“The Battle for Democracy in Michigan”
Saturday, March 25, 2023
10:00am - 12:00pm ET via Zoom
Guest Speakers: (speaker affiliations listed for educational purposes only)
Art Reyes
Executive Director,
Jennifer Root
Executive Director,
Moderated by:
Distinguished Lecturer in Labor Studies,
CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies
Click here to register for this virtual program.
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Civic Engagement & Leadership Development - Spring 2023 seminar:
The Battle for Democracy:
Voting Rights, Labor, and Electoral Power
Three virtual SATURDAY sessions:
Saturday, March 11 * Saturday, March 18 * Saturday, March 25
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (U.S. Eastern Time) * via Zoom
Participants attending all three Saturday sessions will receive a
Leadership Certificate from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies.
Click here to register for any or all of the three Saturday sessions of this seminar.
Seminar Description:
SLU’s Spring 2023 Civic Engagement and Leadership Development seminar will examine a range of on-the-ground electoral organizing in light of their potential and the challenges they face. The seminar will be led by Dr. Alethia Jones, Distinguished Lecturer in Labor Studies at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies.
During each of the Saturday sessions, guest speakers will discuss the work of organized labor and social justice organizations to advance racial, gender, and economic justice and environmental sustainability through mobilizing for voting rights and greater democracy. Particular attention will be paid to ongoing challenges related to aligning electoral work with the priorities of ongoing grassroots organizing and issue-based coalition-building.
Framing Questions:
- What are the chief challenges and opportunities confronting progressive forces currently seeking to bolster and deepen democracy?
- How have statewide organizations worked to expand the voter base, particularly among voters of color and poor and working-class voters?
- What role can unions play in building multi-racial coalitions and large-scale public support for progressive policy goals?
- What obstacles stand in the way of greater labor-community collaboration?
- How can electoral engagement be carried out in ways that maximize labor-community cooperation?
Session 1:
SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2023 - 10am - 12pm ET via Zoom:
“The Complexities of Electoral Power in New York”
Guest Speakers:
Sochie Nnameka - New York State Director, Working Families Party
Hae-Lin Choi - Political Director, Communication Workers of America, District 1
Session 2:
SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2023 - 10am - 12pm ET via Zoom:
“How and Why the Political Tides Are Turning in Georgia”
Guest Speakers:
Nsé Ufot - Former President, The New Georgia Project
Gerry Hudson - Former Secretary-Treasurer, Service Workers International Union
Session 3:
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023 - 10am - 12pm ET via Zoom:
“The Battle for Democracy in Michigan”
Guest Speakers:
Art Reyes III - Executive Director, We the People Michigan
Jennifer Root - Executive Director, SEIU Michigan
Sponsored by the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies
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