Washington Game Changers with Lauri Hennessey features leaders who give back to our community, drive innovative solutions, and inspire others in making our state more equitable and just. This podcast is a one-on-one conversation with these powerful leaders in a time when we need to hear about more good in the world.
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Dr. Tonya Drake of Western Governors University
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Dr. Tonya Drake, Chancellor and Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. Dr. Drake talks about higher education, equity, and the importance of lifelong learning.
March 3, 2023
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Author Karen Pruett on Media and Amanda Knox
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Karen Pruett, who just co-wrote a book about Amanda Knox, a Puget Sound woman you may have heard of when she was accused of murder in Italy more than a decade ago. Karen’s new book, Trial By Liar, looks at the injustice of Knox’s imprisonment, the news media, our tendency to gossip and share bad information on social media, and the inspiring positive outlook of Amanda Knox today.
November 10, 2022
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Cindy Black of Fix Democracy First
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Cindy Black, Executive Director of Fix Democracy First, an organization that is involved in everything from election reform to voter education for young people, from recruiting women to run for office to getting dark money out of politics.
September 16, 2022
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Olgy Diaz of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Olgy Diaz, a longtime lobbyist and advocate who is President of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington. Olgy talks about getting women of color trained and elected, working as a lobbyist during the pandemic, and how to still have hope in a challenging time.
June 14, 2022
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Joe Hunter, Jr. and Tony Allison, founders of RARE (Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity)
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Joe Hunter, Jr. and Tony Allison. They were classmates at Roosevelt High School fifty years ago. But looking back all of these years later, they and many of their peers realized we have not progressed in truly creating schools that are equitable. They created RARE (Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity) to give parents and community members everywhere – not just at Roosevelt – a chance to face these difficult issues together, creating a documentary and participating in discussions such as this one.
May 13, 2022
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Nicky Wilks and Alex Craighead, founders of Journeymen
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Nicky Wilks and Alex Craighead, founders of Journeymen. Journeymen cultivates transformational experiences for boys and men through nature-based rites of passage, mentorship, training, and community events. They discuss helping kids detox from social media, the challenges facing boys today, and what Journeymen does to give boys a connection through nature.
April 8, 2022
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Regina Malveaux of the Washington State Women’s Commission
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Regina Malveaux, Director of the Washington State Women’s Commission. Lauri and Regina discuss the Women’s Commission, childhood poverty, early learning for kids, and International Women’s Day on March 8th.
February 24, 2022
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Frank Abe on the Day of Remembrance
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Frank Abe, author of the graphic novel We Hereby Refuse and longtime advocate for Japanese-Americans. He shares about the upcoming Day of Remembrance and a presentation he will be giving February 19, 2022 at 4pm on Vashon Island about the day President Roosevelt directed the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
January 28, 2022
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Angela Griffin, Executive Director of Launch
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Angela Griffin, Executive Director of Launch and new member of the Washington state Board of Education. Angela talks about the critical role early learning plays in a child’s life, her own passion for racial equity, and how organizations can better support people of color in leadership roles.
December 14, 2021
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Nick Merriam, CEO and Co-Founder of sea-citi
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Nick Merriam, the CEO and Co-Founder of sea-citi, where tech and the community collaborate for results. Nick’s background is in social impact. At sea.citi, he works with tech companies and tech workers to build an inclusive, thriving, and equitable community. Lauri and Nick discuss homelessness in Seattle, the future of telecommuting, tech workers engaging more in civic discourse, and disproportionate youth access to technology during the pandemic.
November 12, 2021
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State Representative Tana Senn
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Washington state Representative Tana Senn from Mercer Island (D-41). They discuss the Fair Start for Kids Act – the comprehensive early learning measure passed by the legislature last session, Rep. Senn’s work on gender pay equity and gun control, and more.
October 15, 2021
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Sage Walund and Lauren Seaton from NAMI WA
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Sage Walund and Lauren Seaton from the Washington state chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Sage and Lauren cover everything from the stigma around mental illness to how youth are faring during the pandemic, as well as the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on youth.
September 16, 2021
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Read NAMI’s Ending The Silence materials, Part 1 and Part 2
Leah Griffin, Advocate for Victims of Sexual Assault
Here at League of Education Voters, we talk a lot about advocacy. In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Leah Griffin, who tells an inspiring story of advocacy. Leah took her own experience with sexual assault six years ago and turned it into a powerful story of advocacy, taking on the system, and making true and lasting change in protection for victims of sexual assault.
August 12, 2021
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Critical Race Theory Scholar Edwin Lindo
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Edwin Lindo, a Critical Race Theory scholar at the University of Washington. Professor Lindo addresses the controversy around Critical Race Theory, clarifying what it is and also how incredibly important it is that students learn about our true history. You can find more about him on Twitter @edwinlindo.
July 12, 2021
Book recommendations from Estelita’s Library:
- Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic – Critical Race Theory: An Introduction
- Paulo Freire – Pedagogy of the Oppressed
- Howard Zinn – The People’s History of the United States
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Seattle Leader Tim Burgess
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey interviews Tim Burgess, who has been a policy officer, a nonprofit manager, an advertising executive, a Seattle City Councilmember, and the Mayor of Seattle. Lauri and Tim talk about his own observations about racial equity while he was a police officer in West Seattle, his passion for early learning, and why he fiercely believes in public service.
May 14, 2021
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Estela Ortega of El Centro de la Raza
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Estela Ortega, the longtime Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza, a backbone of the community in Seattle. Estela talks about how she has stayed centered during the pandemic, how her organization has fared during this time and about her late husband Roberto Maestas, and their early work in creating El Centro. She also talks about the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on students of color.
El Centro de la Raza is located in the old Beacon Hill School in Seattle, creating a gathering place for Beloved Community. Read more about El Centro’s historic journey.
April 16, 2021
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Sean Goode of Choose 180
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey speaks with Sean Goode of Choose 180 about how they truly make a difference in the lives of kids and give an alternative to what many call the “school-to-prison pipeline,” particularly for kids of color. Sean’s organization involves the kids in making their own decisions, making commitments, and holding them accountable when they make mistakes. Choose 180 also asks us to examine how our society treats mistakes in youth and how that treatment often is disproportionate. You will be inspired by the work Sean and others do at Choose 180. Sean was inspired by the experience his own brother encountered with the juvenile justice system. Find out more about Choose 180 and Sean Goode at www.choose180.org.
March 12, 2021
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Marty Hartman of Mary’s Place
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Marty Hartman, Executive Director of Mary’s Place, an organization founded on the principle that no one’s child should sleep outside. Mary’s Place provides safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children, and families on their journey out of homelessness.
Marty Hartman talks about homelessness in Seattle, the impact of COVID-19 on families living in homelessness, and what you may not know about families who experience homelessness. Marty also shares inspirational stories about families doing their best with their kids during this tough time of socially-distanced learning and living through the pandemic.
February 12, 2021
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Dr. Ben Danielson
In this episode, League of Education Voters former CEO Lauri Hennessey talks with Dr. Ben Danielson, formerly the Director of the Odessa Brown Clinic at Seattle Children’s and now with UW Medicine, about his personal and career journey, and his work to advance racial equity.
January 26, 2021
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