co(sin)e series:our radical roles
True citizenship is found in the courage to speak truth to power and hold leaders accountable.
Frederick Douglass
In this episode of Radicals for Good, we start our co(sin)e series - a series of roundtable discussions designed to solve the equation for building community power through voting, decision making, and civic participation. This roundtable includes, Joanna Whaley, the Democratic nominee for Michigan House of Representatives and if elected, the first openly trans woman legislator; Imani Foster, an activist fighting for education justice in Detroit and communication director for 482Forward; Parish Halsell, a Detroit-based storyteller and the voice behind Pardon Me TV!; and Brianna Bryant, a artist and activist in Detroit.
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Who’s in this episode?
JOANNA WHALEY
Democratic nominee for Michigan House
Joanna Whaley is the Democratic nominee for the Michigan House of Representatives in the SE Michigan area. Joanna will be Michigan's first openly trans woman legislator if elected in November. Before coming out, she was an evangelical pastor and survived 15 years of conversion therapy, and now is a voice to combat extreme uses of religion in lawmaking.
imani foster
Organizer and Communications Director at 482Forward
Imani Foster is a native Detroiter who started her career in activism when she was 16 years old, fighting for education justice in Detroit. She is a proud graduate of Renaissance high school, and furthered her education at Northwestern University. Imani graduated with a double-major Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies & Journalism. Her commitment to focusing on creating and amplifying Black stories led her to continue the fight at 482Forward, an education justice organization, as the organization’s communications director.
parish halsell
Host of Pardon Me TV!
Parish Halsell is the voice behind Pardon Me TV!, a cultural conversation platform rooted in Detroit and built on intentional dialogue. Known for creating spaces where community members, marginalized peoples, and changemakers can speak freely and fully, Parish blends media, moderation, and community-building into one seamless experience. With a sharp wit and a grounded presence, Parish curates conversations that feel both intimate and expansive; incorporating equal parts storytelling, truth-telling, and celebration. At Pardon Me TV!, expect thoughtful dialogue, unexpected laughs, and moments that linger long after the mic drops.
brianna bryant
Artist and Activist
Brianna Bryant has been an artist and activist in Detroit Michigan for 25 years. Her expertise falls within uplifting Black and Brown Detroiter’s liberation and joy in each project and organizing efforts. For her intersections of social justice, art, and digital storytelling she has been featured in the Detroit Institute of Arts, TED Countdown, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and in Forbes 30 Under 30 2019 Summit.
Shayla Zimmerman
Founder & Host of Radicals for Good
Shayla is a Detroit-based community organizer, storyteller, and activist whose work centers community power, collective care, and everyday acts of resistance. She currently leads for good co., a consulting firm for values-aligned organizations. She started community organizing at 15 years old, since then she’s led local and national climate resilience and water justice initiatives and built grassroots emergency response efforts on Detroit’s East Side. Previously, she was producer and co-host of Michigan-focused conversations on United Way’s Virtual Town Halls.
Learn More and Take ActioN
Donate to or volunteer with Joanna's campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joannawhaley .
Watch more on pardonme.tv
Volunteer with 482Forward: https://www.482forward.org/
Additional Sources
