How to Unleash Power

Defending Black Voters

The Defend Black Voters campaign has been gaining momentum and ramping up support over the summer: the Wayne County Commission passed a resolution holding contractors accountable for bankrolling the extremist lawmakers behind voter suppression; the mayor of Ann Arbor wrote  a scathing letter to Blue Cross Blue Shield; and a major union leader publicly supported the campaign. By community members and our partners using creative and dynamic direct action, the Defend Black Voters campaign brought about the first public hearing ever on a request to increase electric rates. In September, we saw the Right go on defense. On September 9th, we had commitments from five out of eight Michigan State University (MSU) trustees to support a resolution that addressed voter suppression. At the last minute the board chair removed the resolution, giving in to pressure from Michigan’s Republican Senate Majority Leader Shirkey who threatened to defund MSU if they passed the resolution. Despite this setback, we were able to move four trustees to make strong statements pushing back against a conservative op-ed that called our resolution partisan. The trustees’ statements emphasized that defending our democracy and civil rights is not partisan. 

You can join us by signing our petition in partnership with Color of Change PAC and the Michigan Defend Black Voters Coalition

The power and promise of our child care movement

Our Childcare Changemakers program is organizing parents, educators, and providers across the country to take action with us to fight for an equitable, affordable child care system. This month, we brought together Changemaker leaders to share their stories and develop a strategy to ensure the child care sector gets the investment it needs and deserves. Our partner SPACES In Action collaborated with us to produce a video that showcases the true passion and energy in the Changemakers community. Changemakers are stepping into their power, and they’re ready to win universal child care for all families by securing higher wages for providers and better accessibility for parents!

Clearinghouse of ARPA Resources

We are excited about the launch of a new website, Lead Together, to support the work of leaders and organizers who are building equity, transparency, and accountability into the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in their local communities. The new website was created by a national coalition, including Community Change, the Center for Popular Democracy, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Economic Policy Institute, Hester Street, Local Progress, People’s Action, and State Revenue Alliance. Designed to be a national clearinghouse for resources related to local ARPA funding, the Lead Together website highlights stories and case studies of communities that have already won historic investments in child care, affordable housing, and food security, ensuring that ARPA funds benefit those who have been most directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the Movement Map to see the real time impact that ARP dollars are having in communities.

Guaranteed Income Experts Gather in Atlanta

The idea of guaranteed income is continuing to pick up speed. Check out this piece in Teen Vogue: Guaranteed Income Pilot Programs Have Changed Young People’s Lives that explains the difference that direct cash payments can make in people’s lives.

Coming up on September 28, Community Change staff will join grassroots leaders, advocates, practitioners, and researchers in the field of guaranteed income at a conference in Atlanta to discuss the field’s growing national movement. The conference will be hosted by Mayor Michael Tubbs from Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, Natalie Foster from the Economic Security Project (ESP), and Dr. Aisha Nyandoro of Springboard to Opportunity and the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice (and Community Change’s 2022 Disruptor Change Champion!). Dr. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center, will discuss the history and future of the movement with Mayor Tubbs; other speakers will include guaranteed income recipients, organizers, community leaders, and mayors who have implemented guaranteed income projects in their towns and cities, and researchers who will share insights on the benefits of providing direct cash to families and individuals. Community Change staff will lead break-out sessions and co-president Dorian Warren will moderate a plenary panel on “Work and Worth” with Richard Wallace, Executive Director of Equity and Transformation (E.A.T. Chicago), Angela Garbes, author of Essential Labor, and others. The conference is being organized by ESP.