Mondaire Jones (New York), Cheri Beasley (North Carolina), Aaron Ford (Nevada), Abdul El-Shaheed(Michigan), Roy Cooper (North Carolina) — Candidates and elected officials discussed
Production Credits
Hosted and produced by Erika Washington Edited by Black Gypsy LLC Special thanks to KUNV 91.5 Powered by Make It Work Nevada, a project of Beyond Impact
Connect
Follow Sticky Note Conversations for more episodes, and stay tuned for the next conversation — because as Erika and Dawn noted, the 2028 presidential race is already on the horizon, and there's a lot of work to do between now and then.
(00:00) - Show Intro
(00:44) - Midterm Aftermath
(02:49) - People Power Wins
(05:18) - Hope And Relief
(14:30) - Economy Over Bigotry
(19:02) - Michigan Senate Drama
(25:33) - Black Vote Demands
(27:10) - Keeping Energy To 2028
(29:50) - No More Incrementalism
(37:36) - Rebuilding The Party
(46:24) - Democrats Need Reshuffle
(47:26) - Progressives Or Civil War
(48:24) - New Governors New Stakes
(50:26) - Accountability Over Identity
(53:35) - Co Governing Support System
(01:01:07) - Voter ID Alarm Bells
(01:08:23) - Why It Keeps Passing
(01:14:55) - Funding Long Term Strategy
(01:20:00) - Building Toward 2028
(01:25:34) - North Carolina Change Window
(01:28:50) - Homework Stay Leaned In
(01:31:45) - Closing Thanks And Next Steps
