“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.” This quote is on a plaque on the roof patio above the USDA cafeteria here in Washington, reports Steven Beasley of AFSCME 3976, which represents workers at USDA. "Powerful stuff and in line with AFSCME principles and the original feelings many of us had when we formed Local 3976 in the early 90’s." “You have a story to tell; we want to hear it!” says award-winning writer Mark Nowak. DC workers are invited to participate in a free writing workshop with Nowak on April 16, part of this year’s DC LaborFest. For more than a decade, Nowak has been running creative writing workshops with worker centers and trade unions, helping workers put their stories to paper. Space is limited; click here to RSVP. 14 Primary Election is May 15. For the Maryland primary on April 26 the voter registration deadline is April 5. Click here for the latest 2016 Metro Council Political Calendar.
- David Dzidzienyo Longtime labor strategist and organizer Ken Grossinger will lead Democracy Partners’ new Impact Philanthropy and Donor Advising Division. Cognizant of the growing role that arts and culture, including film, are playing in the social justice arena, the impact philanthropy division is developing model programs to guide investments in this area. "Funders are focusing more and more on impact,” said Grossinger, who’s also co-founder and Chair of the CrossCurrents Foundation, which supports the annual DC Labor FilmFest and LaborFest. |