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Welcome Heidi Gerbracht, our new PGA Director!

Heidi Gerbracht

re:power Fund, along with our partners at Local Progress and State Innovation Exchange (SiX), are thrilled to announce our newest staff member—Heidi Gerbracht (she/they) as the Director of the Progressive Governance Academy (PGA). 

The PGA is a shared venture of three values-aligned organizations committed to training, supporting and enhancing the capacity of elected officials to govern, all while building the larger progressive movement. re:power Fund, Local Progress and SiX jointly launched the PGA in 2019 after seeing the significant and unique opportunity for the progressive movement to build infrastructure it has long been lacking: a national hub for training legislators. The program  supports newly elected leaders to successfully transition into governance and deepens the expertise of incumbents to build and strengthen the bench of leaders our country needs to ensure a thriving multiracial Democracy. 

The PGA strengthens elected officials’ capacity to govern by providing them with critical skills, training, and a supportive community of practice. Our curriculum emphasizes an organizing approach to governance, including training on skills like power mapping, relational organizing, and coalition building. We also focus significantly on models for collaborative and inclusive governance, working towards a new vision for progressives to hold and exercise governing power.  

In her new role as Director, Heidi will be leading the PGA as the project enters a new era with solidified support and infrastructure. The PGA will continue to offer meaningful training to local and state elected officials across the country and will also seek to strengthen the networks of local and state officials to work together in meaningful ways. 

“We are excited to welcome Heidi to our incredible team and know she is exactly the right leader to further cohere our shared vision and leverage our collective resources to  create the most powerful iteration of the PGA,” says Karundi Williams, Executive Director of re:power and re:power Fund. 

Welcome Heidi! We’re so excited you’re here!

“We are excited to welcome Heidi to our incredible team and know she is exactly the right leader to further cohere our shared vision and leverage our collective resources to  create the most powerful iteration of the PGA.”

Karundi Williams, re:power Executive Director

About Heidi

Heidi Gerbracht is a policy and local government expert and strategist with nearly two decades experience working on equity and justice using an intersectional approach.  Her career has involved the full spectrum of democracy, from recruitment to training to elections to policy and programs.

She founded and directed the nonprofit consultancy Equity Agenda, which works with city governments and mission-aligned nonprofits across the country using an intersectional approach to assess gender equity in their communities and to develop and implement policy and programs to achieve equity for all. Equity Agenda partnered with Mayors Innovation Project in January 2020 to launch the Women Mayors Network, which provides resources and support to nearly 200 diverse women mayors from cities of every size across the country. Previously, she developed, launched, and managed a successful national environmental health program called Bright Cities and was a public servant at the City of Austin in various capacities for nearly a decade where she spearheaded successful passage of several progressive policies that were the first of their kind nationally.

She is a past Board Chair of Annie’s List, an organization that recruits, trains, and elects progressive women who support abortion rights at the state and local level in Texas. Her leadership as Board Chair resulted in the organization’s Board of Directors surpassing fifty percent representation for women of color for the first time in the organization’s history, better reflecting the Texas population. Annie’s List also hired its first Black woman Executive Director during her Board Chair tenure, and their partnership created the space for Annie’s List to be the powerful multiracial coalition that it now is. Heidi is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, a state-driven national organization that builds power and sustains a young people’s movement for reproductive justice by centering the leadership of young people of color who are women, queer, trans, nonbinary, and people of low-income.   

Heidi has trained candidates for local office as well as current local officeholders, and regularly serves as a campaign consultant for city-level candidates who are part of the New American Majority: women, people of color, young people, and LGBT candidates in particular.

Heidi holds a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and a B.A. in International Relations from American University’s School of International Service.  She lives in Austin Texas.

Statement on the overturning of Roe v. Wade

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, the decision which protected the right to abortion in this country. Justice Alito makes it clear what he hopes to do with this decision—to reset our country, back to a time that is aligned with the “history and traditions” of our nation. In fact, in multiple places throughout his opinion, Justice Alito refers to this notion. He says that in determining today’s ruling, the Court asked itself “whether the right [to abortion] is ‘deeply rooted in [our] history and tradition’ and whether it is essential to our Nation’s ‘scheme of ordered liberty.’” 

Why am I focused on Justice Alito’s insistence that we adhere to the traditions and history of our nation? Because what Justice Alito is really saying is that he, and many others who want to deny our bodily autonomy, are seeking a country in which white supremacy and patriarchy remain intact. A country in which control of our bodies is not our own. The same country that supported the enslavement and torture of Black bodies.

What we know is that the history and traditions of this country are racist and sexist. We know that the history and traditions of this country limited the liberties and freedom of anyone who was not a white cis-male. And we know that this country and its “democracy” were built to give order to the systems of white supremacy and patriarchy—it is this same “scheme of ordered liberty” which Alito argues does not protect the right to abortion. 

Today’s decision was not a surprise—we knew this was the goal. It feels scary and bad. So, so bad—especially for women of color, non-binary and gender non-conforming people of color, poor people, and anyone who lives at the intersections of marginalization based on race, gender, sexuality, and class. The impact of losing the right to abortion is directly related to losing our rights to bodily autonomy and losing access to so many supports, like compassionate healthcare, that allow us to live full and free lives. 

But I also know that for people like me who live at the intersections of race and gender—Black women and other women of color, Indigenous and Native women, trans and non-binary people of color—our rights have never felt secure in this country. Even when we see progress, we immediately hear the distant roar of those who are coming to take it away. And I’m certain that more attacks on our rights are on their way, as illustrated by Justice Thomas’ reference to the Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell decisions. 

I started my morning not thinking about SCOTUS, but instead reflecting on an incredible thing that happened this week: our first Women of Color Leadership cohort in-person kick-off in Baltimore, MD. 32 incredible women of color leaders came together to begin a journey in which they will deepen their leadership, their understanding of themselves and of each other. All of these women work daily in service of their communities. They are our future leaders. They are my seeds of hope.

Women of Color Leadership Cohort, Baltimore, MD

Today’s decision placed an ominous gray cloud over all of us. We must seek out the rays of sunshine that break through the clouds and stand in that warmth whenever we can. 

I won’t deny that the fight ahead of us will be hard, but we’ve been in this fight for longer than we think. Our ancestors were fighting this fight and our descendants may have to continue it. And in that timeline, there is still so much that we can accomplish together.

Statement on Leaked SCOTUS Opinion

Like many of you, we were up late reading and reacting to the leaked draft Supreme Court majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which appears to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. 

If true, it appears the court is prepared to make one of our biggest fears a reality: an end to the constitutional right to choose. 

We are filled with frustration, anger, and sadness at what this leaked document could mean for the future. But let’s make one thing clear: this is a leaked draft opinion, not a final order of the Court. As of today, our right to choose is still legal. 

And, if this does go on to become the Court’s decision, know this: the fight is not over.

If the leaked document is to be believed, this issue will be kicked back to the states. State and local organizing and elections will become more important than ever.

Our partners in the reproductive justice space have been preparing for this moment, and we are here to support them, state by state, by training and supporting them and their leaders on the ground working to protect our right to choose.  

From our rights to protest and vote, to our right to love and live how we choose, we are seeing our basic human rights methodically stripped away. 

Now is not the time to give up. Instead, we must band together, build power in the states and at the federal level, and do all we can to build a true democracy that serves us all. 

Ways to join this fight:

  • Get acquainted with the rights you have in your state constitution and how they can be strengthened. This is where the fight is going. 
  • Get engaged in state elections for legislators and governors and weigh in. This is where the power will be. 
  • Get to know your state supreme courts and the laws that protect them from being taken over by the opponents of democracy. This is where the buck stops.  
  • State courts are the umpires in this high stakes game. We need qualified justices who reflect the people they serve. If you’re from a state that elects judges, vote!

Mercedes Fulbright Joins re:power As Director Of Civic Engagement Programs

re:power is excited to welcome Mercedes Fulbright as its new Director of Civic Engagement Programs. In this role, Mercedes will manage a portfolio of civic engagement programs—including campaign management and public leadership—to train and support field organizers, campaign leaders, and candidates.

An experienced and respected voice on political strategy, racial justice advocacy, grassroots, and electoral organizing, and public policy, Mercedes is a Southern Queer organizer, political strategist, and DJ. She formally led the Texas Working Families Party as Organizing Director. Based in Dallas, she is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

“Mercedes is a leader with deep ties to the movement and civic engagement spaces,” said Karundi Williams, re:power’s Executive Director. “We are excited to have found in her a leader who not only understands the challenges facing so many of our communities but who has rich experience in building coalitions and mobilizing activists in those same communities.”

re:power’s Civic Engagement training and support focus on campaign preparedness for electoral campaigners and for candidates ready to run for public office, as well as training individuals on managing campaigns and working on local and federal campaigns. Mercedes will be tasked with building upon existing civic engagement offerings while also developing innovative and impactful ways for participants to grow their skills, reflect, build community and receive peer-to-peer learning and support as re:power alumni.

“I am excited to support the capacity and leadership of grassroots organizers and activists, and for participants to envision ways to utilize electoral organizing and civic engagement as a base-building tool to build power for communities that have been pushed to the margins.”

Mercedes Fulbright

About Mercedes

During the 2020 summer uprisings, Mercedes co-founded a formation of organizations and emerging organizers called In Defense of Black Lives Dallas. She helped to elect a Democratic Socialist from Texas to Congress during the 2022 Democratic Primary as Texas WFP’s Organizing Director. She also established the Texas chapter of Local Progress, a national network of progressive municipal elected officials, as the Texas State Coordinator.  

Mercedes is also a political strategist and founding table member of the Electoral Justice Project with the Movement for Black Lives. Outside of political organizing and movement building, Mercedes is a DJ under the moniker ‘Saint Cedes’.

You can follow her on both Twitter for political hot takes and on Spotify for her custom playlists to energize your spirit and the movement @SaintCedes.

Announcing Three New Board Members

We’re thrilled to announce three new movement leaders who have been unanimously voted to join re:power’s board:

Jennifer Epps-Addison J.D., has spent the last 25 years leading justice-centered campaigns and organizations. Her work is rooted in community organizing, cultivating winning strategies, and advancing systems-change campaigns to transform our work and create the conditions where we all have the freedom to thrive.

She is the recipient of the 2013 Edna Award from the Berger-Marks Foundation, which honors an outstanding young woman each year for her leadership in fueling social change. In the same year, she was named an ‘Activist to Watch’ by Bill Moyers.

Jennifer earned her BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies and her JD from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to her return to organizing, Jennifer was a trial attorney in the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office. Jennifer sits on the board of directors for the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, United For Respect, Be A Hero PAC, and Step Up Louisiana. 

Art Reyes, III is the founding Executive Director of We The People Michigan and We The People Action Fund. Born and raised in Flint, MI, and hails from three generations of proud UAW members. 

Prior to We The People, Art was the training director at the Center for Popular Democracy, where he led national training programs for organizers, lead staff, and executive directors. He spent much of 2016 working in Flint responding to the water crisis and helping launch Flint Rising.

In 2020, Art and his team led a multi-racial organizing effort in Michigan to protect the results of the election and the integrity of our democracy. He has a BA from Michigan and MPP from Harvard where he taught a community organizing class with Marshall Ganz. He lives in Michigan with his wife Ashley, their baby Emilio, and a gigantic dog named Kona the Coney Dog.

Luna Yasui most recently served as Senior Program Officer on the Civic Engagement and Government team at the Ford Foundation, supporting young organizers and leaders seeking transformative and innovative solutions for inequality.

Luna’s work is grounded in the belief that strengthening the political participation and power of women, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ people is essential to realizing a just democracy by and for all. 

She has served on numerous charitable boards and as an advisor to multiple civic engagement and social justice donor collaboratives. She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of the Amalgamated Foundation, and the Chair of the Advisory Board for the AAPI Power Fund.

Luna received her JD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law where she was a Public Interest Fellow, and Peggy Browning Fellow, and BA from Brown University. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner, their twins, and Tater, the guinea pig.

Ateira Griffin Named re:power’s New Director of Women of Color Leadership Programs

re:power is excited to welcome Ateira Griffin as its first Director of Women of Color Leadership Programs. In this role, Ateira will engage re:power’s self-identifying women of color alum and vision and implement programming that supports and uplifts the work of women of color organizers.

A life-long Baltimore City resident, educator, facilitator, community organizer, and writer, Ateira is the founder and CEO of BOND—Building Our Nation’s Daughters, Inc. which mentors single mothers to cultivate positive mother-daughter relationships and increase their economic mobility two generations at a time. 

“We’re excited to have Ateira join our team, and help us further our work to build a truly inclusive political system in this country,” said Karundi Williams, re:power’s Executive Director. 

“We needed a leader who understood the challenges women of color face, at every level in their careers. Someone who deeply understands that, when Black, brown, and Indigenous women lead, we all win. We needed someone who could develop this framework with our partners and our communities and, with intentionality, center women of color and our leadership on the campaign trail, in the chambers, in the streets, and everywhere in between. I am beyond proud to say we have found that leader in Ateira.”

While this is a new position within re:power, the focus on women of color leadership is not. re:power has spent the last several years reflecting on how the intensifying nature of opposition has required quick skilling up and deeper commitments to ethical and effective leadership. The Women of Color Leadership Programs is designed to meet this moment, by centering the needs of one of the most marginalized groups among us: women of color. The efforts to come out of this new program area will create space for skills building, reflection, community building, and peer-to-peer learning and support.

“Liberation movements, and the people who power them, face both unprecedented opportunities to win and grave threats. Women of color are on the front lines, showing up every day to fight for all of us. It is our duty to ensure they have a safe space to learn, develop and build. I’m excited to help create that space within re:power.”

Ateira Griffin

About Ateira

Ateira earned her bachelor’s in civil engineering from Morgan State University and a master’s in secondary education along with a certificate in school leadership and administration from Johns Hopkins University. She previously served as a K-12 educator and school administrator and has authored and facilitated leadership training for adults across the nation serving as Director, Regional Leadership Development with Leadership for Educational Equity.

While serving as Director of Civic Engagement in the 1st District of Baltimore’s City Council Office she played a key role in organizing the “Back on the Bus” campaign for two extra hours of free student MTA ridership, organized the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Community Forum, passed the Transparency in Lobbying Act, and led Baltimore Rising, a 7-week free organizing and advocacy training for Baltimore residents. Most recently, Ateira testified at Congress for fair housing policies amplifying the Fair Housing Act’s impact on Black single mothers and women of color.

Currently, Ateira serves on the board of Teach For America—Baltimore and The Unity Hall in West Baltimore. She also serves as a school board commissioner for Baltimore City Public Schools. Ateira was awarded the 2019 Echoing Green Fellowship in recognition of her leadership and her work with BOND. Ateira also co-hosts Point of Hue, a podcast by and about women of color.