Podcasts

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joins Center Maryland's The Lobby at the Winter Maryland Association of Counties Conference to discuss what's happening in Montgomery County!

Meredith R. Weisel is the Regional Director of ADL Washington, D.C. Meredith is one of the most sought-after voices against extremism in the DMV - and across the country. Meredith is an experienced attorney and government relations professional who has spent decades engaged in public policy and community issues in the Greater Washington area. Weisel discusses the recent Rally for Israel in Washington, DC with her teenage daughter, the war on Israel, global antisemitism, and her first march for human rights for Jews in 1987.

Delegate Malcolm Ruff (D) is a West Baltimore Delegate sworn in by Governor Wes Moore in July of 2023 and serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee. Ruff is a seasoned civil rights attorney working with Murphy, Falcon & Murphy in the prized One South Street building located in burgeoning Downtown Baltimore. Malcolm is named for civil rights icon Malcolm X and is a protege of America’s greatest trial attorney, Hon. Billy Murphy, Jr. Ruff is the son of a Gilman educator, a graduate of The Gilman School, Duke University, and the University of Baltimore School of Law - where he was one of only six students nationwide selected for the NAACP-Kellogg's Law Fellow program. The former Duke football star brought national attention and justice to the family of University of Maryland athlete Jordan McNair and formed the Jordan McNair Foundation, to educate the public, athletic programs, and students on a national level about topics such as heat exhaustion, concussions, mental health and nutrition.

Howard Libit is the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. In this episode of The Lobby, Howard talks about the 25th anniversary of the Hon. Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel, along with the powerful success of Maryland / Israel relations and cooperative business development. In addition, Damian and Howard discuss the terrorist atrocities committed against Israeli families and the war with the terrorist organization Hamas. Howard Libit is a former spokesperson and strategist for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. He was previously a top editor at The Baltimore Sun, co-founded the news site Center Maryland, and was a principal at KO Public Affairs leading high intensity campaigns and delivering media strategy.

Candace Dodson-Reed joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby podcast to discuss her work with heralded UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby, life in Downtown Columbia, Maryland, and serving as the chair of Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC owns Merriweather Post Pavilion).

Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan joins The Lobby to discuss her efforts to update Maryland's 911 system. She also talks about being the first elected official outside of Baltimore to endorse Gov. Wes Moore when he was at 1% in the polls. Senator Kagan represents District 17 in the Maryland General Assembly, serves as Vice Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, is active in the music community, and a nationally ranked Scrabble player.

Maryland business development expert Melanie Miller returns to The Lobby to discuss MACO2023, Maryland economic development, Maryland Politics & more. Melanie is the daughter of former Senate President Mike Miller, and Founder of Miller Partnership Consultants, LLC.