John,

I wish you could see my face right now, because I am BEAMING. After all our work, Sheldon Neeley won his race for mayor of Flint!

It’s been an amazing race, and the reason I’m smiling so big is because I’m so proud of everyone who made it happen.

Every one of us who worked on this race was a regular person in Flint, working for change because our lives and ability to thrive depend on it. And the work will go on after today, so I’m asking you: will you give a $5 victory donation to help replenish our resources as we plan for the next big elections in Flint and nationwide?

Let me give you an idea of the amazing work we, along with our all-volunteer squad, have been able to do in Flint in the last 6 weeks:

1. Knocked on 2,337 neighbor’s doors- My squad and I knocked 490 doors in a single day-- that’s HUSTLE! And in true Flint fashion, we powered through 40-degree winds, rain, and more.
   
   
2. Hosted a debate watch party and an Election Day Countdown celebration- The debate watch party was the first community gathering of its kind in Flint, and at our celebration Monday night we got to thank everyone for all the work they’ve done as we sent out final texts to remind people to vote.
   
   
3. Flooded social media, email, and mailboxes with support for Sheldon Neeley- We made sure everyone in Flint on email, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube heard about this race-- our digital ads were seen nearly 1.5 million times! We also hit mailboxes with a flyer about Sheldon Neeley to 29,000 potential voters in Flint.

If we can do this much work in 6 weeks, imagine what we could do with enough support in the months to come as Sheldon Neeley takes office. We can hold the Mayor’s office accountable to ensuring people get clean water, that plans to improve our schools are in motion, and that they invest in real community safety. You know as well as we do that the election is only the beginning— donate $5 now to celebrate our victory and help replenish our resources for the work ahead.

This win literally would not have happened without my neighbors and friends in Flint getting out with me and spreading the word every single day for weeks now. Besides the campaigns, we were the only people working on this race— meaning many of the folks we talked to may not have heard about the election without us knocking on their doors, inviting them to events, and getting on their social media feeds.

And let’s be clear: we plan to be in Flint long after this election. This is our home. Which is why we’re already thinking about tomorrow and next month and next year. Because today, we go home to the same contaminated water, the same under-resourced schools, the same neighborhoods in need of care.

We’ve got a leader that will respond to our demands after this election. But things haven’t changed yet— now we need to get to work. Make a $5 victory donation now to replenish the resources we’ve used on this election, and help us gear up for everything that comes next to make change in Flint.

Before I go get a badly-needed night's sleep, I just want to give one more shoutout to my people in Flint. The everyday people like me in Flint who are balancing being moms, dads, aunties, uncles, teachers, coaches, breadwinners, caregivers, and so much more-- while also fighting to make Flint a better place.

This win is for them.

For my beautiful, joyful volunteer squad, who have been consistently alongside me door-knocking, event hosting, and doing all the work in-between.

For every last person in Flint who cast their vote in a resilient, defiant act of faith that we still have the power to change our realities.

And of course, for my kids, and every other child in Flint.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with us.

Until justice is real,

Ariana and the Color Of Change PAC team (Arisha, Jenni, Kwesi, Shannon, Calyssa, Chad, Drew, Charles, Cristel, Daniel, Tammi, and Scott)