Yesterday, we here at Groundwork remembered the author and visionary, bell hooks, on the first anniversary of her passing. She’s a hero to us, and to so many advocates, activists and organizers across the country. Trey shared one of his favorite quotes from her with our team, and I had to share it with you, too:
“I’m talking about a love that is transformative, that challenges us in both our private and our civic lives. I’m so moved often when I think of the civil rights movement, because I see it as a great movement for social justice that was rooted in love and that politicized the notion of love, that said: Real love will change you.”
– bell hooks
With these words in my head, I’m honored to introduce you to some of Groundwork’s incredible organizing crew. As you know, organizing is the heart and soul of our work. And these three are on the frontlines of Groundwork’s efforts in our partner states supporting our partners: Southern Organizing Advisor Charles Taylor, Regional Organizing Advisor Anthony Davis Jr, and Massachusetts Organizing Director, Matt Kearney.
Charles, Anthony, and Matt have years of hyper-local organizing experience to show up for our partner organizations in any way that they need. Their commitment to building sustainable infrastructure is critical to our mission, and we are so proud to have these organizing champions on our team!
Donate now to uplift the incredible work of our staff and partners on the ground in the true battleground states.
Get ready to be inspired by Charles, Anthony, and Matt below…
Emily
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Emily Kaufman (she/her)
Executive Director
Groundwork Project
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How and where did you get your start in politics and why GWP?
This is a tricky question, I was always around politics because of my family but why make it a career? The answer is simple. I love my people and I love Mississippi. Politics, public policy is a way to address systemic issues with systemic change. Moreover, I believe in the mission of GWP because it’s about winning long term with deep investments and sustainable infrastructure. It’s about supporting those in local communities that would and have done the work for free. It is about relational organizing.
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⚡ Charles’ Lightning Round ⚡
⁂ Your ultimate hero ⁂
Maynard Jackson
⁂ The self-care practice you can’t do this work without ⁂
Driving aimlessly on Sunday evenings
⁂ Favorite podcast or book at the moment ⁂
Dark Money by Jane Mayer
⁂ Your life motto ⁂
The future has endless possibilities
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What is your proudest/favorite/funniest moment since being with Groundwork?
This is probably a combination of all three, but traveling through the Mississippi Delta with Joe and Charles, was my favorite memory since being on the Groundwork team. Despite us only being on time for our first stop of the day, the day encompassed why Groundwork’s model of investing in sustained organizing, is both rare and needed. There are so many activists, organizers, and community leaders doing great work in the face of legislative and financial challenges at home and nationally. These folks just need sustained resources, not someone coming in telling them what to do or only giving them money for short-term campaigns.
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⚡ Anthony’s Lightning Round ⚡
⁂ Your ultimate hero ⁂
Bill Russell
⁂ The self-care practice you can’t do this work without ⁂
Sunday morning virtual church service with family
⁂ Favorite podcast or book at the moment ⁂
My Vanishing Country by Bakari Sellers
⁂ Your life motto ⁂
“If what you did yesterday seems big, then you haven’t done anything today.”
–Lou Holtz
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What is a good way for folks to get involved?
The number one thing that jumps to mind is–vote. Vote, vote, and vote. Not just for presidential elections or statewide campaigns, but vote every damn time there is an election. It is NOT easy to stay informed and involved, it’s time consuming, it’s outright confusing at times but each of us has a civic responsibility to try our best to be engaged. I also think people associate organizing with political campaigns, however it truly goes beyond that. People organize around candidates, ballot initiatives, yes but if you organize a river clean up in your city/town, if you organize a team for a charity bike ride, if you organize your neighbors for a backyard barbeque you are an organizer!! It’s easier than folks think to translate their network into political power.
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⚡ Matt’s Lightning Round ⚡
⁂ Your ultimate hero ⁂
John Lewis
⁂ The self-care practice you can’t do this work without ⁂
Yoga/Spending time with family
⁂ Favorite podcast or book at the moment ⁂
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
⁂ Your life motto ⁂
Family over everything
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