This special crossover episode of Beyond the Campaign and Read the Damn Book brings together host Michelle Glogovac and guest Dakarai Larriett for a powerful conversation about advocacy, leadership, and storytelling. Larriett shares his journey from being a lifelong advocate for community issues to running for the United States Senate, drawing from the experiences detailed in his memoir, Don’t Flush. He discusses confronting police misconduct, the importance of education, and his vision for Alabama’s future. Throughout the conversation, Larriett highlights how education, healthcare, and criminal justice reform are deeply interconnected—and why true change begins with community engagement.What We're Talking About...Dakarai Larriett has dedicated his life to advocating for community issues and creating meaningful change in Alabama.With a strong background in public service and education advocacy, Larriett brings firsthand experience to his political vision.His personal encounter with police misconduct became the catalyst for his decision to run for public office.Education remains a cornerstone of Larriett’s campaign, as he pushes for better access, funding, and opportunities for all students.He believes that true political progress starts with active community engagement and listening to local voices.Larriett calls for comprehensive criminal justice reform to create a fairer, more accountable system.He is deeply committed to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and investing in youth success.His entrepreneurial drive extends beyond politics, shown through his innovative pet aromatherapy business.Larriett advocates for universal healthcare access, especially for children and underserved families.He’s focused on building bipartisan coalitions to bring people together and move Alabama forward.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:55 The Journey to Advocacy and Writing07:20 Experiences with Law Enforcement and Justice11:58 Political Aspirations and Community Engagement16:24 Education and Its Impact on Society21:11 Campaign Strategies and Community ConnectionLinks MentionedLinks MentionedDon’t Flush promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_9BjWs4QT0Purchase Don’t Flush: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKGSB8FY?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_XW3K5MBYRRA4TZCREFGH_1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_XW3K5MBYRRA4TZCREFGH_1&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_XW3K5MBYRRA4TZCREFGH_1&bestFormat=trueDakarai Larriett’s website: https://dakarailarriett.com/Dakarai Larriett’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574763727908Dakarai Larriett’s Instagram: @dakarailarriettforsenateDakarai Larriett’s TokTok: @dakarai.larriettGuest Bio:Dakarai Larriett, an Alabama native and the son of a U.S. Army veteran and a public school teacher, is a thriving entrepreneur and committed community volunteer. His candidacy for the U.S. Senate is driven by the injustice he faced from a false arrest in 2024. Growing up influenced by his father's military service, Dakarai moved between several states and even spent time in Germany. He excelled academically, earning a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where his dedication to public service deepened during his junior year as an exchange student at Howard University.Dakarai has built a successful career as a corporate leader while also managing a pet-care business he launched from his garage. Over the past 20 years, he has served in leadership roles on multiple nonprofit boards, gaining a reputation for his servant leadership upon returning to Birmingham in 2021. Actively involved in various volunteer initiatives, he leads an HOA board in downtown Birmingham that represents local families and businesses, showcasing his passion for Alabama's culture and community. In his leisure time, Dakarai enjoys visiting the shooting range and regularly attends First United Methodist Church.