Civic Cipher
Civic Cipher is a weekly radio show created to foster allyship for social justice. Hosted by Ramses Ja and Q. Ward, this show is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown voices, allowing them to engage directly with diverse populations across the country. Self-determination is critical to securing a future free of oppressive systems, and Civic Cipher exists to facilitate discussions toward this end. Furthermore, Civic Cipher seeks to inform non-POC allies who may not be privy to these types of discussions and optics. Finally, Civic Cipher seeks to provide long-form conversations in spaces where there is often a lack of significant resources, potent dialogue, or the necessary engagement for facilitating a healthy and productive civil discourse. FB/Instagram/Fanbase: @civiccipher
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 27 minutes
- Episodes
- 518
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Civic Cipher 010921 ft. Elijah Banx & Tessa Farrell
In this episode, we deal with the storming of the US Capitol. We draw the obvious connections to the BLM protests of 2020 and examine the privilege that comes from the Trump su…
Civic Cipher 010221 ft. Ramses Ja and Gonzo
In this episode, we discuss how prisons are no only failing Black and Brown communities but society at large. Our guest spent several years as an inmate at various jails and pr…
Civic Cipher 122620 ft. Ramses Ja & Ian Vasquez
In our last episode of 2020, We thought it would be appropriate to recap the events of this crazy year! A businessman and an everyman joins the show today to share his perspect…
Civic Cipher 121920 The Roots of Mistrust for American Healthcare by Black Folks
Today we discuss the the lack of trust that many Black people have towards the vaccination for COVID-19. We also discuss some of the roots of this mistrust going back to the fi…
121220 Challenging Harmful Myths ft. Freshmaker
In this episode, Freshmaker joins us again as we begin our 'mythbusting' and present facts to challenge some stereotypes that have persistently and adversely affected Black and…
Civic Cipher 120520 The Importance of Black Commerce ft. Freshmaker
In today's episode, we discuss the idea behind the "Circulate the Bag" initiative with respect to supporting Black-Owned businesses. We discuss why Black commerce is important …
Civic Cipher 112820 ft. Ramses Ja and Q. Ward
Lots of folks celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and use him as the example that Black folks should follow to create change and to further the cause. Many of them, however do…
Civic Cipher 112120 ft. Ramses Ja & Tessa Farrell
In this episode, Tessa Farrell joins the show to discuss her experience as a White liberal woman in the aftermath of a a hard-fought and contested election. Because of the soci…
Civic Cipher 111420 ft. Ramses Ja & Q. Ward
With the election over, we take the time to dissect what got us to this point, celebrate the accomplishments of our Vice President-Elect, and look toward the future as we find …
Civic Cipher 110620 ft. Ramses Ja & Q Ward
In this episode we discuss how so many people could still have voted for Trump and how we as a people could take this second round of votes even more personally than for his fi…
Civic Cipher 103120 News Stories that Matter to Social Justice Seekers
In this episode, we discuss a viral video from Scottsdale, AZ where an Asian man declares himself to be racist and calls Scottsdale a "N*gger-Free Zone!" We also discuss Ice Cu…
Civic Cipher 102420 ft. Thadd Shade
In this episode, we discuss the overt discrimination against and humiliation of many Black people in the nightlife arena. From the obstacles to establishing an entertainment co…
Civic Cipher 101720 The Prejudices Built into Policing
In this episode, Q. Ward and I talk about an experience we had getting pulled over and out of our car by the police in Mississippi. We illustrate that there are certain prejudi…
Civic Cipher 101020 Roqy Tyraid and Tessa Farrell
Roqy Tyraid is one of the most powerful voices from the streets of the southwest. His organization We Rising is responsible for galvanizing thousands of people and creating som…
Civic Cipher 100320 Janelle Wood and Erma Johnson
In this episode, Janelle Wood from The Black Mother's Forum and Erma Johnson--mother of Dion Johnson--sit down with me to discuss a number of things. Erma shares stories of Dio…
Civic Cipher 092620 Dr. Camilla Westenberg
This week, my guest is Dr. Camilla Westenberg! She came to discuss the importance of voting, voter suppression, and some of the traumatic discrimination she recalls experiencin…
Civic Cipher 091920 ft. Alejandra Pablos
Today's guest is Alejandra Pablos from the #keepalefree campaign! This longstanding freedom fighter speaks on her time in an ICE prison, criminal justice reform, reproductive j…
091220 ft. Zarra from BLM
In this episode, we discuss a few things about Black Lives Matter, including the idea of defunding the police, what BLM is doing for Hispanic folks and other POC and marginaliz…