Power Station

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#113 Lizette Escobedo, NALEO May 04, 2020

Show notes

Can we ensure that the Decennial Census, our most inclusive civic enterprise, will not become a casualty of the COVID19 pandemic? The answer is unfolding in real time. Nonprofits have spent years mounting campaigns to combat an historical undercount in communities of color, of children, immigrants and LGBTQ people. Fortunately, some people and organizations, thrive in challenging times and that is definitely the case with Lizette Escobedo, who directs the Census 2020 campaign for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). Lizette leads operations in 6 states where Latinx communities stand ready to be counted, despite the president's attempt to add a citizenship question to the Census. Lizette is motivated by a desire to see her community counted so that more federal resources are deployed as needed and district lines are drawn equitably. And she sees opportunity in the chaos: a longer timeline, tech companies stepping up to create hot spots and a deepened staff capacity to operate digitally. NALEO is balancing the devastating impact of COVID19 on their staff and community with their drive to produce a representative count. There is so much in this conversation to inform and inspire.

Power Station with Ana Ndumu Apr 27, 2020

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Gallup polls indicate that Americans have lost confidence in Congress, the courts and the media but one institution, the library, remains a trusted resource. Libraries provide access to books, computers, literacy classes, and social services, often in partnership with nonprofits. And while we may perceive libraries as static, they are evolving organizations. In fact, the American Library Association, in conjunction with national civil rights groups, spent 2019 preparing to become the go-to resource for those lacking digital connectivity, to complete their 2020 Census. Now, given closures due to the pandemic, libraries are pivoting again. They continue to serve communities and advocate for a complete Census count, primarily digitally. And some institutional change is inspired by librarians themselves. Ana Ndumu, Assistant Professor of Information Services at the University of Maryland, has become a leading library influencer. She identifies ways in which libraries can overcome social exclusion of marginalized communities, primarily Black diasporic immigrants. Her work demonstrates the value of acculturation over assimilation and supports a growing movement of libraries trading neutrality for inclusion. #Changemaking.

#111 Indivar Dutta-Gupta Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

We are all uncertain about life in an ongoing global pandemic. We know that conditions are most dire for those who have lost family members, jobs, and housing. And this time is dizzying for nonprofits and think tanks whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the most impacted communities. The issues they have worked on for decades are suddenly leading the national conversation. As Co-Executive Director of the Center on Poverty and Inequality at Georgetown University, Indivar Duta-Gupta grapples with what are often considered intractable problems. His tools include socio-economic research, legislative strategies and advocacy with policy makers. We talk about the potential for bold systemic change at a time when so much, from health, to policing, to housing is at stake. It is a sobering and a hopeful conversation. Change is possible when leaders like Indi pave the way.

#110 Rebecca Sive Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

In 110 Power Station episodes, one consistent theme resonates: The ability to advance progressive change is based in intentionality. It starts with documenting inequities, analyzing who is impacted, building a constituency of impacted people, and advocating for the policies and resources required to achieve systemic change. Rebecca Sive is a change maker. She champions women's leadership in politics, corporations and nonprofits. As she points out, no sector, including nonprofits, is immune to the sexism and racism that blocks women from executive leadership and diminishes their voices within organizational structures. Her new book, Vote Her In, is a guide to electing the first woman president and her podcast of the same name is a platform for women who have toppled glass ceilings and have lessons to share. And while Rebecca is disheartened that four highly qualified women did not rise to become our democratic candidate for President, she is not defeated. She believes the movement for a woman president is growing. And she is seizing every opportunity to challenge structural sexism and racism to elect more women to all levels of political office. Her message to us all: Stand up and be counted. In this collective endeavor, intentionality is everything.

#109 John Yang, AAJC Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

As a nation, we are learning, in real time, how to function and survive in a pandemic. We look for national leadership rooted in integrity and competence. And we are finding that, not in our president, but from governors, mayors, medical professionals and, while less recognized, nonprofit leaders. Nonprofits continue to serve communities, even in a lock-down. Housing groups are organizing online for spending bills that support lowest-income renters, homeless people and shelter providers. Nonprofit credit unions are counseling small business owners in how to sustain themselves in an economic shutdown. And Asian Americans Advancing Justice/AAJC advocates for all communities to participate in Census 2020. It is also working with a cohort of AAPI serving organizations to track a terrible upswing in violence against Asian Americans. John believe that this violence is entirely predictable given a president who has used every opportunity to identify COVID19 as the Chinese or Wuhan virus. John shares his thoughts on tracking hate, generating support through congressional resolutions, and managing an organization whose staff is working harder than ever.

#108 Celinda Lake Mar 30, 2020

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Think about this: messaging campaigns about complex issues, from climate change to drug pricing, have 280 characters in a tweet (up from 140) and less then 20 seconds of audio, to inform and persuade. Celinda Lake, renowned pollster and political strategist, helps labor unions, nonprofit advocates and political hopefuls to craft messages based on feedback from focus groups, surveys and message testing. Celinda says that Lake Research Partners approaches its work with two core values, the importance of government and the imperative of inclusivity to advance progressive social change. When issues are reframed based on these values, the resulting messages change how issues, organizations and politicians are perceived. It turns out that empathy, not fear, motivates people to respond with an open mind. Celinda speaks to the potential of increasing community engagement during a global pandemic, from early voting in the 2020 elections to a more robust online response to Census 2020. Celinda Lake is an invaluable leader in her field.

#107 Carla Decker, DC Credit Union Mar 23, 2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed our nation's broken systems but has also revealed what works. As our president equivocates about what can be done, mayors and governors are stepping up to fill the void. They are setting up testing sites, procuring ventilators, and building hospital units. And nonprofit leaders are using their resources to keep families and communities whole. Carla Decker, President and CEO of DC Credit Union, is maintaining 2 open branches (with social distancing) to serve members. They include dislocated workers from DC's normally booming hospitality industry, many new immigrants and multi-generational African American households who are not adequately served by mainstream financial institutions. Credit union members receive access to credit, flexible underwriting, help in sending remittances to their home countries and the support that only a staff with shared experiences cannot provide. Carla is a leader in the credit union, CDFI and cooperative movements, both locally and through her considerable national networks. Hers is the voice we are fortunate to hear now.

Power Station with Dr. Brian Smedley Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

It is safe to say that we are living in extremely stressful times. The president rules more than governs and his rhetoric and policies reflect and encourage overt acts of racism and sexism. His relentless focus on border walls and deportations have created chaos in immigrant communities. And now we are grappling with COVID-19, a pandemic for which we are unprepared, and which the president framed in xenophobic terms. The failure to respond quickly to this crisis raises questions about our health care system, insurance industry, income security for low wage workers, and access to food for children when public schools are closed. And a national conversation is taking place about the toll these conditions are taking on our physical and mental health. The American Psychological Association engages its 118,000 members in advocating for public policies that meet human needs and combat racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia and more. Dr. Brian Smedley, APA's Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest, talks about how using science to separate bias from fact. A moving and important conversation.

#105 George Jones, Bread for the City Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

What happens when a nonprofit decides to make a shift and tackle its mission at a deeper level? That is the journey that Bread for the City, frontline service provider to Washington DC's lowest-income residents started on 8 years ago. Since its founding in 1974, BFC has been the go-to resource for people in need of food, clothing, medical and legal assistance. It modeled how to provide high-quality services with, as BFC promises, "dignity, respect and justice." The shift began in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin killing, which jarred the community, including BFC's staff. That tragedy spurred a conversation about the deep-seated impacts of structural racism in Black and Brown communities. Chief Executive Officer, George Jones began to reconsider his race neutral approach to the work. He signed himself up, with staff and community members, for an 'Undoing Racism' workshop, which examined how racist policies created the conditions faced by those seeking their help. This transformative experience led to the addition of community organizing and advocacy as key pillars of its work. George Jones continues the journey, with intentionality and commitment.

#104 Sarah Saadian, NLIHC Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

What makes an advocacy organization exceptional? It starts with a vision for tackling inequity that centers constituents in advocating for themselves. In the case of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, it is also dedication to social policy that ensures decent housing for our nation's lowest-income renters. These are residents of public and subsidized housing - families with children, seniors, the disabled and low-wage workers - who are often one step away from homelessness. The Coalition achieves its mission through an integrated set of strategies: communications, organizing, and data-driven advocacy. As Sarah Saadian, VP of Public Policy, explains, the Coalition is laser focused on building congressional support for federal housing appropriations with residents engaged in the advocacy. The current proposed 15% funding cut to federal housing programs by the President, if implemented, would certainly lead to increased homelessness. And the same can be said for rollbacks proposed by HUD Secretary Ben Carson, whose lack of understanding of his own agency's mission is alarming. Sarah walks us through the Coalition's proven approach to advocacy, a difficult road leading to consistent and significant wins.

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