State Voices

"Women of color are often told by mainstream society that the things that make us unique are deficits. It’s not true, and we must remind ourselves of this every day. The things that make us different could be our greatest assets." "Every leader has their own sauce that makes them unique. I used to shy away from my vulnerability and emotional attunement, and how I learned that those traits are strengths. Attunement isn’t just my strength, it is my superpower." Our amazing Chief Executive Officer, Alexis Anderson-Reed, shares her leadership strategies that turned around our network in her new article, "Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: A Recipe for Building Strong Organizational Culture, Seasoned to Taste" with Aurora Commons. Read it today, and let us know: what is YOUR leadership superpower? https://lnkd.in/eyus2RZi

Our work to build a truly liberated, fully representative, multiracial democracy does not revolve around elections, it’s happening everyday. As State Voices President & CEO Alexis Anderson-Reed said, “As we close out the year, know that State Voices is ready to create the democracy we deserve — leveraging civic technology, people power, voting access, and issue advocacy that impacts people’s day to day lives — until we can all thrive and live in our full dignity.” Learn more: https://buff.ly/3VIbZFj

In 2024, we continued to put our money, where the power is — in our communities. With nearly $7.5 MILLION regranted to grassroots organizations, we were able to register over 841,000 voters. This work doesn’t stop until every voter is heard, each vote is counted, and elections are certified. State Voices 2024 End of Year Report, provides a look into the impact we made this year in communities, at the polls, and in our future → https://lnkd.in/gnehvRYf

In 2024, we all had something to vote for — whether it be access to quality public education, the ability to make a fair living wage no matter where you live, or ensuring everyone has access to affordable medical treatments. Our communities showed up and showed out to vote for the future we believe in. The State Voices Network’s people-powered movement goes beyond election season. Our movement is for the communities fighting for the future we deserve. Check out our 2024 End of Year Report for a look into our network’s powerful work this year. 🗳️ https://lnkd.in/gnehvRYf Thank you to all of our State Tables and Emerging States, including Alabama Forward, State Voices Florida, ProGeorgia, Kentucky Civic Engagement Table, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Maine Voices Network, Massachusetts Voter Table, Michigan Voices, Minnesota Voice, Missouri Organizing and Engagement Collaborative, Montana Voices, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, Silver State Voices, Center for Civic Policy, New York Civic Engagement Table, Blueprint North Carolina, Ohio Voice, Oregon State Voice, Pennsylvania Voice, Civic Tennessee, Virginia Civic Engagement Table, Wisconsin Civic Power Table, Washington Community Alliance, Alaska Voter Hub, Get Loud Arkansas, Alliance for a Better Iowa Education Fund, The Voter Network Kansas, We the People Coalition New Jersey, Let's Fix This, and Wyoming Civic Engagement Network! #StateVoices #EOY #VoteForSomething #StateVoicesNetwork #PeoplePower #GOTV #MovementBuilding #MultiracialDemocracy #ProDemocracy #DirectDemocracy #Civics

State Voices’ 2023-2024 Tools and Tech Guide is the result of months of research, testing, and planning and we’re thrilled to share it with you. See our recommendation for the latest tools and resources for our movement. https://lnkd.in/g4H87mvt #MovementTech #DemocratizeTech

On a recent episode of Sunday Civics on Sirius XM, “The Civic Power of Community,” Tamieka Atkins, Executive Director of ProGeorgia, Brad Christian-Sallis, Director of Power Building at the Nebraska Table, and James Hayes, Co-Director of Ohio Voice, discussed the future of civic engagement and deepening community building. https://lnkd.in/gfmmJHdH

Earlier this month, James Hayes, Co-Director of Ohio Voice, co-authored an op-ed with Petee Talley, convener of the Ohio Unity Coalition, in Dayton Daily News. “Issue One may have failed, but the fight to end gerrymandering continues” discusses the future of combatting gerrymandering in the state. As community activists, we meet voters of all backgrounds and affiliations and see firsthand the need for change. For years, we’ve worked on the ground in underrepresented communities — places disregarded by politicians. Our organizations fill gaps left by leaders who make it clear that certain voices matter less to them. This work will always continue, stronger than before, but the fact stands: politicians should not have the power to decide whose vote counts.” Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eCZBUK7x

“It is alarming that the House of Representatives decided today to greenlight a fast track to authoritarianism by passing HR 9495.  This dangerous and extreme legislation would grant the federal government virtually unchecked power to shut down any nonprofit organization on a whim, and poses an existential threat to critical civil society work on issues ranging from housing and fair wages to child care, education, the climate and much more. “There’s still time to defend free speech and protect our nation’s thriving system of nonprofits, and that starts with the Senate unequivocally rejecting this bill.  Regardless of party or ideology, we can all agree that our nation benefits from healthy debate, from nonprofit organizations that fill in gaps to make people’s lives better, and from a country that encourages diversity of views and opinions rather than quashes them. The Senate must stop HR 9495 from becoming law.” — Alexis Anderson-Reed, President of State Voices

“The fight for voting rights is one of the greatest litmus tests for the health of U.S. democracy. We are only as strong as our willingness to protect the rights of all people and not just a few. This moment calls us to action—we cannot afford paralysis in any shape or form. We are called to stand on the shoulders of the activists who came before us so that the elections of the future remain fair and free.” Following the 2024 election, voices within our movement are reiterating the need for unwavering vigilance on the state of U.S. democracy. State Voices President Alexis Anderson-Reed and Common Cause President & CEO Virginia Kase Solomon penned this insightful Common Dreams piece identifying the threats to democracy we face including Project 2025, and the opportunities we have to take action. #Project2025 #ProtectDemocracy #ElectionProtection #FairElections #Vigilance #MultiracialDemocracy #Disinformation https://lnkd.in/eMWZ9MJ5

While the noise around this election is as loud as ever, our north star of informing, protecting, and empowering our communities remains. This election was always about more than the two candidates running for president. It's about demonstrating that a better future and a stronger democracy is worth fighting for— that we are worth fighting for. We gained victories that mean something to our communities in this year, including protected reproductive rights, public education, and paid sick leave to name a few. Because we will keep fighting, we’ll continue to build power, care for our communities, and organize for our liberation. Because we will keep believing that freedom and a multiracial democracy is possible, and that we all deserve it. State Voices will double down on our deep, community-led organizing alongside communities of color. We’re in it for the long haul. Check out our latest blog “Community Is Worth Fighting For: Unpacking the 2024 Elections,” to learn more about our network’s impact this year: https://lnkd.in/e5_xzrKD