Coalition Building Ted Lewis

Today’s Agenda Context - Who is Ted Lewis?

Today’s Agenda Context - Who is Ted Lewis? Grounding Our Work in Intersectionality

Today’s Agenda Context - Who is Ted Lewis? Grounding Our Work in Intersectionality What is Coalition Building?

Today’s Agenda Context - Who is Ted Lewis? Grounding Our Work in Intersectionality What is Coalition Building? Example of Successful Coalition Building – LGBTQ+ Rights Movement & Immigration Reform Movement

Today’s Agenda Context - Who is Ted Lewis? Grounding Our Work in Intersectionality What is Coalition Building? Example of Successful Coalition Building – LGBTQ+ Rights Movement & Immigration Reform Movement Applying The Model to Your Needs

Today’s Agenda Context - Who is Ted Lewis? Grounding Our Work in Intersectionality What is Coalition Building? Example of Successful Coalition Building – LGBTQ+ Rights Movement & Immigration Reform Movement Applying The Model to Your Needs Questions & Discussion

Context - Who is Ted? 10 years experience in Higher Education focused on LGBTQ+ student services particularly in the South LeaderShape Co-Lead since 2012 Community organizing experience with several groups including SONG, SURJ, and Campus Pride Currently serve as Executive Director of Side by Side, a LGBTQ+ youth center in Richmond, VA White with multiracial parents, genderqueer, queer, middle- class, able-bodied, fat, fabulous, Virginian in snazzy glasses and a bowtie!

Thank you to SONG (Southerners On New Ground) A Queer Liberation organization made up of people of color, immigrants, undocumented people, people with disabilities, working class and rural and small town, LGBTQ people in the South. We believe that we are bound together by a shared desire for ourselves, each other, and our communities to survive and thrive. We believe that Community Organizing is the best way for us to build collective power and transform the South. Out of this belief we are committed to building freedom movements rooted in southern traditions like community organizing, political education, storytelling, music, breaking bread, resistance, humor, performance, critical thinking, and celebration. (http://southernersonnewground.org/)

What is Intersectionality? “Black women are sometimes excluded from feminist theory and antiracist policy discourse because both are predicated on discrete set of experiences that does not accurately reflect the interaction of race and gender … Because the intersectional experience is greater than the sum of racism and sexism, any analysis that does not take intersectionality into account cannot sufficiently address the particular manner in which Black women are subordinated.” -Kimberle Crenshaw, “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics (1989)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Ability Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Ability Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Socio-Economic Status Ability Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Socio-Economic Status Ability Ethnicity Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Sexual Orientation Socio-Economic Status Ability Ethnicity Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Sexual Orientation Socio-Economic Status Ability Ethnicity Religion & Faith Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Socio-Economic Status Ability Ethnicity Religion & Faith Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

Intersectionality vs. Intersecting Identities Race Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Socio-Economic Status Age Ability Ethnicity Religion & Faith Model of Multiple Dimensions of Development (Abes, Jones, & McEwen, 2007)

What is Coalition Building? (isn’t it just partnering? – NO!) an "organization of organizations" united around a common issue and clear goal(s); however, sometimes the term “coalition” is used to refer to groups of diverse individuals or organizations of individuals who are involved in other groups as well. (GSA Network)

What is Coalition Building? (isn’t it just partnering? – NO!) an "organization of organizations" united around a common issue and clear goal(s); however, sometimes the term “coalition” is used to refer to groups of diverse individuals or organizations of individuals who are involved in other groups as well. (GSA Network) Deeper than a one-time partnership, because it’s about goal sharing and community building

What is Coalition Building? (isn’t it just partnering? – NO!) an "organization of organizations" united around a common issue and clear goal(s); however, sometimes the term “coalition” is used to refer to groups of diverse individuals or organizations of individuals who are involved in other groups as well. (GSA Network) Deeper than a one-time partnership, because it’s about goal sharing and community building Takes time, strategy, and work!

All organizations are coalitions With the many identities, personalities, goals, needs, etc. that people bring to an organization or group, we should acknowledge that on some level all organizations are coalitions of diverse people coming together sometimes because of a shared identity, shared purpose, shared interest, or shared goal. What work are you doing to uplift everyone’s wholeness within your organization?

A Model for Coalition Building Focus on meaningful community connections around shared emotions, experiences, and language

A Model for Coalition Building Focus on meaningful community connections around shared emotions, experiences, and language Issues and goals are always a secondary focus

A Model for Coalition Building Focus on meaningful community connections around shared emotions, experiences, and language Issues and goals are always a secondary focus Building relationships prior to building the work

A Model for Coalition Building Focus on meaningful community connections around shared emotions, experiences, and language Issues and goals are always a secondary focus Building relationships prior to building the work “If you don’t party together, it’s not a coalition.” – Paulina Helm-Hernandez, co-director of SONG

A Model for Coalition Building Focus on meaningful community connections around shared emotions, experiences, and language Issues and goals are always a secondary focus Building relationships prior to building the work “If you don’t party together, it’s not a coalition.” – Paulina Helm-Hernandez, co-director of SONG Centering those who live at the intersection of the coalition and/or those most marginalized

Your Organization, Department, Etc. Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Your Organization, Department, Etc.

Your Organization, Department, Etc. Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Your Organization, Department, Etc. Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group?

Your Organization, Department, Etc. Potential Partner Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group? Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Your Organization, Department, Etc. Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group?

Individuals Who Live at this Intersection Potential Partner Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group? Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Individuals Who Live at this Intersection Identify specific issues, concerns, or areas to work together Prioritize feelings, emotions, and points of connection Your Organization, Department, Etc. Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group?

LGBTQ+ Rights “the only one” “the closet” Pride! exploring identity employment discrimination HIV/AIDS health care police brutality harassment and violence bullying teen suicide legal recognition of identity LGBTQ+ Rights coming out “the closet” Pride! exploring identity losing family “the only one” feeling isolated

Immigration changing language “the shadows” community voting rights legal status forced deportations police brutality harassment and violence employment discrimination suicide education health care Immigration disclosing status “the shadows” community disconnected from family fear changing language feeling isolated

LGBTQ+ Rights LGBTQ+ Immigrants Immigration “coming out” sense of belonging feeling isolated need for recognition LGBTQ+ Rights LGBTQ+ Immigrants Immigration employment health care marriage HIV/AIDS census

Centering Those Living at the intersection Leadership from people living the intersection of the coalition

Centering Those Living at the intersection Leadership from people living the intersection of the coalition Prioritizing of voices, concerns, and critiques from people living at the intersection

Centering Those Living at the intersection Leadership from people living the intersection of the coalition Prioritizing of voices, concerns, and critiques from people living at the intersection Recognizing our own identities and privileges and checking ourselves

Common pitfalls of coalition building Lack of honest and open communication

Common pitfalls of coalition building Lack of honest and open communication Lack of transparency in decision making, or decision making that is uneven or unfair

Common pitfalls of coalition building Lack of honest and open communication Lack of transparency in decision making, or decision making that is uneven or unfair Goals that are not clear, attainable, and measurable

Common pitfalls of coalition building Lack of honest and open communication Lack of transparency in decision making, or decision making that is uneven or unfair Goals that are not clear, attainable, and measurable No real relationship building work, solely focus on goal setting instead of community building

How do I even get started? (start with you!) Recognize that your organization, department, or group is already a coalition! (What work are you doing to uplift everyone’s wholeness within your organization?)

How do I even get started? (start with you!) Recognize that your organization, department, or group is already a coalition! (What work are you doing to uplift everyone’s wholeness within your organization?) Provide space for group members to share their other activities, connections, identities, interests, etc.

How do I even get started? (start with you!) Recognize that your organization, department, or group is already a coalition! (What work are you doing to uplift everyone’s wholeness within your organization?) Provide space for group members to share their other activities, connections, identities, interests, etc. Practice collective vision work and goal setting within your group

How do I even get started? (Finding a collaborator) Identify logical partners (who is already your comrade in this work?)

How do I even get started? (Finding a collaborator) Identify logical partners (who is already your comrade in this work?) Find common membership (who in your group is already living at this particular intersection?)

How do I even get started? (Finding a collaborator) Identify logical partners (who is already your comrade in this work?) Find common membership (who in your group is already living at this particular intersection?) Engage in meaningful dialogue and relationship building

How do I even get started? (Finding a collaborator) Identify logical partners (who is already your comrade in this work?) Find common membership (who in your group is already living at this particular intersection?) Engage in meaningful dialogue and relationship building SHOW UP! Publicly support the programs, events, and efforts of your collaborators.

How do I even get started? (Goal Setting) BIG! Yet also attainable.

How do I even get started? (Goal Setting) BIG! Yet also attainable. Meaningful to all collaborators.

How do I even get started? (Goal Setting) BIG! Yet also attainable. Meaningful to all collaborators. Measurable (must envision the win!)

Individuals Who Live at this Intersection Potential Partner Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group? Areas of Focus Concerns Major Issues Goals What are you working on? Individuals Who Live at this Intersection Identify specific issues, concerns, or areas to work together Prioritize feelings, emotions, and points of connection Your Organization, Department, Etc. Emotions Phrases Points of Connection What do people feel when they are working with your group?

Questions & Discussion Ted.l.lewis@gmail.com