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

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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. 

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

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. 

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

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!

“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!! 🙌🏾💪🏾💪🏾🤝🏾) 

The brilliant writing of Elizabeth Acevedo

This Fool

BONUS: Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion

Bad Bunny,
Un Verano Sin Ti

Yesika Salgado

@yesikastarr on Instagram

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! 

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