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As we approach the end of 2023, we want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we've shared this year. Throughout these twelve months, Tides Advocacy has been dedicated to deepening our commitment to liberation as the guiding principle that energizes our work. As a labor of love, we've taken significant steps towards transforming a 25-year institution through our pro-Black framework in pursuit of justice and centering movements
We know that young people are the future of our democracy and our conversation with Hairo Cortes, Founder and Executive Director of Chispa, only further emphasizes how important it is to not just include but center our organizing strategies around the leadership of young people
Welcome to Beyond Impact 2023, where the power of transformation meets the heartbeat of political change. As one of the only 501(c)(4) strategy and learning spaces, Beyond Impact exists to serve and strengthen the advocacy infrastructure of movement leaders passionate about igniting a revolutionary shift in the political landscape of the United States. Our mission goes beyond envisioning change; we are committed to aligning organizational practices, visions, and resources to create sustainable platforms for BIPOC-led political organizing.
Partner Stories
We know that young people are the future and our conversation with Hairo Cortes, Founder and Executive Director of Chispa, only further emphasizes how important it is to center our organizing strategies around the leadership of young people. In this feature in our Black Love Rising series, Hairo talks about a different side of Orange County and the work he’s doing at his organization to create a political home for young Latinos and immigrant communities so they can get their voices heard and effect real change in a region that hasn’t always represented their interests
We’re honored to have spent time in conversation with Maru Mora Villalpando, Founder of La Resistencia, one of Tides Advocacy’s grantee partners. Based in Tacoma, Washington, this nonprofit organization is doing incredibly important work to empower those impacted by the immigration enforcement system and end the unjust treatment of undocumented immigrants in this country.
For our latest #BlackLoveRising feature, we spoke with Resha Thomas, Program Director at Texas Black Action Fund, a project of Tides Advocacy, on what inspires her work and the challenges and opportunities that come with building Black civic engagement in the great state of Texas.
Lead Locally joined Tides Advocacy in 2016 to engage and organize around local elections that don’t get very much attention or resources in areas where pollution impacts will be disproportionately felt by low-income communities and communities of color. Their community organizing is stopping fossil fuel projects before they get started. "No one else offers the kind and level of support that Tides Advocacy does around c4 and electoral work.”
There are only three states with a law restricting former felons’ right to vote, and in Florida, the problem is at its worst. In 2017, Tides Advocacy partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to get the Voting Restoration Amendment (Amendment 4) on the ballot. They are now inspiring a movement of thousands locally and nationally.
The environmental movement has historically been white-led and is only now starting to address racial justice in its work. Tides Advocacy provided multi-year seed funding, strategic support, and fiscal sponsorship to create CEJA Action, which works with community-based environmental justice groups to increase their electoral power. CEJA Action is now a strong presence in Sacramento, taking positions on state measures and helping elect environmental justice champions into office.
Beyond Impact Blog
As of February 1, Tides Advocacy is now operating under a new name: Beyond Impact.
After seven visionary years as the inaugural full-time CEO of Tides Advocacy, Romy Avila has made the thoughtful –but difficult decision to embark on a new chapter. Under Romy’s leadership, our organization has expanded its reach and deepened its impact, fostering a culture of radical love and unwavering perseverance that has driven us to challenge the increments of change and strive for transformation.
Tides Advocacy is proud to be the nation’s first pro-Black fiscal sponsor, steered by dynamic leaders who believe in the value of revolutionary love and building strong, pro-Black movements. To kick off Black History/Futures Month, we chatted with our Chief Strategy Officer, Renita Francois. Check out her reflections on strategy, what funders can learn, channeling the energy of Malcolm X and Fannie Lou Hamer, and her experience advocating for Black folks in New York in the latest installment of our Black Love Rising campaign
We are pursuing liberation, and one essential element often overlooked is the profound power of love in building political infrastructure. Love, as James Baldwin fiercely reminds us, can remove the masks we wear and transcend the barriers we've constructed. It is the force that unites, strengthens, and nourishes us in the face of adversity. But supporting love when it's challenging, when it's not recognized as a critical tool for power, and especially when it feels isolating, can be daunting
We’re honored to have spent time in conversation with Maru Mora Villalpando, Founder of La Resistencia, one of Tides Advocacy’s grantee partners. Based in Tacoma, Washington, this nonprofit organization is doing incredibly important work to empower those impacted by the immigration enforcement system and end the unjust treatment of undocumented immigrants in this country.
For our latest #BlackLoveRising feature, we spoke with Resha Thomas, Program Director at Texas Black Action Fund, a project of Tides Advocacy, on what inspires her work and the challenges and opportunities that come with building Black civic engagement in the great state of Texas.
Our Chief Program Officer, Renita Francois, has been appointed Deputy Mayor for Community Safety in the administration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.