Lightswitch Moment: A Case Study of Step Up LA's Organizer In Training

Thursday August 7 - 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Over the last 3 years, Step Up has hosted 5 Organizer in Training cohorts and graduated 65 organizers from a 12-week program. What makes Step Up Louisiana's training special is that it hosts a rigorous training program within a fighting community organization that does election civic engagement work, labor organizing, community organizing, and advocacy. The session will include a screening of a brief documentary about 2024's Fall for Liberation Organizer in Training program and an analysis of how we scaled to 43 graduates. We will discuss organization considerations like staffing structures and dive deep into an analysis of what made certain Organizers in Training successful and others not and what it takes to develop powerful organizers.

How Southern Workers Are Organizing and Gaining Ground

Friday August 8 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

In an era marked by poverty, racism, and inequality, Southern workers are at the forefront of a revitalizing labor movement. Labor’s resurgence is critical to the next era of Southern politics. This panel will delve into the transformative strategies being employed to empower some of the most undervalued sectors of the workforce. Participants will gain insights into the transformational leadership development, sharp corporate campaigning, and strategic direct actions that catalyzed movements for economic changes across the South. These methods have led to notable victories and critical narrative shifts for heat protections, wage increases, and improved safety measures showing a path forward for organizing in challenging environments.

Moderator - Kenya Slaughter Step Up Louisiana

Panelists

Oscar Lonodoño - We Count!

David Williams - Step Up Louisiana

Ben Wilkins - USSW