Crisis Organizing 

Welcome to the specialized training program I offer called Crisis Organizing. Drawing from my firsthand experience as an activist during the Flint water crisis, I understand the urgency and importance of bringing national attention to critical situations. This training is specifically designed to provide individuals and communities with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively address crises and advocate for their immediate needs.

During the Flint water crisis, I played a significant role in mobilizing national support and raising awareness about the dire situation. Recognizing the power of national attention, I emphasize in this training how to effectively engage with legislatures, the media, leverage social platforms, and utilize grassroots organizing to bring visibility to the crisis and rally support from across the country.

One significant aspect of crisis organizing is addressing the structures and systems that may hinder progress and exacerbate the crisis. Additionally, I actively participated in efforts to remove emergency management and the RTAB board that hindered progress and exacerbated the crisis. Through my training, I share valuable insights and strategies on how to develop targeted advocacy campaigns, build strong coalitions, and engage with decision-makers to promote accountability and facilitate the necessary changes. By empowering communities to unite, raise their voices, and demand change, we can work towards dismantling obstacles that impede progress.

Crises affecting communities go beyond immediate needs and have long-lasting effects on various aspects of daily life. Thus crisis organizing goes beyond addressing immediate needs; it also focuses on long-term solutions and community empowerment. In this training, we delve into comprehensive community organizing strategies that encompass a wide range of issues impacted by the crisis, including health concerns, environmental justice, access to clean water, and more. By equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to address these broader issues, we can work towards holistic and sustainable change.

The success of crisis organizing relies on learning from past experiences and collaborating with other affected communities.  I highlight successful case studies, such as the work done in Hoosick Falls, New York, which faced a similar crisis. By examining these stories and drawing lessons from their experiences, participants gain valuable insights into effective crisis organizing strategies that can be adapted to their own unique contexts.

Through this specialized training, individuals and communities will gain a deeper understanding of crisis management, community organizing principles, and effective strategies to advocate for their immediate needs and long-term goals. I am committed to providing participants with the necessary tools, guidance, and support to navigate the complexities of crisis organizing and drive meaningful change.

Together, we will work towards empowering communities, amplifying their voices, and creating a stronger foundation for social and environmental justice.