We need some real talk. The threats of the Trump Administration are not new -- they’re just out from behind the curtain. The need for big organizing strategies that center movements for racial justice, immigration reform, climate justice, workers rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and religious freedom have been pressing for a long time.

In the era of Trump, movements on the left need a full court press. Alongside protest, direct action, culture work, alternative institution building, legal strategy, healing work, and political education, we need strategies to build local electoral political power by electing the candidates we choose -- and systems to hold them accountable once they get there.

Since 2015, I’ve worked at the Multicultural Resource Center as a facilitator, trainer and organizer, coordinating projects like the New Jim Crow Community Read, The Talking Circles on Race and Racism, and the Youth Racial Justice Organizing Fellowship (working with teens 15-18 in Tompkins County). My role in racial justice work has been to support groups that are strategizing around community wide efforts to confront local injustices and to train trainers and organizers on the skills we need to win tangible social change.

I’m dedicated to building a foundation for the real work to begin after this election is won. As a community organizer, I understand that in order for true change to happen, the power must come up from below.

In order for this vision to become a reality, more up-front work is needed to build a strong network and foundation throughout the campaign process. This will help catapult us to a truly progressive movement after the election is won.

Please contribute here to help us reach our goal, so we can focus on building people power and accountability in our local political system.