Blog
Rethinking the Corner Store
Tags: civic engagement, Collective Vision, Collective Visioning, community organizing, empowerment, leadership, linda stout
Small corner stores are often the only source of food for underserved communities. They may be the main source of groceries, yet they mainly stock processed foods that are high in calories, fat and salt. The Washington Post recently reported that dollar store profits are booming and the stores proliferating, writing, “With rising inflation and […]
The Health Educators – Vaccine Information and Outreach to the Latino Community
There are approximately 150,000 farmworkers and their dependents in North Carolina each growing season, but this estimate is considered low. One of the groups Bethsaida and I visited this summer, AMEXCAN, is essential to the state’s Mexican and Latino population. COVID-19 Hits Hard Among the many services AMEXCAN provides, education and outreach regarding cancer, diabetes, […]
Taking Action, One House at a Time
Tags: civic engagement, Collective Vision, Collective Visioning, community organizing, empowerment, linda stout
How Kinston Teens Are Changing Their Community At age 14, Chris Suggs was already losing friends, schoolmates, and family to drug and gun violence. Coming from a community that is the most economically distressed in all of North Carolina and with the highest rate of gun violence, he decided to provide alternatives for teens. Chris […]
Standing Up Against Intimidation
“We are the armor bearers for Elizabeth City” The Faith & Victory Christian Church (FVCC) [https://www.fvccfamily.org] is a non-denominational church that Bethsaida Ruiz and I visited in June in Elizabeth City, NC. It truly acts as a modern-day church, much like churches of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. You are welcome in their church dressed […]
Update from the Road
Since we left Asheville on June 23rd, my colleague, Bethsaida Ruiz, and I have made our way across North Carolina visiting with four organizations that have been part of our TAKE 10 trainings, our first observation is that all of the groups we have met with do an amazing amount of work with very small […]
The Legacy of the Black Belt – Our Road Trip to Eastern North Carolina
Two weeks, 1,600 miles, 11 hotel stays, 13 organizations.
The Journey We Share
We can’t be afraid to acknowledge the ups and downs of our lives. Let’s acknowledge them to each other, share our stories, and continue together on our journey to peace and justice.
When We Disagree
Listening to President Biden’s speech to Congress last week (4/28/2021), I was a little nervous. I was remembering when Republican Congressman Joe Wilson shockingly yelled out, “You lie!” at President Obama during his speech in 2009. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels apprehensive when listening to a Presidential speech before Congress now. […]
Saying NO – Sharing power and accountability
Activists are so busy doing. But they have to take the time to stop, rest and reflect. They have to learn how to say, “No.” This is not a luxury; it is the real work activists must do in order to be effective in a complicated world.
What to Do When They Keep Us From Voting
Stacey Abrams and LaTosha Brown sure shook a lot of folks up. They followed Organizing 101: go to the people to get them to the polls, listen, make sure they understand the issues, be patient, be helpful and keep at it. Stacey went to Black churches and organized the women. She focused on three core […]
