ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES
Empower DC’s community organizing is guided by these principles:- Work with groups of people who share a common problem
- Develop leadership through training and providing leadership opportunities
- Develop the self-confidence of leaders and potential leaders
- Support groups to develop action plans and implement them
- Use the media to inform the larger community about issues and to gain support
- Use confrontation when necessary to force a recalcitrant target to negotiate or resolve an issue
- Leaders, rather than staff, set the agenda for the organization and carry it out
Empower DC organizes with low- and moderate-income residents of DC. We are most engaged with Black communities living in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8. These communities are often neglected by the city’s leadership, or targeted for change that will not benefit current residents. Our current community organizing campaign focuses on saving and improving public housing.
For a great introduction to community organizing, watch veteran organizer Roger Newell lead one of Empower DC’s most popular Empowerment Circles, Community Organizing 101.