#TalkRadio – March 4: State of Disunion & Our Resilience: Countering the Attacks on DEI in Education and Corporate America, Commemorating 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday

SPEAKERS:

President Stacy Davis Gates: 12:00 PM – 12:25 PM ET
President of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) in July of 2022; national leader in the labor movement and progressive political organizing efforts; X/Twitter: https://x.com/stacydavisgates ; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctulocal1/ 

Tasha Dangerfield: 12:25 PM – 12:57 PM ET
2024 Community Liaison/Arts Revive for Photographic Nights of Selma Festival where she was involved in educational workshops; visionary; community activist; Watch Tasha discuss the effects of SB1 in 2024 on displaced citizens in Alabama and her assistance to these individuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzrkqCmlk1M ; 
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahairgoddess/ ;
The Selma Social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselmasocial ;
The Selma Social Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theselmasocial 

Jonnita Dockens: 12:00 PM – 12:57 PM Eastern Time
Executive Assistant of the Transformative Justice Coalition

INTRODUCTION:

Hi Igniters For Change! The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled “State of Disunion & Our Resilience: Countering the Attacks on DEI in Education and Corporate America, Commemorating 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday”, with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. will feature special guests President Davis Gates, Tasha Dangerfield, and Jonnita Dockens. 

Our show will open with a thank you for those who participated in the Blackout Friday on February 28th. TJC Thanks all of the participants of the February 28, 2025 Economic Blackout: your united action sent a resounding message! By withholding your dollars, you made an undeniable stand for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Corporate Responsibility -creating a profound shift that cannot be ignored. Your sacrifice was more than a statement; it was a bold declaration of unwavering commitment to justice and fairness, echoing far beyond a single day. 

Now is the time to amplify your impact.The momentum you have ignited is a force for lasting transformation. Keep using your voice, your influence, and your power. A sustained fight for DEI will ensure that the legacy of the Economic Blackout endures- and reshapes the future.

Buy the t-shirt of all future economic boycotts: https://thepeoplesunionusa.creator-spring.com/listing/buy-the-comfort-tee?product=369&variation=6513 

See impact of Target Boycotts so far: 

• https://www.targetfast.org/ 

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2025/03/03/target-loses-and-costco-wins-in-web-traffic-on-feb-28-economic-blackout-day/ (Please note that the Forbes article tracks website traffic, which – although insightful and valuable – can also be misleading as there were some calls to fill carts with regular everyday items and then abandon the carts; the quarterly earning reports, which are not out yet for after companies began rolling back DEI as the article points out, will be more telling.)

The show will then turn to President Davis Gate’s segment focusing on the Trump Education Department attack on DEI in Education and the Chicago Teachers Union’s stance. The Trump Administration recently issued a directive to schools, giving them two weeks to comply with an anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) order. However, after the deadline, the Education Department walked back the order. The directive warned that schools might lose federal funding if they continued with DEI programs. This move has sparked significant controversy and legal challenges.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has sued the Trump Administration over this directive, arguing that it is unconstitutionally vague and violates the First Amendment’s free speech protections. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, claims that the directive would hamper equal access to education and have devastating impacts on schools by denying students opportunities to hone their critical thinking skills and expand their worldview.

The Chicago Teachers Union, along with other prominent teachers’ unions, has taken a strong stance against the Trump Administration’s policy. They argue that DEI programs are essential for addressing historic inequities and uplifting marginalized communities. The unions are seeking to block the policy, asserting that it misrepresents the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action and would constitute illegal discrimination in the eyes of the Department of Education.

Our guest, Stacy Davis Gates, took office as President of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) in July of 2022 and is a national leader in the labor movement and progressive political organizing efforts. 

 President Davis Gates taught high school social studies in Chicago Public Schools before joining the CTU staff, politicized and spurred to union activity by the 2008 closing of Englewood High School, her workplace on Chicago’s South Side. Late CTU President Karen Lewis recognized Davis Gates’ bold strategic vision and political savvy, tapping her to become the union’s Political and Legislative Director in 2011. In that position, she built coalitions and spearheaded legislative campaigns that established an elected school board for Chicago, the most substantial charter school accountability measures in the country, restoration of bargaining rights denied to Chicago educators for nearly three decades, and securing hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding for Chicago Public Schools. Her leadership greatly expanded the union’s political vision, building political organizations like United Working Families and raising millions to elect progressive community leaders from Chicago to city, county, and state governments and the U.S. Congress, culminating with the election of CTU organizer and middle school teacher Brandon Johnson as Mayor of Chicago in 2023. 

As CTU Vice President, Davis Gates helped lead a successful 15-day strike in the fall of 2019. That united strike landed the negotiation of a historic contract providing smaller class sizes, a nurse and social worker in every Chicago public school, sanctuary protections for immigrant families, and support for students and families experiencing homelessness. 

Davis Gates’ focus on community outreach and CTU’s outspokenness about racism, privatization, democracy, women’s rights and other causes under her leadership have gained a national audience and made her a regular target of right-wing media, conservative activists and corporate lobbyists. In addition to her leadership at CTU, President Davis Gates also serves as the Executive Vice President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers, Party Chair of United Working Families, and board member of the Action Center on Race & the Economy (ACRE). She lives on the South Side of Chicago with her husband and three children.

March 4th is a national day of action to “protect our kids – settle our contract” so President Davis Gates will also discuss how CTU is trying to build a forcefield around Chicago students to protect them from Trump’s attacks and lift up how educators are using their labor power to benefit Black, Latino, and broader school communities.

Next, Igniting Change will discuss TJC’s presence at the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday with guests Tasha Dangerfield and Jonnita Dockens. Join TJC on March 8th, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM for the 60th Annual Selma Jubilee Voting Rights Series. Transformative Justice Coalition presents “Fighting Forward from Selma 60th to the Future” A Voting Panel Series and Workshops. There will be free lunch at this event and the workshops will be held at the George Wallace Community College, Hank Sanders Technology Center in Selma, AL. 

Igniting Change Co-Hosts Arnwine and Jones and guest Jonnita Dockens will also discuss TJC’s #NoDEINoBUY Campaign. We applaud all entities that have announced their continued commitment to DEI. Our campaign will support and defend those who have aligned themselves with truth telling and needed change by standing on the promise of a diverse, equitable and inclusive USA. We urge the people of America to take a stand to ensure fairness, justice, and equal opportunity for all, rejecting systems that uphold exclusion and inequality. Your voice and engagement can make a difference! TJC will unite with others in a multi-phase campaign to support boycotts, economic fasting, protests, litigation, communications and other strategies to demand change, following the profound and lasting spirit of our ancestors.

Join Us!! https://bit.ly/NoDEINoBUY 

The next boycott is of Amazon, March 7th – 14th. Co-Hosts Arnwine and Jones will provide tips and explain the importance of this boycott.

Lastly, Arnwine will discuss her appearance on a special edition of the Roland Martin Unfiltered Show called the “State Of Our Union” on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 7:00 PM-1:00 AM on March 5th, 2025.

References:

1.  American Federation of Teachers. (2025, February 26). Teachers union sues Trump administration over DEI policy. USA Today. Retrieved from [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/02/26/teachers-union-sues-trump-administration-dei-policy/80466558007/ ]
2. Chicago Teachers Union. (2025, March 3). Teachers union sues over Trump admin’s DEI warning to schools. MSN. Retrieved from [https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/teachers-union-sues-over-trump-admin-s-dei-warning-to-schools/ar-AA1zMXBn ]
3. Education Department. (2025, March 3). Trump Education Department DEI FAQ. USA Today. Retrieved from [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/03/03/trump-education-department-dei-faq/81152789007/ ]

QUESTIONS:

[Co-Hosts Arnwine and Jones and guests will begin the show discussing upcoming TJC events: thanking everyone who participated in the national economic blackout on February 28th; the  re-enactment of the Selma-to-Montgomery March; Barbara’s appearance on Roland Martin’s show tonight, March 4th, from 7;00 PM – 1:00 AM; a thank you to recent donors; and, a call for people be sure to donate to our voting rights work]

SEGMENT WITH GUEST PRESIDENT DAVIS GATES (ends at 12:25 PM Eastern Time)

• Welcome President Davis Gates to Igniting Change. Please tell our audience about the Chicago Teachers’ Union.
• How many members are in the Union?
• What is the history of the Chicago Teachers’ Union?
• How many students do the Chicago Teachers’ Union teach?
• Why did you decide to seek the presidency of the Chicago Teachers’ Union in 2022?
• On January 21st, the CTU issued a statement on Trump’s Policy Threatening Schools. What do our listeners need to know about that statement?
• How has the Trump Administration’s mass deportation push affected the students and teachers of the Chicago Public Schools?
• You have not been silent about your opposition to the Trump Administration’s DEI Guidance. Tell us about your concerns about restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion for the Chicago Schools workforce?
• Tell us about why you have publicly stated that “We will not be Florida where churches are teaching Black history on the weekend. Black history is going to stay and remain as a course of study in our public schools and we’re going to teach it during the school day too!” Wow!  What has been the reaction to your stance?
• Today, March 4th is a national day of action to “protect our kids – settle our contract”. I know CTU is trying to build a forcefield around Chicago students to protect them from Trump’s attacks and lift up how educators are using their labor power to benefit Black, Latino, and broader school communities. Tell our audience about this.
• What do you want to say to our national audience about this time in history and all of our roles in addressing the threats of the Trump Administration?
• Thank you so much for joining us today. How do our listeners get in contact with you?

SEGMENT ON Selma, 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and TJC’s #NoDEINoBUY Campaign WITH guests Tasha Dangerfield and Jonnita Dockens (begins at 12:25 PM Eastern Time)

• Welcome to Igniting Change, Tasha Dangerfield. You are an amazing community activist who has decided to make Selma, Alabama your focus. Tell us why.
• Tasha, March 5th – 9th, 2025 is the Selma Jubilee commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Tell people about Bloody Sunday.
• Tasha, tell us about The Invisible Giants program on Friday, March 7th, 2025.
• Jonnita, The Transformative Justice Coalition and the National Organization for Women are partnering with Tasha, Faya Rose Sanders, and the Selma Jubilee. Why is this programming important to national organizations?
• On Saturday, March 8th, 2025, TJC is sponsoring a luncheon and several workshops from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, with a reception beginning at 5:00 PM and ending at 5:45 PM at the Hank Sanders Center at the George Wallace Community College. There is a Gen Z Luncheon that kicks off this program. Why is this important?
• Jonnita, tell us more about the highlights of the two workshops.
• Tasha, how many people do you think are going to come to this year’s Sunday bridge crossing?
• Why is it important for people to show up for the re-enactment of Bloody Sunday by walking across the Edmund-Pettus Bridge?
• Tasha, if people want more information about the Jubilee, what should they do?
• Jonnita, if people want more information about TJC’s programs on Saturday, what should they do?
• Tasha, Selma is a severely economically depressed city, purposefully neglected by the state of Alabama for its history. What can our listeners do to help Selma throughout the year?
• We are now going to turn back to the subject of DEI, this time focusing on the corporate sector. Since our last show, TJC has added to its website more information on our #NoDEINoBUY Campaign. Jonnita, tell people about the resources that they are going to find at tjcoalition.org?
• Jonnita, what has been the public reaction to this new campaign? On LinkedIn, TJC’s post has had 13,575 impressions since it was posted 4 days ago.
• Jonnita, private companies are capitulating to the MAGA’s demand to drop DEI programs. What is TJC recommending that people do in regards to these private companies that have dismantled their DEI programs?
• This subject has brought out a whole lot of angry folks, mainly White men in opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion, calling it “racist”. How have you reacted to these trolls?
• On the other hand, interestingly, some Black people are disappointed in DEI not being strong enough. How should we respond to them?
• What do you think should be the position towards the companies that have maintained their DEI programs?
• How do we publicly support these companies, such as Sharpton’s Costco “Buy In” and influencers putting out lists of local Black-owned businesses?
• Jonnita, what are some of your favorite resources that you found when curating TJC’s list of resources?

[TJC has recently unsubscribed from Amazon completely. Barbara and Daryl will share tips for how to participate in a complete boycott of Amazon or the week-long boycott March 7th – the 14th.]

• Tasha, what are your final one-minute thoughts?
• Thank you so much for joining us today. How do our listeners get in contact with you?

[Co-Hosts Arnwine and Jones and guests will end the show reminding listeners to watch Arnwine’s participation in Roland Martin’s show tonight; how to call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and to join upcoming TJC events: the  re-enactment of the  Selma-to-Montgomery March; a thank you to recent donors and call for people be sure to donate to our voting rights work]

[TJC will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all Americans and will fight the implementation of Project 2025 and our future shows will continue to cover any hate crimes and how we effectively protect ourselves while advancing our agenda for justice.]

[Daryl, Barbara, and guests may share their favorite books and encourage people to donate towards TJC’s giveaways of banned and affirming books.]