John,

At the beginning of the year, President Joe Biden signed multiple executive actions aimed at advancing racial equity for underserved communities, stating that “our soul will be troubled, as long as systemic racism is allowed to exist.” Historians have described this as one of the most robust efforts to advance racial justice in the first weeks of any new administration. As Training Director + Senior Advisor of the California Democratic Party, I view the Biden Administration’s initial step towards equity and inclusion as a window of opportunity.

I have worked with numerous grassroots organizations and Democratic Party-affiliated groups beginning with being Co-President of the Swarthmore College Democrats to assisting the National Director of African-American Outreach for the Clinton/Gore ‘96 campaign to directing United States Senator Barbara Boxer’s LGBTQ and Black community outreach in her 2004 and 2010 campaigns and leading education and school discipline policy reform campaigns. Last year, I joined the California Democratic Party to leverage my mix of skills and relationships to build a training department that would tap into the power and knowledge within our party to create a more inclusive culture that provides every person with an opportunity to grow within the party and help us advance our inclusive vision for the state and nation.

John, at the heart of the training department is a sincere belief that we all have something to learn and we all have something to teach. Like President Biden who took a step forward in leading the nation towards equity and inclusion while admitting that neither he nor his administration had all of the answers, a big focus of the CADEM training department is creating space where you can be part of the solution while learning and sharing.

One way we’re doing this is with technology. Working with diverse members of our Party to deliver top notch training, the California Democratic Party is preparing to launch CADEM Academy Online which will provide a growing library of engaging trainings created by Democrats for Democrats that will be available 24/7. Our mission with CADEM Academy Online is simple: build the bench at the California Democratic Party and provide as many tools as possible for diverse leaders like you to lead.

We’re asking, will you pitch in $15 today to help us create a more equitable environment for all?

Grassroots donations build our progressive bench. If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:

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Every person deserves an opportunity to learn, grow and participate in the democratic process because we know that when we work together, we are stronger.
 

In Solidarity,
Vincent Jones
Training Director + Senior Advisor 
California Democratic Party