March 2023
HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING
Already we’re off to a great start! In early February, Pennsylvania’s state House officially flipped blue for the first time in more than a decade when Democrats won all three special elections for vacant seats. Democratic control will stop the state GOP in its tracks from further restricting voting rights and reproductive access. We’re so proud to support our Partner Group, Pennsylvania Stands Up, who’ve been so tireless in bringing progressive change to Pennsylvania.
And now it’s on to Wisconsin to flip the state Supreme Court blue:
Progressive Janet Protasiewicz (aka Judge Janet) was the top vote getter in February’s primary, and now faces ultra-conservative Dan Kelly in the April 4 run-off. Airlift Partner Group Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) has already been instrumental in educating communities and turning out voters, particularly young ones, for the primary. Now they’re ramping up even more, knocking on 50,000 doors in Milwaukee and La Crosse and phoning young voters across the state with voter information and assistance. They’re also sending two mailers to young voters statewide outlining the issues at stake: the future of abortion and voting rights, gerrymandering, collective bargaining, and even the 2024 presidential race.
Airlift is proud to kick off the year with a special investment in LIT so we can win a progressive majority on the court. Ben Wikler, head of Wisconsin Democrats, headlined our first Live from the Frontlines! event, raising over $20,000 to help LIT keep turning out every single vote we need for this crucial election. If you missed the event, you can watch Ben Wikler explain and inspire here. This race is winnable if we all do our part! It’s not too late to make a special contribution to LIT, but donate ASAP–the election is in less than a month.
WELCOME TO AIRLIFT’S NEWEST PARTNERS
Airlift has always supported new progressive groups across the country. We’re excited to introduce our two new Partner Groups for the 2023-24 election cycle: Black Male Initiative Fund in Georgia, and One APIA Nevada. Each group focuses on vital communities that have suffered from severe under-investment: Black Men and Asian Pacific Islander Americans. Welcome!
Black men make up the second most significant Democratic and progressive voter bloc (after Black women). Still, they’re often depicted as disengaged and blamed for electoral losses. Georgia’s Black Male Initiative Fund (BMIF) combats this false narrative. Adding an electoral focus to their five pillars of Civic Engagement, Mental Health and Wellness, Economic Empowerment, Criminal Justice, and Education, BMIF builds community and political power among Black men in the metro-Atlanta area as well as other hubs throughout Georgia. This emerging group has shown amazing reach and growth, meeting people where they are and building community as well as political power. BMIF hit the ground running for the Senate campaigns and run-offs in the last two election cycles, and are currently focused on 2023’s municipal elections. Then it’s on to 2024. BMIF is poised to make a huge difference in Georgia’s future.
Nevada’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community has grown more than 225% since 2000. This diverse group is a new political powerhouse. One APIA Nevada was founded in 2018 with a mission to advance the interests of these often-overlooked communities through issue advocacy and electoral work.
This vibrant grassroots organization already has an impressive track record. They’re especially skilled at increasing engagement and turnout of younger voters while also connecting with the older immigrant population. With outreach in 14 languages (complete with K-Pop concerts and petting zoos at community events!), they were instrumental in turning out the vote to re-elect Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, flip the Secretary of State office blue, and secure other victories at the national, state, and local levels in 2022. Check out their Why I Vote video, widely disseminated before the mid-terms. In 2023, One APIA Nevada’s focus will be on the state legislative session and preparing for 2024, when the presidency and Nevada’s Senate race will headline this all-important swing state.
DOWN HOME NORTH CAROLINA CREATES FUTURE LEADERS
Dreama Caldwell understands the challenges rural working people face as they try to achieve positions of political leadership. She also understands the importance of getting them into these positions. “The people who are most impacted are also closest to the solutions,” Dreama notes. She herself–a single mom who once lost her daycare business due to an employee mistake and ended up in jail because she couldn’t afford bail–saw a flyer for a community meeting held by Down Home North Carolina. Dreama went to the meeting, became a member, and is now Down Home’s Executive Co-Director.
To bring talented potential community leaders who do not grow up with the money and connections typically required to rise up through the political ranks, Dreama and her Co-Director, Todd Zimmer, developed a six-month paid Fellowship Program last year. The goal? To train members of rural communities to be activists and leaders. Femi Shittu is in charge of training. Her strategy is simple: “If you pay attention to your base, your base will always let you know what they need.”
Down Home made sure that the Fellows represented a diversity of life experience and that they were from all regions of rural North Carolina. Their ages range from 26 to 76.
The youngest fellow, Alonza Ramirez, was raised in a family that figured prominently in the community; people would come to her family with issues and her family would figure out how to solve them. As she told Femi, “I guess that’s organizing but we never called it that.” Femi recognized Alonza’s “innate organizer mind,” and was excited to provide her with Fellowship support. “She really blossomed,” Femi noted proudly.
The oldest fellow, Mark Ortiz, started his activism protesting the Viêt Nam war. Femi said, “He brought a lot of experience and was a stand-out canvasser and door knocker. That really galvanized the rest of the cohort.”
And then there is Donna Vanhook, who combined her training as a Fellow with running for office. Donna ran for the Soil and Water Board and was the only Democratic candidate in Alamance County to win. Donna, in her sixties, is a pastor and a community strategist. She has always connected people and organizations, but, until recently, was not involved with politics. The Fellowship gave her some tools: How to obtain endorsements, deep canvass, and knock on lots of doors. Donna continued, “I learned some things that allowed me to advocate for myself. I had to learn how my experience as a Black woman contributed to my message. And that’s particularly important as someone running on the issue of environmental justice. Femi was very good at helping me center my Black womanhood and also to celebrate it. We share some perspectives in this political realm.”
The Fellowship training was not only useful, but fun. Donna canvassed with a woman the same age as her older sister. “Mostly we just laughed about life,” she said, but what keeps them both going is “wanting to see a difference!”
As Donna says, “If you want to see change you have to put the work in. You got to put your hand to the plow.”
The Fellows will continue to have support from DHNC as they pursue their future as activists. Femi says, “I let them know they have a friend in me.” And because of Down Home’s Fellowship Program, North Carolina has a whole new generation of progressive leaders who come from and want to give back to the communities whose voices need to be heard.
KEEP IT COMING!
“We need to invest with everything we’ve got in 2023 to win in 2024.”
- Billy Wimsatt, Movement Voter Project
We defied the odds in 2022, and must do so again to keep building progressive power and winning elections this year and in 2024. Fighting in 2023 for key issues like abortion and voting rights, healthcare and housing, gun violence prevention, climate change, and a just society and economy that works for all gives people a reason to stay involved–and to vote in next year’s make-or-break contests. Today is the day to help build the foundation the grassroots need to keep the White House and Senate blue, regain the House, and continue to make inroads in state and local races. The challenge is daunting, but we know we can do it with everyone on board. Here’s how to channel your commitment and generosity:
Of course we welcome anything you can contribute at any time. However, we cannot emphasize enough that the best way to make a difference in 2024 is through regular contributions to the Partner Groups. Knowing they have the resources they need on a reliable basis means they can strategize, train, organize, and grow year-round with seasoned and effective talent. Plus, setting up automatic monthly donations takes one more thing off your to-do list.
Donate by Check. Set up automatic payments to Airlift with the Bill Pay service at your bank, or send a check directly to: Airlift, PO Box 617, Corte Madera CA 94976
Donate Online at ActBlue. Just click the button, and click again to Make it Monthly!
For Tax-Deductible Giving. Email Ruth Jaeger at ruth@airlift.fund
Spread the word! Tell your friends and family about Airlift and our events and share this newsletter.
Thanks for making it monthly!
FIELD NOTES
Pennsylvania Stands Up delivered for Governor Shapiro. Now they’re holding him accountable to deliver for Working People. Read more.
LUCHA, working with Native communities for climate justice on tribal lands and at the seat of power with Governor Hobbs to push for budget priorities to meet people’s needs.
Serious business, plus a little K-pop fun, from One APIA Nevada, at the state legislative session.