The Equity Alliance is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonpartisan and non-profit organization based in Nashville, TN with regional auxiliaries. It advocates for equitable opportunities and systems that improve the quality of life for Black people. The organization educates, empowers, and mobilizes Black people to take action and keep the government in check.

The Equity Alliance

The Equity Alliance proactively advocates for African Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream. We are a Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonpartisan, non-profit organization that seeks to equip citizens with tools and strategies to engage in the civic process and empower them to take action on issues affecting their daily lives. We believe in using our voting power as a weapon in the fight for social and economic justice.

Incredibly excited to speak at the Black Women’s Empowerment Summit tomorrow by The Equity Alliance I’ll be talking about the revolutionary act of Black love. 

Black love IS revolutionary because it defies stereotypes and systemic challenges and fosters well-being within our community. It's a powerful act of self-care and affirmation that strengthens our collective mental health.

#drmartinhere

The 5th annual Black Women's Empowerment Weekend kicks off tomorrow! 

Hear from our CEO, Tequila M Johnson, as she talks with Black Business Boom's Danielle McGee, about this week's event and the power of Black women in politics!

https://lnkd.in/ga4srBq5

In late March, our focus was on education and skill-building. In West Tennessee Organizing Manager, Chase Madkins gave a volunteer training focused on the importance of making our organizing activities accessible. That means taking into account location accessibility, financial barriers, and word choice. After the training, attendees were encouraged to write their own phone banking scripts to practice speaking about the work from a more personal voice.

In honor of Women's History Month, we hosted a statewide screening of Shirley, the new biopic on the life of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination for president AND the first Black woman elected to the US Congress. In West Tennessee, the Shirley screening doubled as the March Plug-In event. And, in Middle Tennessee, the screening was a part of our inaugural Harambee Happy Hour, a new monthly gathering designed to promote community building and conversation.

As Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm said, "You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas." We are excited to keep building upon our momentum and look forward to hosting even more community events and sparking change as we progress into 2024.

Subscribe to The BlackPrint newsletter for all the TEA on upcoming volunteer trainings and community events! https://lnkd.in/gbR2aYvX

Last month we kicked off our #MoneyMonday Series! Money Monday is a new initiative dedicated to helping college students become more financially empowered. On a few Mondays each month, we’re popping up on campuses and communities across the state to quiz participants on topics like investing, homeownership, bank accounts and more. Folks who participate in our financial literacy quizzes have a chance to win TEA swag and gift cards.

In February, we also hosted our first community organizing events of 2024! In West Tennessee, Regional Organizing Manager, Chase Madkins hosted a volunteer training and lit drop to help spread the word about February’s Plug-In: Renters’ Have Rights. We connected with some great volunteers and we’re looking forward to continue building momentum in West Tennessee.

The Plug-In was also a success! Realtor and author, Michael Robertson, III, was the guest speaker. He shared information on renters’ rights, how to use the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act (URLTA) to resolve landlord and tenant conflicts and gain clarity and fairness in housing disputes; as well as, resources for those interested in homeownership.

In Middle Tennessee, Youth Organizing Manager, Kayla Prowell hosted a Black History Month Textbank in collaboration with Vanderbilt University’s NAACP and Black Student Union. The groups met on Vanderbilt’s Campus to discuss the Primary Election and send text messages inviting Nashvillians to TEA’s Day on the Hill.

We’ve got some great things in the works for March, including our first Harambee Happy Hour, community screenings of the movie Shirley, two more volunteer trainings and many more opportunities to get plugged into the movement.

If you’re not already, make sure you’re subscribed to our bi-weekly newsletter, The BlackPrint, to be the first to know all the TEA! https://lnkd.in/gcE2D_GX

On Wednesday, we hosted our 3rd annual Day on the Hill! 

Day on the Hill is our annual event on Capitol Hill where we bring together a diverse group of community leaders, advocates, and legislators to promote a greater democracy for all. 

This year, with the support of our Memphis partners, G.A.M.E. Changers and Young, Gifted & Green, we brought 50 Memphis students to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators, attend hearings and even sit on the Senate floor. 

This was our biggest Day on the Hill yet, and we are so grateful for all of the attendees, volunteers, TEAm members, Capitol staff, and legislators who made our day unforgettable.

In the last couple of weeks, we’ve had several opportunities to connect the women leaders on Vanderbilt’s campus. In January, Communications Manager, Kalen Russell, was a panelist during Vanderbilt Career Center's Women in the Public Sector Week. Kalen was able to share how her experiences and passion for social justice shaped her career path and led her to The Equity Alliance. 

Earlier this month, Kalen and Youth Engagement Manager, Kayla Prowell, were able to meet with the Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Team ahead of their game against Ole Miss to discuss The Equity Alliance’s work and share opportunities for the team to get involved in the justice movement. 

This year, we're putting youth at the forefront, and we're excited to engage in more conversations and direct action with our fellow student leaders this semester! #AnchorDown

ORG:THEEQUITYALLIANCE

The Equity Alliance