Today, in the wake of the 2024 election, we reflect on politics and democracy from some different angles. First, NPQ’s Rebekah Barber sat down with Rukia Lumumba, co-director of the Movement for Black Lives’ Electoral Justice Project, to talk about building political power for, by, and with the Black community in this election season and beyond. The presidential campaigns understandably take up most of the oxygen in the political room during general elections. But the local level is still where we interact most immediately with democracy, and mayors are often at the helm. Speaking of—many local jurisdictions have taken a stand on the conflict in Gaza where the federal government has not. Cultural and education institutions have also largely opposed divestment from Israel in the face of student protests. One reason might be their ties to the military and defense industry. Finally, we want to hear your pitches for our spring 2025 magazine issue on how women of color in the South are reclaiming space. Less than 60 years after Black women in the South gained the protected right to vote, Vice President Kamala Harris became the first woman of color to accept a major party’s nomination for president. That is a fact we are carrying into 2025, with love, courage, and pride.