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
Email:
ramsesja@gmail.com
Episodes
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
Political Conclusions We Can Draw About Black America with Dr. Christopher Towler (Part 2)
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 second half of the show, we discuss the polling data since the election and what conclusions we can draw from it. We also examine some positive aspects of the data uncovered by Dr. Towler and how the progressive minds in this country can implement it into their strategies moving forward.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:22:58
Pushing Back Against Nazis with Lincoln Heights Resident Sharen Sierra King (Part 1)
3/22/2025
Our guest is Sharen Sierra King - Journalist, public speaker and former radio host as well as a resident of Lincoln Heights Ohio...the place that is making national headlines for the Nazi demonstrations and the community response.
In the first half of the show, we talk about the original march by the Nazis on the town of Lincoln Heights. We discuss the timing of the demonstration as well as the emboldening of the far right by the current administration.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:23:11
Black WWII Veterans were Denied the G.I. Bill
3/22/2025
Our Way Black History Fact covers how Black servicemen returning from WWII were systematically denied their benefits from the G.I Bill.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:03:51
Pushing Back Against Nazis with Lincoln Heights Resident Sharen Sierra King (Part 2)
3/22/2025
Our guest is Sharen Sierra King - Journalist, public speaker and former radio host as well as a resident of Lincoln Heights Ohio...the place that is making national headlines for the Nazi demonstrations and the community response.
In the second half of the show, we discuss Lincoln Height’s response to the Nazi demonstrations, and how these actions can be replicated if necessary in communities around the country. We also discuss other ways people can—if necessary—resist the forces of this administration .
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:22:58
Civil Rights Attorney Amy Owen Discusses the Rise in Hate Crimes (Part 1)
3/15/2025
Our guest is Amy Owen AKA Pineapple Lawyer – a civil rights attorney who has worked several major cases alongside Ben Crump as well as many high-profile clients.
In the first half of the show, we talk about the increase in hate crimes since the election of Donald Trump. We also discuss how his administration is actively stripping away civil rights, and what steps people can take in the event they end up facing hate or discrimination.
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 First Interracial Basketball Game
3/15/2025
Our Way Black History Fact covers a secret basketball game in the 1940s in the Jim Crow South that broke racial barriers and led to the style of play that we recognize today.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:04:02
An Attorney’s Perspective on the Shift in American Politics (Part 2)
3/15/2025
Our guest is Amy Owen AKA Pineapple Lawyer – a civil rights attorney who has worked several major cases alongside Ben Crump as well as many high-profile clients.
In the second half of the show, we reflect on some recent stories of discrimination, and ask Amy Owen to weigh in.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:22:58
Hip Hop Activist Roqy Tyraid on Protesting a Hostile Regime
3/8/2025
Our guest is Jacob Raiford AKA Roqy Tyraid—Hip Hop activist and community organizer.
In the first half of the show, we discuss a police shooting event in San Diego and what protests could look like under this current political administration. We also discuss other easy ways for people to get involved in politically shaping communities around the country.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:27:02
The Inconsistencies in Trump’s Address to Congress (Part 2)
3/8/2025
Our guest is Jacob Raiford AKA Roqy Tyraid—Hip Hop activist and community organizer.
In the second half of the show, we break down Trump’s address to congress and point out many of the inconsistencies in his administration. We also reassess what life will be like under this president.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:22:58
The Honorable Judge Cody Williams on the Judicial Arm of Government (Part 1)
3/1/2025
Our guest is The Honorable Judge Cody Williams—a former Council member for the City of Phoenix and a Justice of the Peace for Maricopa County. He served as a council member for 8 years and as a judge for 15 years.
In the first half of the show, we discuss local politics and the roles of city governments. We also discuss the differences between state and federal courts and how far their jurisdictions reach.
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:27:02