Category: Interview

This summer, Texas lawmakers passed new voting laws.  In this episode, WiseUp TX podcast host Punam Kaji interviews Louis Bedford, a voting rights attorney. He explains the impact of the changes in voting laws. Also learn about redistricting (the drawing of maps), a process that only happens every 10 years. Hear about how these changes to the voting process in Texas could impact communities of color like the South Asian community. WiseUp TX is a...

Hear Fawaz Bham talk about his work with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program assisting people in need during the Covid-19 Crisis and DFWROS mentoring a refugee family from Afghanistan. Fawaz is a real-estate and capital finance attorney focusing on commercial real-estate transactions at Hunton Andrews Kurth. Fawaz serves on the firm’s pro-bono committee and devotes time to several pro-bono efforts such as launching and leading the Dallas Attorney Volunteer Program’s virtual legal clinic platform, leading...

Alexander Cornwallis is running to be on the school board of Prosper Independent School Board.  Prosper is a suburb in North Dallas, and Alexander decided to run to represent the South Asian community on the board and also bring attention to the need for a greater focus on technology in education and STEM for all students.  Prosper ISD and other municipal elections take place on May 1. You can learn more about him here. WiseUp TX...

Cydnei Drake is running for school board in Carrolton Farmers Branch Independent School District.  This School District covers a number of DFW suburbs, including Carrolton, Farmers Branch and some of Addison, Coppell, Dallas, and Irving.  In this episode, Cydnei talks about the need for equity and and cultural competency in school leadership and her decision to run to address that issue.  CFBISD elections are on May 1, 2021, along with the other municipal elections.  Do...

Diana Saleh wants to bring a fresh perspective to Arlington City Council as a young professional, a Palestinian American, and a Muslim woman. Diana discusses the rich diversity of the populous city of Arlington, TX. She shares her desire to make the city more equitable, starting with creating an accessible campaign through language translation. Arlington City Council elections are on May 1, 2021. Early voting has already begun and runs through April 27. You can...

Rafat Jilani has worked with children for 30 years in schools as a special education teacher and a school psychologist.  Now she is running for Fort Bend Independent School District, Trustee Position 6. Fort Bend’s population is widely diverse, including a significant South Asian population. Jilani believes the board should reflect the diversity of the District. She talks about how she is suited for the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic because of her background...

Brody Mulligan is running for School Board Trustee in the Hurst Euless Bedford School District (HEB ISD). This area in the mid-cities of DFW has a substantial South Asian community, and Brody reached out to the WiseUp TX Podcast to talk to our followers. He has experience as an educator and a founder of a non-profit about government policy reform. In this episode, he shares how he would improve education by expanding pre-K, school lunches,...

Dr. Sana Syed is running for Dallas City Council District 2.  She talks about her desire to tackle challenging issues like homelessness. We discuss her love for the city of Dallas and the district she is running to represent.  She is a South Asian American and Muslim woman excited to engage in the political process and hopefully bring people with her along the way.  Dr. Sana Syed is a corporate executive, a former spokesperson for...

Kamala Devi Harris will be the first woman Vice President of the United States of America.  She is also a woman of color – the daughter of a Jamaican immigrant (father) and Indian immigrant (mother).  This historic moment marks many firsts, and the WiseUp TX Podcast Team shares their thoughts and feelings about the first South Asian American Vice President of the United States.  Tune in! WiseUp TX is a non-partisan, non-profit and does not...

WiseUp TX podcast team members discuss the results from key races in Texas, including the U.S. Congressional Races, the U.S. Senate Race, and the critical Texas State Legislature races!  Election day proved that Republicans maintain a stronghold in Texas politics, particularly on the state level when you look at the Texas House, Texas Senate, and Texas Supreme Court.  The team also discusses the drawing of district maps – an important event that only happens once...