🎙️ Radical Roots — Episode 48: The Weight of Leadership: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, ICE, & What Real Representation Looks Like

🎙️ Radical Roots — Episode 48: The Weight of Leadership: ICE, CMS & What Real Representation Looks LikeTheme: What does real leadership look like in a time of fear? We explore how rising voices like Liz Monterrey’s can reshape public trust, equity, and protection—especially for immigrant communities navigating institutional threats.📍 Live from Union County, North Carolina! Radical Roots is a bold and unapologetic podcast where we dig deep into politics, community empowerment, and social change through the lens of history and lived experience. From national policies to local grassroots efforts, we expose hypocrisy, challenge propaganda, and amplify voices fighting for progress.🔥 This Week’s Focus:1. Introducing Liz Monterrey — A New Kind of VoiceMeet the first Latina elected at-large to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board (CMS), sworn in December 2023.🎓 With a background in business, marketing, finance, and employment law—and fluency in both English and Spanish—Liz brings lived and professional experience to a board under pressure.🛑 As CMS enters a period of structural and emotional stress, her leadership matters now more than ever.2. ICE on Campus: Safety or Surveillance?Recent CMS meetings have been rocked by parental outrage over reports of ICE activity in school parking lots and lobbies—areas where raids are technically permitted.🚨 Liz Monterrey has spoken out, walking a careful line between affirming protection and resisting federal policies that weaponize fear.💬 She’s also expressed emotional vulnerability, questioning whether she will run again because of the psychological toll of advocating for immigrant families.3. The $2.5 Billion Bond & Equity AccountabilityMonterrey ran on a platform of equity—pushing for transparency and better resource allocation to underserved communities.📊 The recently passed $2.5B CMS bond is now a test: Will historically ignored students, especially Latino and immigrant families, actually see change?4. Scaling Impact vs. Self-DoubtLiz’s public reflections on power, confusion, and her own limits as a board member reveal something rare:⚖️ Honest, vulnerable leadership that admits the system might not be enough—but refuses to stay silent.This moment demands more leaders willing to name that tension.🧭 Closing Reflection:Leadership is not just about power. It’s about care, courage, and clarity in the face of institutional fear.We ask you to reflect:👉 Have you ever felt protected—or exposed—by leadership?🎧 New episodes drop weekly.💬 Like, comment, and share to join the movement.📲 Follow us on social media @RadicalRootsPodcast📍 #GuardiansOrGatekeepers #LizMonterrey #CMS #RadicalRoots #ImmigrationJustice #EquityInEducation #LeadershipUnderFire #UnionCounty