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Home > Archives for Team re:power

Team re:power

Welcoming our new Leadership Giving Manager

November 29, 2022

Mia S. Willis

We’re excited to welcome our new Leadership Giving Manager, Mia S. Willis (they/them)! 

Mia is a fundraiser, popular educator, and artist based on unceded Muscogee Creek territory (so-called Atlanta, Georgia). They are a lifelong Southerner whose family lineage includes laborers, union stewards, teachers, and civil servants.

Mia was a graduate student in Classics at The Florida State University when they left academia to design the youth volunteer curriculum at the Atlanta History Center and embark on their first North American poetry tour. They have received fellowships from Cave Canem, La Maison Baldwin, and Lambda Literary for poetry featured in The Slowdown, Palette Poetry, and others.

By the summer of 2020, Mia was eager to support movement organizations with the skills they acquired as a self-employed performance artist and workshop facilitator. They have since served in development and popular education roles at Reading In Motion, Highlander Research and Education Center, and Southern Movement Assembly.

When Mia isn’t fundraising for change or writing toward tomorrow, they enjoy collecting vinyl records and producing sample-based music.

“I come from a family of community-centric fundraisers; individuals who understand that fundraising is just one way marginalized people build power under capitalism and that all contributions, regardless of nature or size, are invaluable in the struggle toward self-determination. I’m looking forward to talking with the folks who support our work and building with them!”

Mia S. Willis

Filed Under: News & Statements Tagged With: new staff

October 2022 Newsletter

November 7, 2022

Preview - Oct 2022 Newsletter

OCT 2022

Midterm Election watch

Hello friend,

Take a minute with me. Close your eyes and let’s imagine it’s November 9th, 2022. Day after Election Day. The adrenaline is fading and we’re settling into a new political world.  The frenzy is transforming into patience (or perhaps impatience) as we are undoubtedly waiting for the final results of our midterm elections.  

 

Over the last several years, re:power has been focused on how we can redefine winning for our elections. The odds are stacked against our progress in so many ways, so how are we holding on to our hope, if the outcomes of a rigged system don’t always support it? It’s not easy, but it's a requirement of our work to find the motivation and perseverance needed to continue to build toward our north star. 

 

Am I hopeful for Election Day? Of course—we’ve got some amazing people running meaningful campaigns that have the potential to really make a material difference for our people (see below!).  But, I won’t deny that I’m also scared of what this could mean for our near-term future. 

 

So what am I doing? I’m reminding myself that our work is bigger than any ONE election cycle. That is about building long-term power and there are plenty of electoral-related wins (like increasing voter registration, increasing voter turnout of our people, better engagement, running narrative campaigns to combat disinformation, etc.) that matter even if we don’t capture 51% of the votes we needed. This is the long-game and re:power will be here building it with you. 

 

Sending nothing but love, energy, healing, and rest to all our campaigners this month!

 

In solidarity,

Karundi Williams

 

re:cap

Get Our Our Vote!

ICYMI: This month we launched a new GOTV video series just in time for the midterms! Join re:power Lead Trainer, Atima Omara for our GOTV training where we share strategies to build an inclusive campaign, get out our vote, and win.

ACCESS TRAINING
 

Training Roundups

In October, we completed two movement data courses to equip data practitioners, digital strategists, and organizers with the data tools to level up their campaigns! The courses included: 

  • Database Management Using SQL
  • Building Analytics Reports in Google Sheets

Our Data X Power Movement Tech Fellowship also continues in full swing. Data X Power is re:power’s 10-month fellowship for movement-centered data experts from across the country. The fellowship launched in February 2022 and will culminate this December.

 

alumni re:port

Our alumni are on the ground and re:powering the midterms! Our 2022 Campaign Management, Field Director and Candidate Programs trained:

100+

organizers, candidates, and campaign staff across 30 states including the battleground states of Ohio, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

62%

of training participants were women

63%

of participants were BIPOC

 

on the re:cord

“I was the everyday person. Organizing was not on my mind and activism was not in my radar. This all happened during OFA 2008 and hasn't stopped since. I have worked on several campaigns… and as a mature organizer, activist, strategist, director etc., re:power is helping me to reevaluate and up my skills. It takes all of us to make the transformational change that we need in society. Thank you for the trainings.”

LACY DAWSON, RE:POWER ALUM

DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, ECONOMIC JUSTICE ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN

 

re:minders

re:power is hiring!

We are looking for an innovative and creative Program Coordinator to help support our Progressive Governance Academy.

 

The Progressive Governance Academy (PGA) supports progressive elected officials to build power in partnership with their peers and with local progressive movement actors.

 

If you’re deeply committed to democracy and the belief that elected officials are key partners in delivering community change, then this role is for you!

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

 

Remembering the legacy of Paul Wellstone

October 25th, 2022 marked the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia; along with five others. Before we became re:power, for nearly sixteen years we operated in this movement as Wellstone Action—an organization founded in the legacy of Senator Wellstone. His deep commitment to progressive politics, organizing, and activism are the foundations on which this organization was built. And this month we honor his life and legacy. 

“Politics is not predictions and politics is not observations. Politics is what we do. Politics is what we do, politics is what we create, by what we work for, by what we hope for, and what we dare to imagine.”

PAUL WELLSTONE

 

re:power re:commends

The latest election polls!

The Problem with Jon Stewart

Pod Save the People: Prepare for the Polls

Follow these incredible re:power alumni!

Jeniece Brock

Charlane Oliver

 

re:spect

Shout out to our sponsors that help us keep our training costs accessible! 

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email sarah@repower.org to learn more! 

Web SiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

This email was sent by re:power, a women of color-led team of organizers, strategists, and technologists dedicated to building transformative political power. Our work is tied to the belief that by partnering with individuals, organizations, and coalitions across the country, we can uncover leaders within communities to create radical change.

 

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INVEST IN THE MOVEMENT

re:power
2639 Nicollet Avenue Ste 220
Minneapolis, MN 55408
United States

Filed Under: News & Statements, Newsletter Tagged With: midterms, newsletter, repowerrundown

September 2022 Newsletter

October 2, 2022

Preview - September Newsletter

SEP 2022

(From left to right: Gregory A. Cendana & Jessica Cendana of Can't Stop! Won't Stop! Consulting, Ateira Griffin, Kavita Khandekar Chopra, Jennifer Epps-Addison, Katrina Gamble, Jess Morales Rocketto, Aaron Dorfman, Carmen Berkeley, Luna Yasui, Art Reyes III, April Sims, and Karundi Williams)

Hello friend,

Every September I have a moment where I suddenly sit up and realize: “Holy sh$t, we’re almost at the end of the year!” It’s almost comical, because Summer passes so quickly and the month of September marks that transition for all of us. The leaves begin changing and the fall air starts moving in. Kids are going back to school. And we all collectively realize that we’re heading toward the end of the year. 

 

And while I sometimes mourn how quickly time is passing by, September also starts the season of gathering! This September I was lucky enough to have several moments of coming together with great people. This started when I was invited to speak on a Spotlight Session at the Clinton Global Initiative. Our panel spoke to the ways Philanthropy can meet the moment and transform giving and grantmaking for equity, justice, and impact. 

 

Later in the month, our re:power board got together for our first board retreat in over 3 years. It was a joyous and connective space that left me with a sense of deep security in the future of re:power and our movement as a whole. 

 

So while September always manages to shock me a little, the month also happens to be one of my favorites as it moves us all a little closer together.

 

In togetherness, 

Karundi Williams

re:news

NEW STAFF!

In September, re:power welcomed Isabella Guinigundo (she/her) as our first-ever Program Operations Intern! Isabella is a Filipina organizer from occupied Myaamia lands (so-called Cincinnati, OH). In 2019, Isabella helped develop the national youth climate movement as a member of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike’s Logistics team. And during the 2020 election, she led AAPI voter engagement efforts with Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership.

READ MORE

Our newest staff member, Victor Suarez (he/him) also joined our team in September as our Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing! Victor is based in Pasadena, CA and for the past 7 years, he has worked at the intersection of electoral campaigns, narrative strategy, and digital organizing. Before joining the re:power team, Victor was the Strategic Communications Director at California Calls, a progressive statewide alliance of community-based organizations. 

READ MORE

re:cap

SUMMER ROUND-UP: PROGRAM TRAININGS & PARTNERSHIPS

re:power has been BUSY! The Summer was filled with important partnership trainings aimed at preparing our folks for the battles ahead, including the 2022 midterms. Here are some highlights from some of our recent partnerships!

READ FULL POST

Four Freedoms Fund

WHO: 20–25 BIPOC immigrant-rights based grantees of the Four Freedoms Fund including Mi Familia Vota, LCF Georgia, Nebraska Appleseed, North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT), and La Union Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE). Organizations were representing the local immigrants rights fights taking place in TX, GA, NC, FL, AZ to name a few.

 

WHEN: Jun–Aug 2022

WHAT:

A twelve-week integrated voter engagement cohort supporting new organizers on utilizing VAN, introduction to digital organizing, how to base build alongside direct voter contact, and even managing up as a middle manager. Grantees also leaned into bi-weekly coaching sessions held by re:power Fund trainers.

State Infrastructure Fund

WHO: Over 120 State Infrastructure Fund grantees across the country, of which 90% were BIPOC

 

WHEN: Jun–Aug 2022

WHAT:

Dual training series on Data Strategy and a Hybrid Grassroots Organizing & Digital Action course. 

Run For Something Action

WHO: 8 candidates in Denver and Texas who are actively campaigning for County Clerk (Election Administrator) seats in November as part of Run For Something Action’s (RFSA) Democracy Defenders. RFSA recruits and supports young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races in order to build sustainable power for Democrats in all 50 states.

 

WHEN: Aug–Sep 2022

WHAT:

A 4-week campaign management course focused on effective campaign management, digital security, VAN and fundraising and 8 weeks of coaching. At re:power, we understand the importance in this political moment to protect the integrity of elections at all levels of government following the failed insurrection of 2021 and the Big Lie campaign led by the extremist Right.

 

“There is so much I wish I had known when I raised my hand to be a candidate... Thank you for educating candidates in such a powerful way.”

PARTICIPANT, RUN FOR SOMETHING TRAINING

New Pennsylvania Project

WHO: The New Pennsylvania Project (NPP) is a women of color-led voting rights organization founded in 2021 to expand Pennsylvania’s electorate so it reflects the Commonwealth’s demographically changing population. NPP provides issue education and empowers young residents and those living in underrepresented and often neglected communities of color and immigrant communities to vote.

 

WHEN: May–Sep 2022

WHAT:

A 3 month strategic planning process to lay the groundwork for the launch of the New Pennsylvania Project Education Fund and a shared vision of success for NPP moving toward 2024. The strategic planning process culminated in a board retreat. 

State Courts On the Power Map—Ohio

WHO: 75 organizational leaders and over 100 organizers and community members, including faith leaders, students, electoral campaigners, and aspiring candidates. The project was anchored by the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Lead Ohio, and the Buckeye Institute for Justice.

 

WHEN: Jul–Sep 2022

WHAT:

Our pilot project to train state leaders and organizations to navigate the state courts as key decision-makers on the issues we’re fighting for. This was a 3-part series, beginning with a state launch for organizational leaders, followed by a 2-part training series geared toward organizers and community members. The curriculum is a first of its kind: geared toward BIPOC participants, particularly women and non-binary folks; focused on navigating a new and critical organizing arena–state courts.

 

“The collaboration created the space for us all to learn, evaluate, and pivot to address the needs in the field without the tension that sometimes exists between organizations. I felt like I could bring my expertise and my full self to the table.”

PARTNER PARTICIPANT, STATE COURTS ON THE POWER MAP—OHIO

re:opportunities

LATINAS REPRESENT

We’re excited to be an official partner of the Latinas Represent Summit! Join us in uplifting the voices of Latina community leaders, politicians, and businesswomen as they discuss the current state of Latinas in U.S. politics and more. You don’t want to miss this event!

REGISTER

on the re:cord

“Since starting this cohort I have grown exponentially—spiritually, mentally, even financially. By re-grounding in my purpose and who I am, I have not only been able to support others more authentically, and disconnect from a toxic working environment, but I have also been able to increase my income by about $30,000 or 48%!”

ALUM, WOMEN OF COLOR LEADERSHIP COHORT

(Here's your data for the EFFECTIVENESS OF INVESTING IN WOC!! 🙌🏾💪🏾💪🏾🤝🏾) 

re:commendations—Latine Heritage Month

The brilliant writing of Elizabeth Acevedo

This Fool

 

BONUS: Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion

Bad Bunny,
Un Verano Sin Ti

Yesika Salgado

@yesikastarr on Instagram

re:spect

Shout out to our sponsors that help us keep our training costs accessible! 

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email sarah@repower.org to learn more! 

Web SiteFacebookTwitterInstagram

This email was sent by re:power, a women of color-led team of organizers, strategists, and technologists dedicated to building transformative political power. Our work is tied to the belief that by partnering with individuals, organizations, and coalitions across the country, we can uncover leaders within communities to create radical change.

 

If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews).

INVEST IN THE MOVEMENT

re:power
2639 Nicollet Avenue Ste 220
Minneapolis, MN 55408
United States

Filed Under: News & Statements, Newsletter Tagged With: newsletter, repowerrundown

Summer Round-up: Program Trainings & Partnerships!

September 28, 2022

It’s been a busy summer filled with important partnership trainings aimed at preparing our folks for the battles ahead, including the 2022 midterms. Here are some highlights from some of our recent partnerships!

Four Freedoms Fund

In June, we launched a twelve-week integrated voter engagement cohort for Four Freedoms Fund to train their immigrant-rights based grantees on campaign management. There were 20–25 BIPOC participants at any given time representing different organizations within the FFF grantee ecosystem, such as Mi Familia Vota, LCF Georgia, Nebraska Appleseed, North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT), and La Union Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE). Many of these organizations were representing the local immigrants rights fight taking place in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska, and Arizona to name a few. 

re:power Fund staff and trainers supported the leadership of many new organizers on utilizing platforms like VAN, introduction to digital organizing, how to base build alongside direct voter contact, identifying tactics, creating an effective and winning field plan, and even managing up as a middle manager. The cohort really leaned into bi-weekly coaching sessions held by re:power trainers and felt supported throughout the time in the program.

Here are a few reflections from participants:

“The coaches are clear and helpful in explanations. They lead and not tell.”

“Direct Voter Contact training was definitely the most useful since it was tailored specifically to our org.”

“It was nice to be directly asked the question and have my coach to talk it through with. I got some good feedback with good follow up questions.”

“I needed basic campaign ideas, tips and tricks and Victoria definitely provided! Things simply like ‘how many times does someone need to see your messaging’ during a campaign.”

Highlights: 

  • Deeper understanding in creating field and campaign plans as well as cutting turf.
  • Participants appreciated authentic in the field experiences of the coaches.
  • Re:Power coaches helped orgs create strategic and targeted universes for C3 plans.

Run For Something

Throughout the month of September, we partnered with Run for Something Action (RFSA) to launch a County Clerk candidate campaign management program for eight candidates in Denver and Texas who are in the midst of active campaigns to seek the role of County Clerk, also known as Election Administrators, during this year’s midterm elections in November. RFSA recruits and supports young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races in order to build sustainable power for Democrats in all 50 states. RFS aims to lower the barriers of entry for these candidates by helping them with behind-the-scenes mechanics, tactical and strategic support, advice, mentorship, access to training, and everything in between.

RFSA sought out a partnership with us to train their Democracy Defenders candidates on effective campaign management, digital security, VAN, and fundraising. We held four weekly sessions with eight weeks of coaching hours to support the candidacy of this important role throughout local democracies. At re:power, we understand the importance in this political moment to protect the integrity of elections at all levels of government following the failed insurrection of 2021 and the Big Lie campaign led by the extremist Right. We supported the campaign management learnings of 8 county clerk candidates in Colorado and Texas.

Here are a few takeaways from the program: 

“Kemi made the information accessible to me. The links were helpful to test my phishing skills. I like the music ahead of time, it helps set the mood and gets some energy flowing before a two hour session.”

“There is so much I wish I had known when I raised my hand to be a candidate… Thank you for educating candidates in such a powerful way.”

“Following the fundraising training, one candidate pitched to the entire Zoom their fundraising messaging for their campaign and was able to raise $100 from the call as practice!”

New Pennsylvania Project

The New Pennsylvania Project (NPP) is a voting rights organization founded in 2021 to expand Pennsylvania’s electorate so it reflects the Commonwealth’s demographically changing population. NPP is engaging and empowering young residents and those living in underrepresented and often neglected communities of color and immigrant communities to vote, providing education about the issues that matter in their neighborhoods and mobilizing the electorate to vote in every election—twice a year.

We partnered with the New PA Project and New PA Fund on a 3 month strategic planning process, culminating in a Board retreat. The process successfully laid the groundwork for launching the New Pennsylvania Project Fund and building  a shared vision of success for the New Pennsylvania Project moving toward 2024. 

New PA Project Board members and senior staff gave rave reviews for the retreat we facilitated. Some examples:

“Thank you SO much for your time, work and expertise in facilitating!”

“The shift to focus on more actionable items vs. getting through the agenda was helpful.”

“Willingness to be flexible and not have a rigid approach to getting through the agenda was excellent.”

Highlights

  • We field tested a new, more flexible model for strategic planning especially geared toward organizations and leaders who aren’t familiar with strategic planning, are in constant mobilization mode and are seeking to balance planning with action. We approached the planning process as an opportunity to learn and teach about the components of the process, had a flexible and collaborative process for prioritizing deliverables based on real time capacity and needs, and held regular working  sessions with a clear division of labor to meet our goals.  
  • We focused on shared vision and values as well as opportunities and challenges at the Board Retreat. This helped create a sense of unity and purpose and inspired Board members about the work ahead. 

State Courts On the Power Map—Ohio Launch

Partners: Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Lead Ohio, Buckeye Institute for Justice 

The launch of our pilot project to train state leaders and organizations to navigate the state courts as key decision-makers on the issues we’re fighting for. This was a 3-part series, beginning with a state launch for organizational leaders in July, followed by a 2-part training series in September geared to community members and organizers, to provide context on the important role of state courts and deliver training focused on moving people to action. 

Anchor organizations included Ohio Organizing Collaborative, and Lead Ohio Fund, and participants came from multi-racial constituencies, including Faith leaders, students, voting rights organizers, criminal justice organizers, electoral campaigners, and aspiring candidates.

The curriculum is a first of its kind: geared toward BIPOC participants, particularly women and non-binary folks; focused on navigating a new and critical organizing arena–state courts. It was co-created and co-facilitated by re:power and Ohio leaders in a collaborative process that elevates the expertise and knowledge of folks on the ground while also providing the national context, strategy and training re:power Fund brings to the table. 

The curriculum addresses a critical need for BIPOC organizations and leaders to learn more about this organizing arena, as decisions about our bodily sovereignty, right to vote and other key issues increasingly move to the state courts—and in many states, judges are up for election in November.

Highlights

  • Great participation in all three events, with 75 organizational leaders at the launch, 60 folks at the first training and 40+ at the second.
  • We exceeded our goal for recruitment of our first SCPM  training team, drawing seven WOC from all over the country from a range of backgrounds,  including organizing in and around the courts—and the training team had a great first experience leading the trainings.

Filed Under: Partners, Stories & Profiles

Welcoming our first ever Program Operations intern!

September 28, 2022

In September, re:power welcomed Isabella Guinigundo (she/her) as our first-ever Program Operations Intern! Isabella is a Filipina organizer from occupied Myaamia lands (so-called Cincinnati, OH). She got her start in organizing early on when she led Cincinnati’s Young Activists Coalition at 17 years old. In 2019, Isabella helped develop the national youth climate movement as a member of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike’s Logistics team. And during the 2020 election, she led AAPI voter engagement efforts with Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership. Isabella is a co-founder of Ohio Youth for Climate Justice, a youth-led, anti-capitalist movement fighting to address the climate crisis with the focus and urgency that it deserves. 

When she’s not causing trouble for people in power, Isabella enjoys baking, reading, and long walks in the park. Presently, she is a third-year student at The Ohio State University studying Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Science & Environmental Communications. 

Isabella Guinigundo

Filed Under: News & Statements Tagged With: new staff

Announcing our new Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing, Victor Suarez

September 28, 2022

Victor Suarez

Our newest staff member, Victor Suarez (he/him) joined our team in September as our Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing! Victor is based in Pasadena, CA and for the past 7 years, has worked at the intersection of electoral campaigns, narrative strategy, and digital organizing. Before joining the re:power team, Victor was the Strategic Communications Director at California Calls, a progressive statewide alliance of community-based organizations. There he led communications campaigns in support of statewide ballot initiatives, public education campaigns, and year-round power building.

Victor began his career in communications working in the political tech space. He served as an Account Executive at NationBuilder where he worked with political campaigns and non-profits in the U.S and Latin America. And he is an alumnus of re:power’s Digital Organizing School! Victor is a proud Angeleno and the son of immigrants from Mexico. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He lives in Pasadena with his incredible partner and their two cats, Simba and Mochi.

Filed Under: News & Statements Tagged With: new staff

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