The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement: Recent Episodes
Simmy Hundal
The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless. 'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March: Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings. Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor. Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
We'll march for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement at 5pm EST the Tuesday after the first Monday of every month, counting down to Election Tuesday each election year (i.e. 2020, 2022, etc.). Our work is not over at 5 =)
'Documented Dreamers' AKA 'Visa Dreamers' immigrate to the US as children under the protection of their parents' visa, however they face self-deportation at the age of 21 with no reasonable pathway to citizenship. Listen to the panel that has first-hand experience with this dilemma in the American Immigration system: Vrinda Punj, a Software Engineer & Documented Dreamer; Dr. Nidhi Trehan, a political sociologist residing; and Dip Patel, a clinical pharmacist, Documented Dreamer, and Founder of 'Improve the Dream's.
Vrinda Punj
Vrinda works as a Software Engineer in Massachusetts. In her spare time, she is the Massachusetts State Liaison for Improve the Dream, a grassroots youth led advocacy group that fights for a group of children known as Documented Dreamers. Vrinda herself is a documented dreamer, who is working at the federal level to permanently end this immigration system issue that causes 200,000 children to fall through the cracks.
Dr. Nidhi Trehan
Dr. Trehan, a political sociologist and long-term Texan, holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She is an affiliated Senior Research Fellow of the Central European University in Budapest/Vienna, and Fellow, Institute of Social Sciences in New Delhi. She was a Visiting Scholar at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin from 2018-2020. Active in the areas of human rights, social policy, and education as a practitioner and academic, she publishes widely on the subjects of human rights and NGOs/social movements, with a focus on the Romani communities of Europe. She is co-editor of the Policy Press short Romani Communities and Transformative Change: A New Social Europe (2021). Her publications can be found at www.academia.edu.
Dip Patel
Dip is a clinical pharmacist in Illinois. He was born in India and brought to the U.S. at age 9 as an E2 visa dependent from Canada in 2005. He is also the founder of Improve The Dream, a youth-led organization that supports and advocates for Documented Dreamers.
Since 2017, Improve The Dream has advocated to permanently end aging out for Documented Dreamers. They are striving to connect and strengthen a national community of young people to improve the journey in navigating the immigration system for themselves and their families through engagement, education, resources, and research. Their vision is that everyone who grows up in the United States should have a clear opportunity to become an American citizen, pursue their passions, and fully contribute to our country. Improve The Dream’s community and advocacy efforts have also been featured in ABC News, CNN, NY Times, NBC News, Fox News and other national and international publications.
'US-China Relations' are explored, with a close look at the center of current tensions between the superpowers: Taiwan. The panel includes Dr. Jerome F. Keating, a political activist and retired professor of the National Taipei University, and Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文), a regularly contributing columnist for Taiwan News and journalism entrepreneur.
Dr. Jerome F. Keating
Dr. Keating is an educator, trainer, consultant and writer who lives in Taipei, Taiwan. With diverse degrees and certificates from universities such as Michigan, Notre Dame, and Syracuse, he has worked as a professor, human resource specialist, and consultant as well as technology transfer manager on the Taipei and Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit projects. After retiring from National Taipei University, he continues to be active in many fields including writing and political commentary.
Courtney Donovan Smith (石東文)
Donovan is a regularly contributing columnist for Taiwan News, the central Taiwan correspondent for ICRT FM100 Radio News, co-publisher of Compass Magazine, co-founder of Taiwan Report (report.tw), former chair of the Taichung American Chamber of Commerce and a writer featured in many publications. Twitter: @donovan_smith
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'Climate Action' in this June 2022 Webinar, the 5th of the second season of the March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE). The panel includes Prof. Victor Flatt, the Dwight Olds Chair in Law and Co-Director of the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Center at the University of Houston, and Mille Marie Isaksen Lillemoen, the Project Manager of ONS 2022 Conference Young Committee.
About MUCPE:
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a nonpartisan, themed podcast series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
Prof. Victor Flatt
Prof. Flatt is the Dwight Olds Chair in Law and Co-Director of the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Center at the University of Houston. He is a recognized expert on environmental law, climate law, and energy law, and the intersection of these areas. His research focuses on environmental legislation and enforcement, with particular expertise in the Clean Air Act, NEPA, and Climate.
Mille Marie Isaksen Lillemoen
Mille is the 22 year old Project Manager of ONS Young 2022 on a Secondment from DNO Norge. ONS is one of the world’s largest energy conferences taking place in Stavanger, Norway, and 850 speakers including Elon Musk is set to attend when the conference goes live in the end of August. She has worked with DNO ASA in Oslo since 2018 and started in her role at ONS in Stavanger in 2019, where she is working to bring young voices forward at ONS 2022. Besides her role in ONS she finished a Bachelor in Political Science at the University of Stavanger in May 2022, exploring the paradox of Norwegian oil and gas legacy and climate ambitions.
MUCPE
Website: https://mucpe.transistor.fm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BLwuDlZoickPat3TgHHKz?si=6ec951711a0f4172
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'Uniting States of America' in this July 2020 program. The diverse guest speakers shared their perspectives on their experiences, history, and current events.
The 3 panelists included:
- Jon "Gator" Holley, Hip Hop Artist & Producer based in Atlanta, GA
- Brian Halstead, Real Estate Investor based in Miami, FL
- Shahriar Etemadi, Urban Planner based in Columbia, MD
About MUCPE
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
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MUCPE Sites
Website: https://mucpe.transistor.fm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BLwuDlZoickPat3TgHHKz?si=6ec951711a0f4172
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'Gun Safety in America' in this June 2022 Webinar, the 4th of the second season of the March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE). The guest speaker, Jane Kelso Winter, shares her personal story and her long engagement in the space as the leader of Mom's Demand Action's Northwest Group of Greater Houston and a survivor of gun violence.
About MUCPE:
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
About Guest Speaker, Jane Kelso Winter
Jane has been involved in working in the gun violence prevention movement since 1987. For 11 years, she led the grassroots organizing network/survivor outreach for a national gun violence prevention organization. After moving to Houston in 1995, she volunteered forTexans Against Gun Violence. In March 2010, her 21 year old son, Kelsey, then a Junior at the University of Houston took his own life with an easily accessible handgun he had bought for self-protection. Reactivating her passion, she has been a volunteer Local Group Lead for a suburban Houston Moms Demand for Gun Sense in America since 2017. Moms Demand is a local grassroots organization with 10 million supporters working to end the daily gun violence that plagues this country.
Mom's Demand Action Website: https://momsdemandaction.org/. Text EVENTS to 64433 to find their local happenings.
Referenced Articles
Checks and Balance Podcast from The Economist: https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2022/05/27/what-will-it-take-for-america-to-solve-its-gun-problem
Brietbart Opinion Article: https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2022/06/11/mark-w-smith-hey-conservatives-dont-let-republicans-negotiate-your-gun-rights-away/
MUCPE
Website: https://mucpe.transistor.fm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BLwuDlZoickPat3TgHHKz?si=6ec951711a0f4172
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'Bringing Us Together When We're Apart' in this May 2020 Panel Webinar with the special guest speakers, Sara Hamilton, Oscar Talero, and Chad Klintzman. This is the inaugural episode of the March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE).
About MUCPE:
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
We'll march for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement at 5pm EST the Tuesday after the first Monday of every month, counting down to Election Tuesday each election year (i.e. 2020, 2022, etc.). Our work is not over at 5 =)
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
More About Sara Hamilton:
Sara is a litigation and employment lawyer by profession, and helps businesses of all sizes achieve their best legal outcomes. But more interestingly, she is a lover of Atlantic Station, unapologetic music nerd, news and current events junkie, avid blackjack player, and BuHi fan. From her husband, who works at Emory Healthcare, she refuses to ride any type of electric scooter, given the number of leg and wrists breaks they cause per day.
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Like MUCPE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe
Check out our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-LGYADDNiM6Zm6hpKK3mMQ
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'What Should Organizations Do?' in this April 2022 Webinar, the third of the second season of the March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE). The 2 panelists, Zack Godfrey and Nathan A. Stuck, analyze the process of productively identifying and tackling critical societal challenges at the organizational level.
About MUCPE:
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
We'll march for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement at 5pm EST the Tuesday after the first Monday of every month, counting down to Election Tuesday each election year (i.e. 2020, 2022, etc.). Our work is not over at 5 =)
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
About Zack Godfrey, MBA:
Zack Godfrey's mission is to Build Better Businesses for a Better South. Zack currently works with Benevity, a certified B Corporation, helping small to medium-sized businesses in the South with their employee engagement and CSR initiatives. Prior to Benevity, Zack was a consultant supporting the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic. A lifelong resident of Georgia, Zack is passionate about helping others build purpose-driven careers and driving systemic change through individual action.
About Nathan A. Stuck, MBA:
Experienced Director with a demonstrated history of affecting organizational change, implementing solutions, and driving results. Jack of all trades well versed in Business Planning, Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Operations Management, Sales, Marketing, Team Building, and Market Research. Passionate about giving back and all things B Corp. Diverse work experience and well rounded professional with an MBA focused in Marketing and Consulting from The University of Georgia - Terry College of Business.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanastuck/
Follow MUCPE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'We're Not Gonna Take It', an analysis of actions by groups of people against unacceptable circumstances, in this February 2022 Webinar with the special guest speaker, Darrell Malone Jr. This is the first of the second season of the March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE).
Malone is an experienced technologist that is leveraging tools to support the underprivileged with regards to the American Criminal Justice System Courts & Law Enforcement.
About MUCPE:
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
We'll march for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement at 5pm EST the Tuesday after the first Monday of every month, counting down to Election Tuesday each election year (i.e. 2020, 2022, etc.). Our work is not over at 5 =)
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
More About Darrell:
Darrell Malone Jr. is a fintech engineer and technology activist from Houston, Texas. In 2017, Darrell founded the Tubman Project; an effort to develop advanced technology for public defenders. He organized a series of hackathons and worked to inspire others to support various initiatives. The involved projects and challenges ranged from leveraging computer vision in paralegal work to providing secure alibis using a client’s digital footprint. In the process, he joined a community of civic hackers and activists.
This year Darrell is launching the National Police Data Collaborative, an organization devoted to monitoring the conduct of law enforcement officers nationwide. Through open-source technology, shared data standards, and a decentralized method of distribution, he hopes the NPDC will be able to unite police accountability activists into a singular force for transparency and justice.
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Zoom Registration for the next MUCPE, themed 'What Should I do?':
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VekoFWkcQCGPE-ltlcQtcA
Like MUCPE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe
Host, Simmy Hundal, explores the theme 'What Should I Do?' in this March 2022 Webinar, the second of the second season of the March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE). The 2 panelists, Dr. Teta Banks and Grant Hill, analyze the process of productively identifying and tackling critical societal challenges.
Our thoughts go out to the victims of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict. We hope that through highlighting these important topics, we'll be able to encourage positive change.
About MUCPE:
"The March for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement (MUCPE) is a monthly, themed webinar series that brings diverse leaders to talk through issues of the day in an effort to build better bridges between communities.
I've been restless about the direction that I've felt myself & other Americans moving in: we're divided, antagonistic, & averse to politics. I'd wanted to do something to change but I'd felt powerless.
'Marching' - or outwardly publicizing my discontent with the status quo - is a way for me to express a desire to change & listen to others.
We have an opportunity - we are, after all, the bosses of our elected officials. Therefore, I feel we have the responsibility to try to lead our country and the world to a better place together.
The values of this March:
Unity: Unify around creating a better tomorrow. All are welcome regardless of race, religion, nationality or political leanings.
Civility: Listen with respect, leading to Learning and Loving your neighbor.
Political Engagement: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
We'll march for Unity, Civility, & Political Engagement at 5pm EST the Tuesday after the first Monday of every month, counting down to Election Tuesday each election year (i.e. 2020, 2022, etc.). Our work is not over at 5 =)
Let's make a dent in divisiveness!"
- Simmy
About Dr. Teta Banks:
The Honorable Dr. Teta V. Banks, Ed.D. is a diplomat, human rights advocate, & educator. Originally from Liberia, she grew up in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Dr. Victoria Banks & Rev. Dr. A.A. Banks, Jr. civil rights colleagues of Dr. King & Mrs. Rosa Parks. She is President of the International Forum, Inc., is also the Immediate Past Chair of the United Nations Association of the USA, & is the first person of African descent to hold this position in the 30,000 membership organization’s 70-year history. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of United Nations Associations consisting of 94 countries, & is the first woman of African descent to be elected to the position. Dr. Banks accompanied the U.N. Secretary-General on his mission tour for the refugee crisis, & was a U.S. delegate to the Secretary-General’s U.N. Special Session on Human Trafficking. She is the USA representative to the UN Security Council’s President's briefing with WFUNA.
About Grant Hill:
Grant Hill is a mission driven Career and Business Strategist with extensive experience in investments, talent development and supporting women and entrepreneurs from countries around the world redefine and succeed in their careers. Grant launched Global Impact Life to support you take bold, practical action during this unprecedented time by bringing new ways of thinking and innovative, practical steps to pivot to meaningful work.
Follow MUCPE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themucpe