Storytelling for Left Populism against Authoritarian Drift: Zohran Mamdani and AOC by Dr. Michael Illuzzi
April 14 @ 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm EDT

What if politics isn’t just about policies – but the stories that bring people together?
Dr. Illuzzi explores the rise of Zohran Mamdani and how his storytelling redefines community, identity, and power. Moving beyond traditional nation-state-centric narratives, Mamdani builds a bold, city-centered vision that connects diverse groups through shared experiences of struggle and hope. By comparing his approach with figures like AOC, this talk reveals how political stories mobilize people – and why they matter in today’s era of rising authoritarianism.