Civic Cipher

News & Politics Podcasts

Civic Cipher is a weekly radio show created to foster allyship for social justice. Hosted by Ramses Ja and Q. Ward, this show is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown voices, allowing them to engage directly with diverse populations across the country. Self-determination is critical to securing a future free of oppressive systems, and Civic Cipher exists to facilitate discussions toward this end. Furthermore, Civic Cipher seeks to inform non-POC allies who may not be privy to these types of discussions and optics. Finally, Civic Cipher seeks to provide long-form conversations in spaces where there is often a lack of significant resources, potent dialogue, or the necessary engagement for facilitating a healthy and productive civil discourse. FB/Instagram/Fanbase: @civiccipher

Location:

United States

Genres:

News & Politics Podcasts

Description:

Civic Cipher is a weekly radio show created to foster allyship for social justice. Hosted by Ramses Ja and Q. Ward, this show is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown voices, allowing them to engage directly with diverse populations across the country. Self-determination is critical to securing a future free of oppressive systems, and Civic Cipher exists to facilitate discussions toward this end. Furthermore, Civic Cipher seeks to inform non-POC allies who may not be privy to these types of discussions and optics. Finally, Civic Cipher seeks to provide long-form conversations in spaces where there is often a lack of significant resources, potent dialogue, or the necessary engagement for facilitating a healthy and productive civil discourse. FB/Instagram/Fanbase: @civiccipher

Twitter:

@civiccipher

Language:

English

Contact:

8184157831

Website:

https://hot983.iheart.com/featured/civic-cipher/

Email:

ramsesja@gmail.com

Episodes

Political Organizing and Advocacy with Zenia Perez (Part 1)

5/31/2025

Today’s guest is Zenia Perez is an organizer and political consultant working in the fields of advocacy and electoral politics. Online at @yourpoliticalprima In the first half of the show, Zenia Perez talks to us about the kind of work that she does to support politicians and causes. She discusses the path that she and others took to be influential changemakers on the political ground level. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Political Organizing and Advocacy with Zenia Perez (Part 2)

5/31/2025

Today’s guest is Zenia Perez is an organizer and political consultant working in the fields of advocacy and electoral politics. Online at @yourpoliticalprima In the second half of the show, Zenia discusses some of the threats that advocates of historically marginalized communities need to be mindful of during this second Trump administration. She also mounts a masterful defense of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

White South African Immigrants During an Anti-Immigration Administration

5/17/2025

In the first half of today’s program, we discuss the reception of White South African immigrants under the Trump administration and contrast their plight with those of the immigrants the administration is actively expelling. We seek to identify and discuss any oddities or inconsistencies with this act, and hopefully give communities around the country insight into ways people can avoid unlawful arrest, detainment, and deportation. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

It Was Once Illegal for Black People to Swim

5/17/2025

Our Way Black History Fact provides insight into what life was like when U.S. segregation extended into the oceans. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:04:03

The Future of Women Leaders in Politics

5/17/2025

In the second half of today’s show, we discuss the future of women leaders in politics and ways people can continue to support and champion women despite the losses of Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris in their respective presidential election campaigns. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Joy Ann Reid’s Dissection of Trump 2.0

5/10/2025

Our guest is Joy-Ann Reid…the self described writer, podcaster, documentary filmmaker, professional blerd, fan of democracy and OG hater of fascism and apartheid, who is best known as an American political commentator and television host. In today’s episode, we discuss her recent fireside chat known as Journalism Under Fire. We naturally discuss life under Trump’s second term in office so far. We explore the challenges that she faced in losing her MSNBC show as well as the challenges this administration presents to American journalism as a whole. We discuss her future plans in the media space, and what people on the ground can do to resist the oppression they feel under this administration. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:50:00

Human Rights Attorney Yannick Gill on How Trump’s First 100 Days Affected Marginalized Communities (Part 1)

5/3/2025

Our guest, Yannick Gill is a human rights lawyer based in Washington D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He is an accomplished human rights advocate defending marginalized people across the United States and abroad. In the first half of the show, we cover the impacts of Trump’s executive orders on Black and Brown communities. We discuss the attacks of DEI programs in the private and public sector. We also cover the destruction of USAID and the Department of Education. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Human Rights Attorney Yannick Gill on How Trump’s First 100 Days Affected Marginalized Communities (Part 2)

5/3/2025

Our guest, Yannick Gill is a human rights lawyer based in Washington D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He is an accomplished human rights advocate defending marginalized people across the United States and abroad. In the second half of the show, we talk about the disappearances to El Salvador, the suppression of immigrant and college student voices, and the attacks on law firms and nonprofits. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

QR Code - Shedeur Sanders Draft Pick / Shannon Sharp Sued (Part 1)

5/2/2025

In this episode: Culture – Shedeur Sanders not selected until the 144th pick in the NFL Draft Opinions – Shannon Sharpe sued for $50 million over allegations of sexual misconduct Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:30:02

QR Code - Judge Arrested for Protecting Immigrants / Ryan Coogler Makes History with Sinners Film (Part 2)

5/2/2025

In this episode: Dialogue – Judge Hannah Dugan arrested in Wisconsin for allowing an immigrant defendant escape Entertainment – Ryan Coogler and the success of his new film, Sinners Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:28:58

Does Hard Work Really Lead to Success? (Part 1)

4/26/2025

Today we pull from a public World Government Summit lecture offered by professor of political science, Dr. Roy Casagranda discussing the economic history of the Unted States as well as the dismantling of the free/low-cost education system once found in the United States. In the first half of the show, discuss the idea that hard work leads to success. We challenge the idea that a few aligned factors can create a universal pathway to the American dream. We also discuss the systemic barriers and advantages present in society and how certain groups are more likely to encounter these forces. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Trump’s Attack on the National Museum of African American History (Part 1)

4/19/2025

Our guest is Dr. Camilla Westenberg. Dr. Westenberg has been a decades-long advocate for equity for both women and marginalized communities. She is a Charter member of the NMAAHC. Additionally, she currently serves as the VP for Political Action of the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP, she is a distinguished leader in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Phoenix Chapter. Additionally, she is a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women. In the first half of the show, discuss the importance of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. We also discuss the attacks on the museum by the current administration. Finally, we discuss ways to support the museum as well as their path forward. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Harvard Rejects Trump’s Demands (Part 2)

4/19/2025

Our guest is Dr. Camilla Westenberg. Dr. Westenberg has been a decades-long advocate for equity for both women and marginalized communities. She is a Charter member of the NMAAHC. Additionally, she currently serves as the VP for Political Action of the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP, she is a distinguished leader in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Phoenix Chapter. Additionally, she is a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women. In the second half of the show, we talk about Harvard University’s defiant response to Trump’s demands, the purpose of institutions of higher learning, and what other organizations and entities could learn from their stance. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Students Pushing Back Against Schools Abandoning Diversity Programs (Part 1)

4/12/2025

Our guests are DJ – President of the Black Student Union at the University of Arizona and Ky’Jah – an activist working closely with the Department of African American Student Affairs In the first half of the show, we talk about the importance of diversity initiatives, the implications of the rollbacks of DEI initiatives on college campuses around the country, and what communities impacted by recent legislation and political threats can do to push back. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:23:00

Way Black History Fact - The History of HBCUs

4/12/2025

Our Way Black History Fact covers the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:04:01

What’s Wrong with DEI? (Part 2)

4/12/2025

Our guests are DJ – President of the Black Student Union at the University of Arizona and Ky’Jah – an activist working closely with the Department of African American Student Affairs In the second half of the show, we take on popular criticisms of DEI programs and offer additional perspective worth considering when attacking similar initiatives. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

The Dismantling of the Department of Education with Portia Allen Kyle (Part 1)

4/5/2025

Our guest is civil rights attorney Portia Allen-Kyle – the managing director of the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, Color of Change. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. In the first half of the show, we talk about the Color of Change, some of the problems created by the current political administration, and the implications of the dismantling of the Department of Education. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Portia Allen Kyle on Trump’s Impact on Civil Rights Organizations (Part 2)

4/5/2025

Our guest is civil rights attorney Portia Allen-Kyle – the managing director of the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, Color of Change. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. In the second half of the show, we discuss the plight of civil rights organizations under Trump, as well as what individuals can do to support (or boycott) initiatives they feel align with their interests as citizens. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Political Conclusions We Can Draw About Black America with Dr. Christopher Towler (Part 1)

3/29/2025

Our guest is Christopher Towler, PhD. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Sacramento. He is the Director of the Black Voter Project, Co-Founder of Black Insights Research and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. In the first half of the show, we talk about the data that allows us to draw rather different conclusions than many folks had when going into the most recent presidential election. Many narratives were chronicled that are not ultimately supported by the polling of Black people around this country. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:23:08

Why Does The Statue of Liberty Have Chains on Her Feet?

3/29/2025

Our Way Black History Fact covers the real reason the Statue of Liberty has chains on her feet. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:03:54