In 2019, What Does Deep Democracy Look Like?
Clockwise from top left: Aimee Allison (Founder of She the People), Charlane Oliver (Co-Founder of Equity Alliance), Tequila Johnson (Co-Founder of Equity Alliance), Alejandra St. Guillen (candidate for At-Large Boston City Councilor), Kim Janey (running for re-election for District 7 Boston City Councilor), and Clarissa Brooks (community organizer and writer)
At Rivera Consulting Inc., our movement building playbook is based on relationship-driven strategies and rely heavily on the use of relational organizing, ethnic media, digital marketing, and social media. These campaigns seek not only to win elections, but also seek to usher in movements that enable future policy change and advocacy. This year, we are continuing this work by launching a national platform, the Deep Democracy podcast, where we will be elevating the women and people of color who are leaders within movement building politics and belong at the center of our democracy. All of these women are thought leaders and activists in putting the American Rising Electorate (millennials, people of color, and unmarried women) at the centerpiece of electoral change. The premiere also comes as we are ramping up our local movement building work in the 2019 Boston municipal races.
Our first three episodes feature four women of color who are movement building professionals. Our March podcast features Aimee Allison, the Founder of She the People, an organization that is the leader in elevating the political voice and power of women of color by convening women of color candidates, strategists, and movement leaders. In April, we will connect with Tequila Johnson and Charlane Oliver, Founders of the Equity Alliance, a Nashville-based grassroots non-profit advocacy group that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. In May, we will speak with community organizer and writer, Clarissa Brooks, who is graduating from Spelman College. She has been on the frontlines of Georgia’s boldest student led protest movements.
While most have moved on from the historic victory that we helped usher in MA-07, where we increased voter turnout by 58.3%, the 2019 Boston municipal election is an opportunity to re-engage those voters - 49.6% were of which were first time primary voters. A slice of this new electorate, voting can be a game changer in a competitive Preliminary Election Day. Rivera Consulting, Inc is working with two candidates - re-election campaign for District 7 Boston City Councilor Kim Janey (D-Roxbury), and first-time candidate Alejandra St. Guillen who is running to become the next At Large Boston City Councilor.
Councilor Janey is a necessary leader in the city of Boston’s fight to remain equitable for all its residents. First elected in 2017, Kim represents Roxbury - a neighborhood that is the heart of Black culture and the Black community. In her first term, Kim has taken an intersectional approach in her legislation and advocacy when it comes to equity. We are making sure she is re-elected so that she can continue to lead on making the cannabis industry equitable and fair for minority owners.”
Rivera Consulting will also be working with Alejandra St. Guillen, in her candidacy for At-Large Boston City Councilor. Recently featured in the Boston Globe, her candidacy is already garnering attention. As a lifetime Bostonian, a parent, wife, and seasoned public advocate, she understands firsthand the opportunities for prosperity and mobility, as well as the multi-faceted obstacles that often deny these opportunities too many.
Here at Rivera Consulting Inc, we are at the forefront of movement building professionals by lifting up the national leaders, and running strong grassroots campaigns at the local level. Do not forget to subscribe to the podcast by signing up here and support electing more women of color running for office by contributing to their campaigns today.