NYC for Youth in collaboration with MNN - Manhattan Neighborhood Network will be presenting a series of Podcasts on Civic
Engagement and its impact. The Podcasts will be air on the MNN - Manhattan Neighborhood Network and YouTube. These
Podcasts are for educational purposes only.
Civic engagement is the engine that drives democracy forward. When individuals actively participate in community decisions, they
gain the power to influence policies that affect daily life. Throughout history, engaged communities have been the catalyst for
momentous social progress.
From voting rights to environmental protection, communities that mobilize their collective voice create more equitable outcomes and
responsive institutions.
Democracy requires active, informed citizens who participate in governance through voting, public discourse, and
community involvement.
Higher civic engagement builds resilient communities with stronger social bonds and better public services.
Local volunteering, organizing, and advocacy directly shape neighborhood quality of life and policy outcomes.
Every action whether voting, volunteering, or speaking up helps strengthen your city. Together, we can ensure NYC's future
reflects the true voices of all its people. Your participation matters more than you know.
Share your perspective at public forums
Donate your time to community causes
Build relationships with neighbors
NYC for Youth in collaboration with MNN Manhattan Neighborhood Network will be presenting a series of podcasts on Civil
Engagement and its impact. The Podcasts are hosted by Former Assemblywoman Inez Dickens and are for educational purposes only.
Tune in to hear diverse voices discuss how community participation shapes our city's future.
The podcasts will be broadcast on the MNN channel and are also available on NYC For Youth YouTube channel. Check local listings for specific
air times and subscription options.
Each episode features youth activists, community leaders, and policy experts discussing various aspects of civic
engagement in New York City's unique environment
Intimate conversations with poets, activists, and community leaders who share personal insights on civic responsibility and social change.
Each episode reveals how personal experiences inform public action, demonstrating how individual stories can empower entire communities.
Thought-provoking dialogues on justice, policy reform, and grassroots activism that challenge listeners to reconsider their civic
role
🟦 Why ranked-choice voting matters for NYC communities
🟪 History of ranked-choice voting in NYC: what led to it and how it works
🟦 How ranked-choice voting impacts local races (City Council, Assembly)
🟪 The potential pitfalls and confusion among voters
🟦 How to vote smarter with ranked-choice
🟣 Congress vs. City Council
🟣Assembly vs. State Senate
🟣 Judges and District Attorneys
🟪 What each office controls
🟪 How these roles affect daily life
🟪 Case example: The Harlem District Attorney's influence
🟥 Where to start: eligibility & resources
🟥Community roots and credibility
🟥Fundraising and endorsements
🟥 Filing and campaigning 101
🟥 Inez Dickens journey to office
🟥 Common myths and roadblocks
🟥 What's a city charter?
🟥 Who really controls city budget decisions 3. How bills become local laws
🟥 NYC's power map: who reports to who
🟥 Oversight & accountability (IGs, COIB, etc.)
🟥 Real-world wins: Inez on community-led policy shifts
🔴The fight for the vote in Harlem.
🔴Charles Rangel and Colin Powell: political pioneers.
🔴Church organizing and civic leadership.
🔴Civil rights legacy and modern voter suppression.
🔴Black political clubs and activism
🔴How to build on Harlem's legacy
🟥Why jury service matters.
🟥How juries are selected in NYC.
🟥The Westchester connection in federal cases
🟥Jury diversity: why it's essential.
🟥Avoiding civic burnout.
🟥Inez Dickens on justice reform and accountability.
🔴What is a community board?
🔴How members are chosen?
🔴What power do boards actually have?
🔴Inez's role in community board reform.
🔴How to get involved.
🔴How to influence decisions without being on the board.
🟥Why volunteer roles matter in politics.
🟥Getting young people into leadership.
🟥How to ensure Black and Brown voices are heard.
🟥Inez's tips on mobilizing community volunteers.
🟥The politics of appointment.
🟥Balancing volunteer roles with paid political work.
🟥What is Area Median Income (AMI)?
🟥How AMI affects Harlem housing.
🟥The federal/local housing policy link.
🟥Inclusionary zoning and displacement.
🟥Development deals: the good and the bad.
🟥Inez Dickens on negotiating community benefits
🔴Developers vs. residents: the tug-of-war.
🔴What role does city council play in land use?
🔴How ULURP works.
🔴The Harlem rezoning battle .
🔴Inez's housing deal playbook.
🔴Empowering tenants through legislation.
🟥How to mentor new civic leaders.
🟥Passing the baton: lessons from Harlem elders 3. Schools as civic training grounds.
🟥Why unions matter in politics.
🟥Building coalitions across generations.
🟥Final reflections from Inez Dickens
These Civil Engagement Podcasts are for Educational Purposes only.