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Stories & Profiles

South Asian SOAR

At the beginning of 2024, the Movement Building team started building a relationship with South Asian SOAR, a national organization founded in 2020 that brings together over 30 organizations representing South Asian survivors of gender-based violence in the US. SOAR leadership attended one of our public Storytelling Academies and wanted to bring the training to the many organizations they support, so we got to work!

Our training team worked closely with SOAR leadership to design and deliver a custom, trauma informed, 5-week Storytelling Academy serving 15 of their leaders. Participants were able to engage with their own stories in a way that respected the weight of their experience and supported them in sharing their stories publicly as a leadership practice. Our training with SOAR not only supported leaders in to share their stories in their communities but also helped workshop some of stories for the organization’s printed anthology – Sanctuaries: In Yours, I Found Mine. 

Through narrative and storytelling, we–as individuals, communities and nations–can learn how to make choices in response to the challenges of the uncertain world we live in. Narrative is how we communicate our values through stories, bringing alive the motivation we need for changing the world. Because it engages the head and the heart, narrative can instruct and inspire, not only teaching us about why we should act but also moving us to take action.

We’re so proud of our partnership with South Asian SOAR and excited to see what comes next for the organization!

 Learn more about how to partner with re:power here!

Dallas Data Bootcamp

Last June, re:power Fund came together with three funders – Groundswell Fund, Rise Together Fund, and Four Freedoms Fund – to dream and scheme about how to support the data needs of organizers across the country in such a critical year. Through those conversation, we built our first ever Data Bootcamp Partnership!

In May 2024, 57 data enthusiasts from 40 organizations across 19 states gathered for the Dallas Data Bootcamp, a week-long training focused on unlocking the power of data in organizing. This week-long training brought together a diverse group of changemakers united by a shared vision: a liberated, multi-racial democracy.

The bootcamp wasn’t just about spreadsheets and formulas—it was about connection. Participants had the chance to learn from each other through hands-on activities, small group discussions, and informal networking. From practical lessons on digital security to creating pivot tables and tackling real-world organizing challenges, the week was packed with opportunities to grow.

One key takeaway? Data isn’t just numbers—it’s a tool for change. Whether fine-tuning volunteer recruitment strategies or exploring advanced concepts like data engineering, attendees left feeling inspired and ready to apply their new skills to drive impact in their communities.

“These trainings are so much more than the content. To have people of color lead the trainings is relieving. To be in a Space of POC organizers is invigorating and hopeful. The content makes us stronger and better at our work.”

Dallas Data Bootcamp Participant

“I left the bootcamp feeling inspired and hope to keep following re:power to see if there are more trainings in the future.”

Dallas Data Bootcamp Participant


As we look to the future, the Dallas Data Bootcamp reminds us of the power of community and learning. Here’s to more collaboration, more innovation, and more progress as we continue the journey toward justice.

 Learn more about how to partner with re:power here!

State Courts on the Power Map

Since 2018, re:power Fund has been supporting organizers and organizations working toward better understanding the power of state courts. In 2022, through a grant from the Collaborative on Gender & Reproductive Equity, re:power Fund began working on a training program to help organizers place state courts on their organizing power map.

In 2024, this program for the first time launched our State Courts on the Power Map Cohort bringing together 13 leaders for an 11-week journey exploring the power and impact of state courts. Through in-depth sessions and collaborative assignments, participants gained confidence in understanding state court structures, tracking key cases, and building strategies for organizing and advocacy.

From an energizing in-person kickoff in Albuquerque to interactive online sessions, the program blended deep dives into judicial systems with moments of fun and connection. Icebreakers turned strangers into collaborators, and creative projects—like participant-made videos—showcased the unique perspectives each person brought to the table.

By the end, participants left with a deeper understanding of state courts, a toolkit for action, and a strong network of peers ready to build fair and just systems in their communities.

“I have grown significantly as a learner and educator. I have grown in my research abilities and connecting the dots of how the judicial impacts can intersect with other states. I had a fantastic time during the learning sessions as it was a space for us to contribute to the space while also gaining so much knowledge. I express my gratitude for this excellent initiative.”

State Courts on the Power Map Cohort Member


Re:power Fund will be launching this cohort again in 2025 – stay tuned for details!

 Learn more about how to partner with re:power here!

Latinas Represent: Empowering Latina Leaders Nationwide

At the start of 2024, re:power Fund partnered with Latinas Represent to launch an 8-week Latina Electeds Academy. This innovative program aimed to empower Latina elected officials across the country by enhancing their leadership skills and fostering a supportive community.

The academy brought together 33 Latina leaders for a series of virtual sessions that combined elements from re:power’s Women of Color Leadership Cohort and the Progressive Governance Academy. Designed to amplify leadership abilities while building connections and promoting continued growth, the program focused heavily on heart work—addressing the holistic needs of women of color to step into authentic, liberated leadership. Over eight weeks, participants explored topics such as power mapping, relational organizing, coalition building, and preventing burnout, equipping them with the tools they needed to excel in their roles.

Throughout the rest of the year, Latinas Represent will be sharing stories from the inaugural cohort members of the Elected Academy. Check out this message from Latinas Represent’s Executive Director, Stephanie Lopez, about the new program.

Video by Latinas Represent

As we move forward, re:power is excited to continue supporting Latina leaders in their journeys to make meaningful change in their communities. We look forward to expanding this partnership and witnessing the incredible impact these leaders will have in 2024 and beyond!

Who’s in the room: CSIO Edition

In June, re:power brought organizers from across the country together in Phoenix for the first in-person Campaign School for Issue Organizing program. The 2.5-day training covered everything from the fundamentals of campaign strategy to building volunteer programs, developing a fundraising plan, targeting voters through VAN, script-building, and more. The curriculum builds on the ethos that effective organizing isn’t just about securing electoral wins; it requires year-round base-building to sustain meaningful victories, and that work lives with the organizers who are building power around the issues that affect the day-to-day lives of their communities.

From seasoned veterans to fresh faces just beginning their organizing journey – the space offered teachable moments beyond the front of the room; in fact, the participants learned a great deal in their group work. 

Here are four inspiring organizers who joined us for this training. We connected with them to learn more about their organizations, recent projects, and lessons learned:

Jazmin Albertie (she/they)
Patterson, California
Data and Digital Organizing Manager

Jazmin Albertie

Jazmin works at PICO California, the largest multi-faith-based community organizing network in the state of California. Their mission imagines a new kind of economy — a moral one — in which basic life necessities are met (food, housing, jobs, healthcare, education, etc) so Californians from all walks of life can live in dignity and safety. In her work, Jazmin analyzes and synthesizes electoral data, invites people to in-person and digital actions, and supports voter contact efforts, like phone banks, text banks, and canvasses. Jazmin is currently revamping PICO’s welcome series, integrating the lesson on ladders of engagement to meet members where they are.

Kassandra Ramirez  (she/her/ella)
Nacogdoches, Texas
Rural Organizing Manager

Kasandra Ramirez

Currently, Kassandra works for Este Poder, a Latinx women-led organization centering young east Texans for their civic engagement and advocacy. Kassandra works directly with the youth through the student fellow program, coordinating with high schoolers and college students to equip them with the civic education and tools to become life-long voters. She took back to her team the lesson around the ladder of engagement and the four Cs to expand Este Poder’s reach into the community.

Cris Cuevas (all pronouns)
Boise, Idaho
Policy and Community Organizer

Cris Cuevas

Cris works at Poder Idaho, a Latinx-led organization empowering and uplifting immigrant and Latinx communities in Idaho through advocacy in five primary areas: economic justice, immigration, education, and labor & gender equity. Their most recent campaign, “Manejando Sin Miedo,” which means driving without fear, focuses on supporting legislation for driver’s licenses for all, regardless of documentation and status. The statement, “culture will eat strategy for breakfast,” resonated with Cris, who took the lesson to heart on how to build a resilient campaign culture.

Anvita Kandru (she/her/hers)
Coppell, Texas
Community Organizer

Anvita Kandru

SAAVETX Education Fund is a South-Asian women-led organization harnessing the political power of South Asians, the largest and fastest-growing minority in Texas; they operate statewide through civic engagement efforts and political education. Anvita works on translating voting materials in different South Asian languages since language access is a barrier to many non-English speakers and integrating those documents into their GOTV.  Anvita introduced to her team a more defined theory of change and a robust base-building strategy to move their people through the funnel of leadership development.

Empire Health Foundation

At the end of 2023, our Movement Building program partnered with the Empire Health Foundation (based in Spokane, WA) to support them in developing local BIPOC organizing capacity through training their grantee organizations. An all-WoC team led a 2-day Storytelling Workshop, customized to support participants in identifying real world applications for storytelling in organizing, which they got to practice live. We followed that up with a 2-day Train-the-Trainers with a select group of participants from the original cohort, who will be supported locally to continue to transmit these practices to other leaders and organizations.

Video by Empire Health Foundation

For 2024, Empire Health Foundation is seeing re:power as a key partner in developing local capacity and they have asked us to set up a partner contract where we’ll reserve close to 80 seats in public trainings across all our program areas for EHF grantees. We’re excited about the impact that can result from having so many participants from a single region sitting in all our programs and we look forward to continuing to support those organizations in 2024 and beyond.