podcast family
Thomas aims to use his unique background to engage and educate the public on racial justice and criminal legal system issues, and how America’s responses to those issues foreshadow and illustrate larger issues for US society as a whole. Thomas' goal is to bring his experiences and background to the public conversations around the increasingly obvious need for fundamental restructuring of US racial policies, especially its criminal legal systems, which reforms require a fundamental restructuring of American society, from the roots up.
Thomas combines history, humor, and current events to communicate about the continuing danger of US white supremacy and racism in our legal and political systems. He hopes that by joining the public discussion, he can provide tools to disarm opponents of reform, while also arming new generations of leaders with guidance, to avoid America’s historical cycles of boom and bust (and bust, and bust) in racial and civil rights reforms.
Although his work has varied widely, his basic goals for reforming the American Criminal Legal Systems—and his basic cure for the endemic diseases of capitalism and racism—have always been the same: more power and control for people who have too little of it and less power and control for those who have too much.
thomas giovanni; host and executive Producer
As a Black man, father, and advocate for racial justice, Thomas Giovanni has profoundly engaged with the American Criminal Legal System from various impactful angles. He began as a Public Defender with the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. For nearly a decade, he defended primarily Black and Latino clients in cases that ranged from minor infractions, like marijuana possession, to severe charges, including homicide.
Transitioning from direct legal representation to policy, Thomas embraced a broader role in systemic reform. He served as Counsel to the Justice Program and Director of the Community-Oriented Defender Network at the Brennan Center for Justice. In this capacity, his advocacy helped advance the national discourse on criminal justice policy reform, establishing him as a thought leader in this vital area.
From 2014 to 2022, Thomas’ career trajectory saw him in several pivotal roles within the New York City Law Department. As an executive and leader, he held critical leadership roles, including Executive for Government Policy, the agency’s first ever Chief of Staff, and Executive for the Family Court Division, among others. He used his expertise and leadership to help lead the City in time when the City finally acknowledged liability in landmark racial justice cases and accepted the need for federal monitoring of key law enforcement agencies. Notably, he played a crucial role in the Central Park 5 settlement, settled Khalief Browder’s case on the City’s behalf, and led the city's legal strategy in Federal Monitorships, Floyd v. City of New York (the Stop & Frisk Case), and Nunez v. City of New York (Rikers Island/Department of Corrections abuses). Also, as the son of renowned poet and Civil Rights activist Nikki Giovanni, Thomas had a unique upbringing that exposed him to the struggle for justice in America from a young age, which also greatly influences his approach to reform work.
jorge navia; co-host, producer
Jorge Navia is a dynamic professional whose career seamlessly spans the realms of law, the arts, and social advocacy. Born and raised in Colombia and now based in New York for over eight years, Jorge brings a richly diverse perspective to all his endeavors. With a foundation in law and a J.D. degree, he has dedicated himself to justice and advocacy, particularly for those on the margins of society.
Jorge's journey into the arts, marked by his graduation from the New York Film Academy as an actor, led him to explore storytelling in various forms. Since 2018, he has been actively involved in production, using his creative talents to give life to stories that matter. His work as a producer is driven by a deep commitment to amplifying often unheard voices, aiming to bring diverse narratives to the forefront through compelling and thought-provoking content.
Over the past five years, Jorge's dedication to social change has manifested through his extensive work with underserved and marginalized communities. Serving as an advocate, counselor, educator, and social worker, he has focused on empowering the immigrant community's youth and fostering opportunities for growth and resilience.
As a politically independent thinker, Jorge is motivated by an unwavering quest for truth and a keen interest in understanding the historical context behind current global dynamics. This intellectual curiosity underpins his role as a producer for "The End of America with Thomas Giovanni," where he seeks to delve into critical issues shaping our times, encouraging meaningful dialogue and reflection.
Jorge Navia envisions his continued work in production and social advocacy as a platform to bridge cultural and social divides, making a lasting impact by shining a light on stories that inspire, challenge, and bring about change. His goal is not just to create content but to contribute to a more informed, empathetic, and connected world.
nana dufie ( co-host, co-producer )
Nana Dufie, co-host and co-producer of "The End of America with Thomas Giovanni," is a driven multimedia producer, audio engineer, and the founder of Soundeazy, a sound production company dedicated to enhancing the audio experience across various platforms. Raised in Germany by Ghanaian immigrants, her eclectic exposure to music from an early age laid the groundwork for her diverse career. Nana's advocacy for social justice and equality in the audio engineering industry is a testament to her commitment to uplifting underrepresented communities and women.
Holding a bachelor's degree in international relations from George Mason University, Nana's journey has included strategic consulting in Ghana and managing grant-funded multimedia projects for the American Psychological Association's Violence Prevention Office. These roles reflect her deep-seated desire to effect positive change through her professional endeavors.
Nana's passion extends to collaborating with local artists and volunteering at Seneca Creek Community Church, underpinning her belief in community engagement and development. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish Soundeazy, aiming to offer superior sound production services while fostering an inclusive environment for aspiring audio engineers.
A graduate with honors from the Art Institute of Washington's Media Arts/Audio Production program, Nana envisions using her expertise to empower the youth in Ghana through an interdisciplinary arts center. Her work, spanning music production to film soundtracks, alongside her contributions to social advocacy, embodies her dedication to bridging gaps in the industry and beyond. In her leisure, Nana pursues her love for the arts, nature, and writing, showcasing a commitment to creativity, social justice, and community upliftment.
soundeazy
Soundeazy LLC, a Black woman-owned business, provides a comprehensive suite of podcast production solutions focusing on high-quality, professional sound. Founded to meet the demand for affordable, client-friendly services for podcasters with diverse needs and budgets, Soundeazy promotes inclusion and diversity in the media arts through collaboration with clients and partners from underrepresented communities.
Providing audio engineering and sound supervision, Soundeazy is the backbone and foundation for the End of America with Thomas Giovanni podcast.
With the motto "Be Heard. Boldly," Soundeazy strives to be the leading provider of podcast production solutions, offering quality services and a pathway for independent and marginalized voices to freely create and be heard.