A candid conversation on access, advocacy, and the unfinished work of democracy!

At a TIME when questions surrounding access, participation, and trust in the democratic process continue to shape our national conversation, this episode of GOT TIME with Christopher John takes a thoughtful and poignant look at the realities of voting in America. From voter suppression to voter fatigue, this dialogue explores the challenges and responsibilities tied to civic engagement and what it truly means to participate in democracy today.

Joining Christopher John at the table are two respected leaders in civic advocacy, Gwen McFarlin and David Whitehead, for a candid and unscripted conversation centered on registered voters and the power of informed participation.

Gwen McFarlin is a trailblazer whose career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to civil rights, voting rights, and social justice. In 1995, she made history as the first African American elected to the Springfield Township Board of Trustees, ushering in a new era of representation and trusted leadership. She continued breaking barriers as the first African American woman to serve as Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party and later as the first African American to chair the Hamilton County Board of Elections. Through each of these milestones, McFarlin has not only expanded access to leadership but has also created pathways for future generations to engage in public service and civic life.

David Whitehead is a dedicated advocate for civil rights and community empowerment, currently serving as President of the Cincinnati NAACP and Political Action Chair for the Ohio NAACP. With a strong background in voter engagement and economic advocacy, he brings both strategic insight and grassroots experience to the conversation. In addition, his role as Voter Empowerment Chair for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons underscores his commitment to mobilizing communities and strengthening democratic participation.

Together, this episode invites listeners to reflect, question, and recommit to the importance of voting, not just as a right, but as an enduring responsibility.

The story of wealth in the U.S. is one of access and opportunity, as well as the narratives, agency, ownership, and the power to shape the future. In this episode, we dive into a conversation exploring how history, leadership, tangible assets, and global perspective intersect to expand possibility.

Grounded in economic inclusion and empowerment, this dialogue explores wealth-building not as an abstract concept, but as a practical, tangible strategy. We examine how access to assets, property, precious metals, businesses, and knowledge to create leverage across generations.

At the heart of the discussion is Numismatics Noir™, a Calibrated Lens initiative that reframes coin collecting as both cultural storytelling and asset strategy. Through its four pillars of reshaping narratives around money, elevating the hidden figures of U.S. currency, positioning tangible assets as tools of agency, and confronting the racial wealth gap; Numismatics Noir™ blends financial literacy, history, and precious metals education into an accessible pathway for ownership.

From coins to property, from global insight to local impact, this episode challenges listeners to think differently about wealth. Not as something distant or inherited by default, but as something intentional, studied, and built.

Jen Ingram, a visionary, business leader, strategist, author, artist, and founder of Numismatics Noir™, joins Christopher John for a multidimensional conversation. Embodying servant leadership and sincere humanity, Jen shares how leading from alignment rather than performance has shaped her work as a corporate executive and entrepreneur across industries including real estate development, philanthropy, healthcare, higher education, and numismatics.

Having visited all seven continents, Jen is among the ranks of less than 1% of people in the work, she brings a global lens to conversations about culture, experience, access, and opportunity. Travel has sharpened her curiosity, deepened her cultural humility, and broadened her understanding of how different societies define value, ownership, and legacy. From global markets to local communities, she reflects on how perspective reshapes possibility and how humility strengthens leadership.

Classism shapes more than status, it drives inequality, fuels hypocrisy, and reinforces systems of exclusion rooted in race, gender, and access. In this episode, C.J. unpacks how class operates in everyday life while illuminating the legacies of Zora Neale Hurston, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Mary McLeod Bethune, challenging us to rethink power, privilege, and equity.

In honor of Women’s History Month, he’s joined by LaNesha McCoy Debardelaben, Executive Director of BlackPast.org. A visionary leader and former CEO of the Northwest African American Museum, LaNesha shares insights on culture, leadership, and the transformative work of preserving Black history.

https://blackpast.org/