On this episode of Civic Encounter, Georgia Lewis and Ava Sanchez speak with CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar about her journey from aspiring firefighter to EMT, Marine, and the second youngest state senator in California. Senator Menjivar shares how growing up in the San Fernando Valley and serving on the front lines shaped her leadership and commitment to public safety.

The conversation explores her legislative work on health and consumer protections, including SB 20 to prevent silicosis and SB 68 requiring food allergen disclosures, as well as broader issues like child care affordability, public transportation, and the impact of immigration raids on local communities.

Senator Menjivar closes with a powerful message for young people: don’t wait to lead—organize, advocate, and create change now.

For the FINAL episode of Civic Encounter Season 2, hosts Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ speak with Dr. Jocelyn Duarte, Executive Director of the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), about her journey from growing up in Pico-Union to leading one of LA’s most impactful immigrant advocacy organizations.

They discuss her roots in education, SALEF’s 30th anniversary, its support for families impacted by recent ICE raids, and the launch of the ALMA app. Dr. Duarte also shares her perspective on community building, mentorship, and what gives her hope for the future of Los Angeles.

Tune in to hear her powerful story and vision for strengthening immigrant communities.

Stay engaged with SALEF's work here on their Instagram!

In this episode of Civic Encounter, hosts Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ share heartfelt conversation with Deja Charles-Tomkins on advocating for inclusive and accessible outdoors spaces for people of color, along with her experiences at the Mono Lake Committee and the Mono Arts Council. Whether it's discussing her passion for history and environmentalism, her career in conservation, or hosting her very own podcast, Black In Wild, Deja remains unwavering in her dedication to foster support for marginalized groups in their exploration of nature.

To hear more from Deja, tune into Black In Wild, a dialogue focusing on underrepresented stories in outdoors spaces.

In this episode of Civic Encounter, Ava Sanchez and Simi Situ sit down with Kamy Akhavan, the Managing Director of USC’s Center for the Political Future (CPF) and a widely respected expert on bringing people together despite their differences. Whether cultivating understanding through his past role as CEO of ProCon.org, the nation’s leading source of nonpartisan research on controversial issues, or cultivating community as a leader and lecturer at the University of Southern California, Kamy has dedicated his life to bridging divides. Kamy discusses the importance of curiosity in a polarized time, key strategies for engaging with people you disagree with, and the value of community.

To hear more from Kamy, listen to the Center for the Political Future’s podcast, “Let’s Find Common Ground.”

In this powerful episode of Civic Encounter, hosts Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ sit down with Christy Camara—Hanford, California native—for a deeply personal conversation about motherhood, loss, and the fight to prevent gun violence. Christy opens up about how her role as a mother has transformed, the process of writing her book Can I Still Be Funny After My Son’s Murder?, and how she finds strength and healing amidst unimaginable grief.

Background:

In 2020, Christy’s 10-year-old son, Wyland Gomes, was murdered by his father after a Kings County court failed to transmit a restraining order to the California Department of Justice. Since then, Christy has pursued justice through both the legal system and public advocacy. In 2024, the San Francisco Superior Court ruled that the California DOJ violated the Public Records Act and unlawfully withheld evidence, holding the state accountable for failing to enforce a protective order.

Christy’s advocacy led to the introduction of Wyland’s Law (AB 1363), legislation that would require California courts and the DOJ to track, verify, and publicly report compliance with restraining and protective order transmissions.

At JCI, we’ve been honored to support Christy’s efforts, amplifying her story, securing media coverage, and connecting this local tragedy to a broader, statewide movement. From press conferences at San Francisco City Hall to coverage in the LA Times, ABC30, and the Hanford Sentinel, this campaign exemplifies how storytelling and civic action can spark real change.

Ways to Support Christy:

📘 Purchase her book: Can I Still Be Funny After My Son’s Murder?
🎉 Celebrate Wyland’s birthday at the Hanford Civic Center Park Farmer’s Market on Thursday, August 28th, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. In honor of Wyland’s life, all rides will be free for children!

On this episode of Civic Encounter, we are joined by Aaron Blank, CEO of the Fearey Agency—one of the leading strategic communications firms in the Pacific Northwest.

We first connected with Aaron through a potential partnership with our firm, and it was a pleasure to speak with someone whose journey into PR has been anything but conventional. A former radio journalist, Aaron shared how his storytelling roots shaped his approach to public relations and leadership today.

We dive into his early experiments in digital media and how those bold moves laid the foundation for Fearey’s reputation for transparency, innovation, and purpose-driven work. Aaron also opens up about his leadership philosophy, emphasizing coaching over managing, the value of mentorship, and how he’s navigating the rise of AI in our industry.

If you’re looking for inspiration and a reminder of why storytelling still matters in this fast-changing field, you won’t want to miss this episode.

In this episode of Civic Encounter, Georgia Lewis and Simi Situ speak with Helen Torres, CEO of HOPE (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality), about her inspiring journey from volunteer to statewide leader. Helen discusses the impact of HOPE’s powerful leadership pipeline, the urgency of addressing maternal health disparities through cross-racial advocacy, and the findings of the 2025 California Equity in Maternal Health Report (see below). She also shares heartfelt advice for young leaders—especially women of color—and her bold vision for a more just and equitable future for all communities.

The full maternal health equity report discussed can be accessed at Latinas.org, HOPE’s website.

In this episode of Civic Encounter, Dr. Allissa Richardson of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism discusses her work founding the Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab, focused on preserving the legacies of black media makers. Richardson also discusses the path that led her to studying communication, her first book about the role of smartphones in Black witnessing and social justice, and the Lab’s Second Draft Project, which seeks to correct the historical record for people who have been misrepresented or maligned in mainstream media – using AI interactive video to tell the stories of modern figures such as Lora King (Rodney King’s daughter and Philonise Floyd (Brother of George Floyd).