Former Biden Cabinet Member Launches Campaign; Sesame Street Icon “Maria” Defends Diversity Initiatives

Deb Haaland is the first former member of President Biden’s cabinet to jump back into campaign politics. If elected Governor of New Mexico, she would be the first Native American woman to be elected governor in the United States. She joins Victor to discuss her campaign, and react to the mass firings of federal workers at the Department of the Interior, which she led during the Biden Administration   The Trump Administration’s crusade against diversity programs is impacting everything from the Department of Education to, now, PBS. Diversity and education advocate Sonia Manzano, who millions recognize as "Maria" on Sesame Street, joins Victor to share her concerns.   Venezuelan-American voters helped return President Trump to the White House. But now some say they feel blindsided by the president's move to end a program that gave migrants from Venezuela temporary protection from deportation. Rafael Pineyro is a member of the city council in Doral, Florida and joins Victor to discuss what his city is doing to try and get the Trump Administration to change course.   The “Becoming Everything You Are Conference”, previously called the Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference, attracts top science and engineering students from high schools and colleges. For years it has been a recruiting hub for the U.S. military and defense contractors. Not this year. Victor discusses what changed with the founder of the conference, Tyrone Taborn.   And later, class is in session at HillmanTok University. Professor Dr. Leah Barlow explains to Victor how a social media post meant for a class of 35 students - got seen millions of times -- and sparked a “Digital HBCU” movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices