The Context is a podcast about democracy—its past, present and future—brought to you by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, hosted by senior program officer and historian Alex Lovit.

Citizenship is a perpetual debate in America. Martha S. Jones discusses how the exclusion of women and people of color from the early Republic led them to develop their own political cultures and collective institutions. As a result, marginalized people, particularly Black women, reframed politics in a way that was more aligned with America’s democratic ideals than any other political vision at the time. Elevating their voices and visions of democracy helps clarify who we have been and who we hope to be. 

By Johnnetta Betsch Cole 

"Is this not a time, indeed the time, for honest and courageous conversations about how the promise of the Brown decision can become a reality?" asks Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Kettering senior fellow and former Spelman College president. In her blog post, Cole reflects on her experience in a segregated school and first hearing of the landmark Brown decision. She then proposes four steps to take to realize an educational system that is the bedrock of an inclusive and democratic society.

The Charles F. Kettering Foundation is thrilled to celebrate an incredible honor bestowed on one of our senior fellows, Maureen O’Connor. The retired chief justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio was recognized with the prestigious Brennan Legacy Award, from the Brennan Center for Justice, for her relentless efforts to combat gerrymandering and uphold the principles of democracy in Ohio. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to both the legal community and the broader social fabric through their commitment to justice and democracy.