Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Meet the reformer: Justin Giboney, who wants to put more Gospel into politics

Justin Giboney of the And Campaign

The And Campaign's Justin Giboney, at a Georgetown University forum in October on the intersection of faith, race and politics in the coming campaign.

Georgetown University

In the 13 years since earning his law degree at Vanderbilt, where he played football as an undergraduate, Justin Giboney has been an attorney and political strategist in Atlanta. Two years ago he founded the And Campaign, which uses the logo (&) and describes itself as a coalition of urban Christians seeking to infuse American political culture with the Gospel. His answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

What's the tweet-length description of your organization?

A Christian civic organization that helps believers engage politics more faithfully through a framework that emphasizes the compassion and conviction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Describe your very first civic engagement.

My father took me up to the Colorado state Capitol to watch the legislative process.


What was your biggest professional triumph?

Being invited to give the keynote speech at the Capitol for this year's Council of Christian Colleges and Universities conference.

And your most disappointing setback?

Losing a referendum to fund the Atlanta regions public transportation system in 2012. It not only set back the region, but made me question my interest and place in politics.

How does your identity influence the way you go about your work?

I always try to think about how those who paved the way for me would conduct themselves if they were given the opportunities that I have. What would they say in speeches to certain audiences? What decisions would they make under certain pressures? And how can I make sure I don't squander the legacy of the Civil Rights generation?

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Identify your core before you enter a new space or venture. Know what you're trying to accomplish and what lines you'll never cross.

Create a new flavor for Ben & Jerry's.

Vintage Vanilla on Vanilla

The West Wing or Veep?

Boardwalk Empire. (I never watched West Wing or Veep)

What's the last thing you do on your phone at night?

Listen to classic sermons.

What is your deepest, darkest secret?

I deal with the pain of having no musical talent by watching every music or musician documentary I can find.

Read More

What Democracy Promised Us — and What We Got Instead
a flag on a pole
Photo by Don Starkey on Unsplash

What Democracy Promised Us — and What We Got Instead

The Fulcrum is committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists. To learn about the many NextGen initiatives we are leading, click HERE.

We asked Lluvia Chavez, a Mexican-American bilingual journalist dedicated to amplifying the stories of underrepresented communities and a cohort member with the Fulcrum Fellowship, to share her thoughts on what democracy means to her and her perspective on its current health.

Keep ReadingShow less
Government by “the consent of the governed”

Government by “the consent of the governed”

Government by “The Consent of the Governed”

The Expand Democracy 5: A Supreme Court out of balance, collaborative legislative rules, a public primary, a faster way to tally ranked choice voting elections, and timely links.

Welcome to the latest edition of The Expand Democracy 5. From Rob Richie, with Eveline Dowling and with Juniper Shelley’s assistance, we highlight timely links and stories about democracy at the local, national, and global levels. Today's stories include:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tax Changes in the Federal Budget Bill Are a Disaster for Many American Families

A family together in their kitchen.

Getty Images, The Good Brigade

Tax Changes in the Federal Budget Bill Are a Disaster for Many American Families

Anyone raising children in the U.S. knows that it’s expensive. Many jobs – especially the service jobs that do essential work caring for our children and elders, bringing us food, cleaning our office buildings, and so much more – don’t pay enough to cover basic needs. From rising grocery costs to unaffordable housing, it’s becoming harder and harder for American families to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, if our leaders don’t step up, it will soon get even more difficult for families. That’s because the budget reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, now under consideration by the House of Representatives, includes critical tax changes that will leave many children, their families, and, ultimately, our communities in the lurch.

Keep ReadingShow less