Closing the Gap

Co-hosts Adriana Maria and Tania explore diverse forms of protest, from marches and vigils to calling legislators and creating art builds. They also delve into more extreme actions like hunger strikes, showcasing the range of ways dedicated activists push for change. But protest isn't just for full-time activists; after listening, you'll be invited to consider which types of actions resonate with your own skills, talents, and passions. Social justice movements thrive and succeed when we all play our part, so what's your role? Resources Know Your Rights | Protesters' Rights | ACLU How to Protest Safely 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action  Timeline of the nationwide protest movement that began at Columbia University  Los Angeles Public Safety Committee Ordinance- Council File: 24-0910  Types of Protests Marches Vigils Calling/emailing legislators Boycotts Sit ins Definitions Land Back: a campaign or movement to by and for Indigenous peoples who seek to reestablish Indigenous sovereignty, with political and economic control of their ancestral lands.  Self-immolation: the act of setting oneself on fire. It is mostly done for political or religious reasons, often as a form of protest. It is considered one of the most extreme methods of protest. Collective liberation: a concept that recognizes the interconnected nature of oppression and the need for collaborative efforts to create meaningful change. If you liked this episode, please rate and review the podcast on your favorite streaming platform. We appreciate your feedback.

Carol Viana (she/her) is a passionate advocate for climate justice in Brazil and beyond. Her expertise in environmental engineering and sustainable farming practices led her to work with international organizations including the Rainforest Alliance and the United Nations. Her work with these influential global entities highlights her dedication to meaningful climate solutions. In this discussion, Carol openly shares her journey, revealing the inspirations that drive her commitment to climate optimism and hope. Resources Sign up for Carol's newsletter The Chloride Free Foundation YOUNGO: Youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Rainforest Alliance UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) Definitions Carbon markets: a trading scheme  designed for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In a carbon market, carbon credits are sold as permits that allow the purchaser to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas Agroforestry: land use management system that combines trees with farming, or agriculture and forestry  Climate justice: a type of environmental justice that focuses on the unequal impacts of climate change on marginalized communities Global South / Global North: The Global North refers to the wealthier, more industrialized countries mostly, but not all, situated in the Northern Hemisphere that wield the majority of global political power. The Global South refers to countries less industrialized, with limited access to resources, that experience more extreme poverty and that wield less political power globally, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. This drastic divide stems from centuries of colonialism, imperialism, and exploitation. Climate migration: a type of forced migration driven by sudden or gradual climate-exacerbated disasters, such as extreme weather, environmental degradation, or sea-level rise. Hurricane Milton: an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone which became the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico Land grabbing: the act of seizing land in an unlawful manner Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @closingthegappod ✨  We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Aura Vasquez (she/her) is an Afro-Latina Colombian immigrant, community leader, organizer, and justice-oriented policy expert. She has worked extensively with the Los Angeles City Council, impacting legislation across Los Angeles county and the broader state of California. Aura's efforts towards a more equitable and environmentally mindful society have led to successful campaigns, including the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. She has partnered with dozens of organizations and hundreds of individuals, demonstrating solidarity for causes that she sees as ‘interconnected,' including affordable housing, renewable energy, immigration reform, amongst many more.  Recently, she began consulting companies to advance environmental regulations in the business sector. No matter what sector, campaign, or cause Aura is advocating for, she does so in a way that's accessible to the public so everyone's voice is heard.  We at Closing the Gap podcast acknowledge that Los Angeles lies on unceded Tongva land.

Brandon Rothrock (he/him) is a queer geographer supporting fellow LGBTQ+ environmentalists as they navigate their careers. Through his research and advocacy, he advances environmental justice for marginalized communities. Brandon's experience in higher education, sustainability issues, and energy policy demonstrates his commitment to a better world for everyone, especially those historically discriminated against. He uses his connections and knowledge to help advance social change while embracing his identity and communities.  Brandon is also a Board Member for OUT for Sustainability (OUT4S), a U.S.-based non-profit that “co-creates a platform for environmental justice and climate resilience by and for the LGBTQIA+ community.” Connect with Brandon Rothrock Website Resources  Support Out 4 Sustainability Website Instagram Brandon's Affiliations Environmental Defense Fund Agents of Change in Environmental Justice Fellowship Resources Just Solutions' Post on the LGBTQ's vulnerability to climate change Black Faces, White Spaces by Carolyn Finney Fire & Flood DocuSeries Can't Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines Definitions LGBTQIA+: stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and the + symbol stands for other individuals who identify outside of sexual and gender norms  Environmental Justice: a movement to address environmental injustices, including air pollution and land use, that disproportionately harm historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color and LGBTQIIA+ Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @closingthegappod ✨  We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

When we understand what brought us to where we are today, we can decide where to go from here. In this episode, co-hosts Tania Roa + Adriana Maria Medina discuss social justice events in 2023 that led to collective action. As we reflect, we can learn from them and determine our priorities for 2024. It's a new year, but our struggles are the same. *Please note: some of the events we discuss include violence, police brutality, and Palestine. Resources for events mentioned in this episode, and organizations supporting the causes mentioned, are below. Also, as always, scroll to find definitions.  U.S. News Former Officers Charged in Tyre Nichols' Death East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Tortuguita Shot Protecting Atlanta Forest Willow Project for Alaska Campaign U.S. Organizations to Support Color of Change Stop Cop City Alaska Conservation Foundation International News Plastic Crisis and Great Pacific Garbage Patch Panama's High Court Stops Canadian Mining Attempt  Ecuador Stops Oil Drilling in Amazon Latest on Palestine and South Africa Sues Israel Crisis in Sudan Democratic Republic of Congo Calls for Peace International Organizations to Support 4Ocean Amazon Watch Palestine Children's Relief Fund International Rescue Committee Definitions Biodiversity: short for biological diversity; it is the variety of life on Earth and includes the variety of genetic, species, and ecosystem levels Occupation: when one group or country takes control over another territory through force, and the invading group establishes its own law in the now occupied region Zionism: a nationalist movement that emerged in the 19th century with a goal of establishing a homeland, protected by law, for Jewish people in Palestine - a region roughly corresponding to the Land of Israel in Jewish tradition Anti Semitism: hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews Genocide: the intentional destruction of a national, ethnic, or racial group in whole or in part Follow us on Instagram ✨  We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Chi Bailey, lover of God and high quality clothing, expresses his spirituality and fashion taste through his brand Chi qc™. All pieces are upcycled, hand crafted, and sweatshop free, speaking out against the harmful impacts of fast fashion on people and the planet. Low quality clothes produced in mass volumes degrade the environment, mistreat garment workers, and encourage consumers to buy more clothes than they need. Chi shows us another way of living that respects God's creation.  Chi is of African and Korean descent, and his cultural upbringing also plays a role in his creativity. Chi qc™ inspires us to be more childlike through its Born Again Garments that incorporates colorful, playful designs with deep storytelling. Closing the Gap recognizes that Charlotte, North Carolina is unceded land of the Cheraw Indigenous people.  Support Chi qc™ Website Instagram YouTube Definitions Fast fashion - mass-producing trending clothes at a low cost to incentivize consumers to buy quickly, often characterized with cheap quality, environmental pollution, and severely low wages Upcycling- the process of transforming unwanted or used materials into new products Slow fashion - an aspect of sustainable fashion and a concept describing the opposite to fast fashion, advocating for clothing manufacturing and consumption that respects people, environment and animals Fast Fashion Articles Slow Fashion: For Your Wallet and the Planet (page 4) Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact The Best Small Businesses in Los Angeles Work Labor Conditions and Rights Articles  Garment Industry Coal Mining Chocolate Industry Slow fashion brands mentioned Reformation Industry of All Nations Follow us on Instagram ✨  We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Closing the Gap co-hosts Tania Roa and Adriana Medina welcome you back to the podcast with a new season: Season 2. To start off the season, Tania discusses her summer living in Colombia and Adriana shares her first impressions of her new home in New York City, unceded land of the Lenape or Lenapehoking people. Some themes arose from these major moves including authenticity, leaning into change, and being an active participant in one's community. Resources Palenque's Famous Band: ⁠Kombilesa Mí⁠ ⁠Dr. Shamell Bell of Black Lives Matter⁠ New York City Events Rest in Power O'Shae Sibley Eric Adams on NYC Migrants Eric Adams Investment on NYPD Robot Dogs NYC Flooding Shutting Down Subways Definitions Generational trauma - psychological and emotional wounds that have accumulated over time and transferred to future generations Gentrification - the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses Voguing - a type of dance that imitates the characteristic poses struck by a model on a runway (history of voguing) Liberation - freedom from oppression, or freedom from limits on thought or behavior Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ ✨  We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com. Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

It's our last episode of Season 1! Tania & Adriana take time to reflect on the past season and celebrate the beautiful, progress-oriented community we've all built - that includes you! We then discuss something very close to our hearts: what it's like to live in the United States when you lack certain powers or privileges, and when you possess others. The mixed emotions including frustration, despair, and the urge to take action are ones many people experience. By sharing our perspectives, we hope to inspire you to share your story. It's time for us minorities, or marginalized/underrepresented people, to take up space and show up for our communities. Definitions: Reparations - making amends through financial compensation or other means to try to right wrongs Organizations to support:  Regional-Based Organizations ⁠Little Miss Flint  Trans Defense Fund Los Angeles National-Based Organizations United We Dream Indigenous Peoples Movement Movement for Black Lives Dear Asian Youth Follow us on Instagram ✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Meet our first international guest: Heizal Patricia Nagginda of Uganda. Heizal founded Climate Operation to create a place where all people can learn about the climate crisis, how it impacts them, and what they can do to address it. Climate Operation began as a regional hub and is now an international space that has reached thousands of people. To promote creativity and accessibility, Climate Operation uses different mediums to get the message across, including tool kits and comic books. In all of her work, Heizal highlights the connections between climate and social justice, such as the effects weather extremes have on people who contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions, yet are feeling the worst impacts of climate change. Climate Operation: Website Climate Education Directory 11th Hour Climate Education Comic Book Follow Climate Operation on Instagram Other Resources: Tania's article on climate migration Tania & Heizal's chat on Indigenous voices in conservation How to take climate action venn diagram Follow us on Instagram ✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Gentrification impacts communities around the world. It can lead to increased cost of living, displacement of long-term residents, and discriminatory behavior. We analyze gentrification trends in México City, Puerto Vallarta, and California and use them as examples of a larger issue. To allocate resources fairly, policies and practices should be created and implemented by local communities rather than foreign investors, who tend to prioritize profit over people's well-being. As travelers and as immigrants, we acknowledge that by us moving to new areas we influence the local culture, and we can do so in a way without uprooting the lives of those who were there before us. ("Gente" means "people" in Spanish) At Closing the Gap we acknowledge that the above-mentioned places lie on Indigenous land. Speak up for Iran: Mohsen Shekari Middle East Matters Action Items Resources: Community Land & Investment Trusts Explained Rent control groups: @housingjustice4all, @streetwatchla, @latenats, @oaklandtenatsunion Definitions: Gentrification - the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses Digital Nomad - people who travel while working remotely using technology and the internet Follow us on Instagram ✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Students Ahsha Jones and Chloe Serrano founded Melanated Youth, a BIPOC youth-led coalition that uplifts members of the community who need it most. The coalition provides resources and organizes demonstrations to end inequality on all fronts through mutual aids, protests, and discourse. Ahsha and Chloe are based in Orange County, California, but they plan to expand the coalition's impact across the nation. This action-led group relies on the support of fellow community members who volunteer, donate, or participate in Melanated Youth's events. Their anti-oppression efforts are "by the people, for the people." Melanated Youth and Closing the Gap acknowledge that Orange County lies on unceded Tongva land. Melanated Youth Resources: Website Social Media - Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn Donate

Sergio Maldonado is a Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student at Purdue University from Pomona, California. His research examines therapeutic experiences of the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated community to find culturally-relevant practices that provide support during life after incarceration. As a therapist in training, Sergio has worked with people from a variety of backgrounds, including rural communities, refugees, and factory workers. Sergio advocates for more accessibility to therapy, especially for low-income and other underserved communities, and speaks out against practices in the psychological field that perpetuate biases and prevent therapists from fully serving their clients. Sergio's Work: Sergio's LinkedIn Interview by HOMIE HEART Check Partner organizations: McNair Scholars Program Prison Education Project Follow us on Instagram ✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

People of Latin American descent can identify as Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx, Latine, or Chicano/a/x. Others prefer to identify as Indigenous as a way to reclaim their roots. Others identify according to their nationality(ies), such as Colombian-American or Mexican-American, to speak out against terms that group multiple countries and cultures together. Identifying under multiple hierarchical systems, and according to two or more different cultures, can be confusing, but also powering. Many of these terms aren't perfect, but they all express the desire for members of the Latin diaspora to organize, mobilize, and advocate for their rights. When we learn about the history of each term, we grow appreciation and understanding for the struggle to find community and belonging. Follow us on Instagram ✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Meet Veronica Castillo and Miguel Venegas of Our Paper Trails. Four years ago, this power couple decided to transform their lifestyle and live in a van to reach their traveling and financial goals (they just paid off their student loans - woot woot!). Joining the vanlife and nomadic communities changed how Vero & Miguel approach life choices, from what they purchase to how they become better allies. Even in the outdoors, representation, inclusivity, and diversity is important to ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome. Vero & Miguel are transparent about their struggles with vanlife, how the nomadic community only recently began embracing more diversity, and their undeterred dedication to get out on the road. Although it hasn't always been easy, Our Paper Trails proves we can all fulfill our dreams with the right amount of risk, effort, and support. Follow Our Paper Trails: Our Paper Trails Instagram Our Paper Trails YouTube Resources: Diversify Vanlife Website Diversify Vanlife on Instagram Definitions: Nomadic - a community without fixed habitation made up of people who regularly move to another area Minimalism - a tool to rid yourself of life's excess in favor of focusing on what's important Follow us on Instagram ✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Pride month is every month! Sabine Maxine Lopez, founder of A Tribe Called Queer, discusses how her Instagram page grew to a brand and now a nonprofit organization. This platform creates and shares resources for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ (see definition below) communities including mental health services, book clubs, clothing swaps, legal advice, wellness events, and much more. As a small team, Sabine and Melba are limited in their reach and resource offerings. To grow its team and impact, A Tribe Called Queer needs funding, like so many other nonprofits, and that's where the power of community comes in. Support this incredible organization and their life-changing work today by giving them a follow, donating to their fundraiser, and getting involved (links below!). A Tribe Called Queer Links: Website Instagram Twitter Fundraiser Partner Links: Peace Over Violence Oasis Legal Services ProjectQ Definitions: LGBTQIA2S+ Rainbow washing Follow us on Instagram✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

American scholar and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" in 1989 as a way to describe what Black women are subjected to. Recently, this theory has received mainstream attention as people from other marginalized communities, from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and people who identify as LGBTQ+, are using it to describe what they experience. In this episode, we discuss why we appreciate this term and often use it to discuss social justice issues, how it has helped us see the world differently, and its contribution to our own lives. Resources: Kimberlé Crenshaw: The urgency of intersectionality Follow Kimberlé on Instagram Organizations to support: Stop Asian Hate Black Lives Matter The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ mental health) Voto Latino Follow us on Instagram✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Meet Warren "Dzign" Dickson, hip hop artist from Watts, California who combines his love for music, community, and the environment through education and advocacy. Warren highlights the connections between different social causes, specifically, racial justice, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection, to emphasize the need for all of us to join together to create change. As someone who has witnessed local wildlife struggle to adapt to urban areas, and communities of color lack the resources they need to survive and thrive, Warren knows firsthand the urgency of addressing environmental and social causes simultaneously. Through his music, Warren uses hip hop culture as a way to relate to others while spreading awareness for all of the above. Warren's Work: 3rd Rock Hip Hop 3rd Rock Hip Hop's Instagram If I Was Wild (Music Video) Community Partners: Sisters of Watts Still Waters Network Environmental Partners: Sierra Club National Wildlife Federation Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Follow us on Instagram✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

In light of Russia's attack on Ukraine, Tania & Adriana discuss the impacts war has on citizens. Ukraine is gaining a lot of international attention, and while we are glad the media and governments are responding to this attack, we can't help but question why this situation is receiving such rapid responses. Refugees in other countries, including Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan, have also needed international help for years, and have yet to receive the same amount of aid as Ukrainians did in a matter of days. By addressing these unfair international policies, and by advocating for all people forced to flee their homes, we hope to spread compassion and understanding. Organizations to support: Choose Love Refugees International Refuge Point International Refugee Assistance Project Follow us on Instagram✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)

Hi everyone! Welcome to our first episode! Meet your hosts Tania and Adriana. We talk about our Latinx backgrounds, immigrant parents, and what inspired us to create this podcast on Closing the Gap(s) in society through social justice, healing, and taking action. Follow us on Instagram✨ We want to hear from you! Email us at closingthegappod@gmail.com Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles) Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)