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.
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!
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.”
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.
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).
(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.
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.
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!
“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!
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).
This month our leader, Karundi Williams, is taking a much needed pause to replenish her spirit and energy. In this work, August is often the month of anticipation as we prepare for the busiest season of our work. At re:power we’re gearing up to support organizations through GOTV season with new webinars and resources; train new elected officials through the Progressive Governance Academy in November and December of this year; and to provide healing spaces for folks as we all make our way through yet another election season. Keep an eye out for all of these exciting events in the coming weeks!
So, just like Karundi, we hope all of you are taking a minute to catch your breath this month. Because September is right around the corner and we’ve got work to do!
This Fall, the Progressive Governance Academy is coming to a community near you! Workshops for local and state elected officials will be happening in Michigan, Georgia, Oregon, California, DC, and also virtually.
The PGA aims to to provide resources and knowledge to elected officials to ensure that they can work effectively in deep collaboration with their communities to make real change. And, to that end we’re in partnership with some amazing organizations, like Oregon Futures Lab, the League of Conservation Voters, New American Leaders, and others to curate these events and make them successful. Please reach out if you want to explore a PGA partnership or want to attend an event!
On Monday, August 22nd we held a Movement Briefing where we shared the results from our 2022 Organizer Survey. If you weren’t able to join us, head over to our new website to read our blog post on the results. You can also download the full Executive Summary here.
Building State Power in These Times: Strategies to Defend and Expand Our Rights
On Wednesday, August 24th we held the third offering in our Post-Roe webinar series. This session focused on building state power in these times and we were joined by two incredible state organizers, Shanay Watson-Whittaker from Michigan Voices and Prentiss Haney from the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. Click the button to watch the recording and check out some resources in the re:commendations section below!
“As a Latina who lives in a very conservative area, being an organizer is tough. In my current position, I also exist in a very white space and I’ve been hit hard with imposter syndrome. Being involved with the Women of Color Leadership cohort has been so impactful and interesting. I’ve learned so much with my cohort. My biggest takeaway—this imposter syndrome needs to go!”
GABRIELA FUENTES (she/ella)
WOMEN OF COLOR LEADERSHIP COHORT
re:opportunities
Leadership Giving Manager
We’re seeking a collaborative and motivated development professional to closely work and partner with the Director of Development to help oversee and manage the overall development functions of re:power with a general focus on growing our portfolio of individual givers and a specific focus on leadership gifts.
We’re seeking a creative and dynamic leader with the ability to vision and execute innovative and strategic programs. The position will be responsible for supervising staff and trainers towards program outcomes and professional growth, stewarding and growing partnerships with progressive organizations and campaigns, and developing and overseeing a portfolio of movement tech programs to train and support digital organizers and data practitioners.
Check out these resources to learn more about amending state constitutions, strengthening state courts, running ballot initiatives, and engaging in judicial elections at the state level.
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.
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).
Sunday July 24th was Self-Care Day. Did you take some time to take care of yourself? Did you even know it was Self-Care day?
The truth is, I bristle at the notion of self-care these days. I’ve got enough on my plate and now I have to think about how to take care of myself too? Our recent Organizer Survey confirmed just how burnt out our movement really is—this was the #1 challenge that organizers are facing. These results speak to deeper issues within our work, its sustainability, and where we are headed as the world seems to be crumbling around us.
Self-care is a band-aid to larger problems that our movement must deeply address. If our ultimate goal is to better the lives of people of color and other marginalized folks AND our organizations, more and more, are made up of those folks—we have to ask ourselves, what are we doing to better the lives of our fellow movement folks?
This also doesn’t mean that we can’t do some self-care too. Personally, over the last month, I’ve been focusing on stillness. As someone who has been in movement work for quite some time, I’m realizing how reactionary I can be. Something happens—I immediately react. And something is always happening.
So instead, I’ve been taking an intentional pause to practice being still. What I’ve discovered is when I’m still, I can hear myself more clearly. My body tells me what it needs. My innate knowing comes through. I find the answers and then I know how to move. I hope you’re able to practice whatever self-care that allows you to move forward with intention and powers.
- Karundi
re:news
Organizer Survey results are in!
In March we launched a movement-wide survey to better understand the short- and long-term needs and challenges of organizers, especially BIPOC organizers. Well the results are in and frankly, it’s not looking good for our folks. The Nation wrote a great piece digging into the results of our survey more deeply and here are a few highlights from the results:
By and large, all organizers list burnout as one of their top short-term challenges
BIPOC women and Black organizers also named the disconnect between power building and bettering people’s lives as a challenge
Black and BIPOC women organizers named training opportunities as a major short-term need
This week we launched the 2.0 version of the re:power website! Check-out our new look and enjoy some of our NEW features like: new resources, a new search function for trainings, a brand new partners page and some beautiful graphics!
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).
Folks learned the difference between safety and security and how to protect themselves and others from potential harm when seeking/providing abortion services or organizing for the right to abortion.
"I believe in starting with the grassroots to build transformative political leadership. That’s one reason why I support re:power. They are supporting the long-term systemic change that is needed."
JUSTIN POLLACK
RE:POWER DONOR
In case you didn’t already know, we currently have a Midterm Match where every dollar you invest with re:power will be matched 1:1 through July 30th. Please join our incredible community of donors who support re:power’s critical work by giving $25, $50, or $100 today!
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.
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).