Public Programming
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As part of our commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and analyzing the context of critical movements, Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice launched a Lecture Series that will give social justice leaders the opportunity to delve into topics relevant to movement building. This year's series focuses on the threat posed by authoritarian populism -- and how the left can better organize against it.
We’ll be bringing together academics, journalists, and practitioners to give us insight into the history and organizing strategies of the far right while helping us think about how to build more power for the left. Our fall lineup includes:
No Lone Wolves: the White Power Movement’s War on Democracy — Kathleen Belew (October 12)
Multiracial White Supremacy? The Shifting Grounds of Race —Daniel HoSang (November 9)
Conservative Cross-State Organizing: Lessons for Progressive Power-building — Alexander Hertel-Fernandez (December 14)
All lectures will be moderated by Scot Nakagawa.
Trans Rights and Democracy — Imara Jones (Feb 1)
Tarso Ramos: Executive Director of Political Research Associates
Fascist Fraternity: MAGA and The Misogynist Foundations of Authoritarianism
_______________________Jennifer Berkshire: Author of The Education Wars and co-host of the "Have You Heard" Podcast
JoAnn Wypijewski: Author of What We Don't Talk About: Sex and the Mess of Life and What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About #MeToo
Where: Zoom (RSVP HERE)
When: April 11, 2024 - 12:30-2pm (ET)
Participation in the Lecture Series is open to all, so please help spread the word within your networks!
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LDSJ will host 2-3 debates per year in which we facilitate a live virtual dialogue between two organizers with differing opinions on topics of importance to the field. The goal of the debate series is to open up space across the movement for challenging conversations on which there are multiple, conflicting points of view.
The first debate: The Four-Day Workweek and How We Build a Sustainable Movement will take place on Thursday, November 30 at 12:30 PM ET.
Angela Lang, founder and executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC) in Milwaukee and Stanley Fritz, LDSJ fellow and director of state and policy at The Vera Institute, will be debating. Ben Chin, Deputy Director of Maine People's Alliance, will moderate.
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The Campaign Working Group will offer a regular space for organizers to debrief past campaigns and seek peer support on current campaigns. Led by longtime labor leader and former United for Respect executive director Andrea Dehlendorf, the working group will convene monthly from December to May, taking place on the second Wednesday of each month, from 12-1:30 PT // 2-3:30 CT // 3-4:30 ET.
Our first session will feature JaNaé Bates (Director of Communications, ISAIAH) and Kandace Montgomery (Co-Founder, Black Visions) debriefing the Yes on 2 campaign to dismantle the Minneapolis police department. Each month after that, one member will present on the strategic choices they made in a campaign and the consequences of those choices. The larger group will ask questions and discuss broader lessons.
Space is limited: Apply here by November 1 to secure your spot
We hope this working group will help to create stronger relationships across our movement and to grow the movement’s strategic capacity, coordination, and flexibility. The dates of the working group are:
December 13, 2023
January 10, 2024
February 14, 2024
March 13, 2024
April 10, 2024
May 8, 2024