Rivera Consulting revamps their political and civic research to meet the reality of our political and public commons

The Democracy Salons: a three part series where we invited thought leaders, change-makers, and everyday folks committed to co-foster and co-build a community that is built with each other to create the conditions for a multiracial democracy.

At Rivera Consulting, we partner with clients to transform communities, systems, and institutions through relational and multi-disciplinary trust building and data-driven problem solving and urban planning.

One thing is clear from the redistricting maps released locally last week: moderates have a vice grip on the Massachusetts legislature. If you have read the Rivera Consulting blog before, this is not news to you. In 2020, the political relationship between Governor Baker and House Leadership was hiding in plain sight. The new Massachusetts legislative district maps are peak Massachusetts - gerrymandered to protect those in power.

At our shop, one thing has become more clear than ever: with our civic infrastructure in flames across the country, now is the moment for us to invest in a deeper democracy—a public commons and society co-created and co-designed by the leadership of women, Black people, indigenous people, and all people of color.

Black people are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Sick and tired of police brutality, racism, and broken promises. Trump, his base, and many moderates say that our country is in chaos. But the raw, unapologetic truth is that Black people are in pain and have been long before COVID19.

Planning is a critical component of creating social or political change - and it’s a challenge for many organizations to make the time. In the current public health and political crisis, responding to tasks and putting out day-to-day fires is more urgent. But this is the time when planning can make or break an organization.

Super Tuesday for Democrats in 2020 was a stark reminder that the high-level institutional levers of the Democratic party are still alive and well. With little-to-no organizing presence across a diverse collection of states, Joe Biden produced a significant performance that has reshaped the nomination process.

Rivera Consulting Inc., was born and established to be home for the transition team. The transition team is those of us that understand that we are simultaneously living in both today’s world as we know it, and one that is emerging. Central to this team is the steadfast commitment that this transition must leverage our diversity and be centered on creating just, sustainable communities.