Our training program, G.O.T. Power, has had a very exciting month. Jacob and Allison facilitated our first weekend-long Core Organizer Training January 20-22. Twenty-five participants from across the city participated in this weekend of learning the foundational skills of grassroots community organizing. Participants joined us from organizations such as Youth for Youth, Memphis Center for Independent Living, ADAPT, Workers Interfaith Network, Obama for America, Grow Memphis, and Landmark Training. We all learned so much together in this intensive weekend, and we look forward to offering the training in this format again soon.
Speaking of the next Core Organizer Training, we are thrilled to announce that our next training will be offered in Spanish this spring for the rapidly and powerfully growing Latino community of organizers in the Mid-South. Details to be announced soon. Contact allison@midsouthpeace.org to be placed on the wit-list for this training.
A Support and Development training is was offered this Sunday by Laura Sullivan, Emotional Support for Activists. This workshop offered support, release and rejuvenation to those working for world change. MSPJC got a big shout out from national anti-racist activist and author Victor Lee Lewis when he wrote, “This is super awesome. We cannot win the struggle for social justice and create the health and happiness we need to enjoy it, except for work like this. Thank you, MSPJC, for supporting this empowered vision.” This workshop will be offered again in the near future, so email allison@midsouthpeace.org to be put on the wait list.
And finally we wanted to report on the statewide training work we’re engaged in as a part of supporting the Tennessee Statewide Movement Circle. This two day convening will bring together leaders and organizers of grassroots organizations from across TN to have conversations and take action to build collective power that is based and controlled by grassroots communities. G.O.T. Power has the unique opportunity through this statewide initiative to be developing the training alongside national organizations, Center for Community Change and Green for All. What an amazing opportunity for the MSPJC and for our community!