Building Power Conference

The mission of Building Power is to center community knowledge in the fight against white extremism. Often in academic spaces, we do not learn from the activists, community leaders and organizers doing the work in our communities. We want to flip this narrative and provide a space for community leaders to be the teachers, and for students to engage in this type of learning in an accessible way. This year, we will be engaging in conversations and learning on disability justice, sustaining communities, and community organizing.





Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Please check in and receive your attendant gift.
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building - 1840 (Educational Conference Center)
Black Radical Healing Pathways
A short introductory to the conference and a special speech from our Keynote Speaker, Dr Yusef Shakur.
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Byron Brooks

In this breakout session, we will delve into the transformative potential of community organizing and political engagement in the pursuit of collective liberation. Focused on the theme of "Building Power: Resistance in the Face of Political Injustice," we will explore the dynamic interplay between grassroots organizing and political action as essential strategies for resisting injustices and fostering sustainable communities.

Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical examples, we will examine the critical role of community organizing in challenging systemic oppression and advocating for social change. We will explore the power of collective action, coalition-building, and grassroots movements in amplifying marginalized voices and dismantling unjust structures.

Please see our website for information on our speakers and breakout sessions.
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Yusef Shakur

1) Community-neighborhood engagement: This principle focuses on building understanding and awareness of issues that impact people, with the goal of engaging the community to address these issues rather than getting stuck on them.


2) Community-neighborhood organizing: This involves organizing individuals to become organizers themselves to address their own needs.


3) Community-neighborhood advocacy: This principle emphasizes amplifying the voices of the community, both verbally and in writing, to bring about changes in their circumstances.


4) Community-neighborhood sustainability: This principle involves using these strategies to build sustainable neighborhoods and communities by empowering the agency of the people.


We will engage these 4 organizing principles to gain a practical overstanding of the difference between a Community organizer and Neighborhood organizer and how they intersect. 


For more information about our speakers, see our website: https://bit.ly/BuildingPower2024
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Gabriela Santiago-Romero

In this session, participants will learn key strategies for fostering political engagement within your community. Gain valuable knowledge on employing powerful tools to not only amplify your community voice but also to cultivate a sense of empowerment among residents. Additionally, this session will explore the intricacies of internal tools and practices that form the backbone of effective community building. Join us in this enlightening session to equip yourself with the tools needed to drive positive change and empower your community.


For more information about our speakers, please see our website: https://bit.ly/BuildingPower2024

Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Ayesha Gazi Edwin

Disability justice is the one social movement that affects all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic classes, and other identity groups - but unfortunately, it’s the least discussed when we learn about progressive movements for social change. How do we conduct intersectional, cross-movement community organizing that is actively anti-ableist and promotes disability justice and inclusion? How do we use appropriate language, and create events that all can participate in? Join this breakout session to learn more about disability inclusion in community organizing and beyond.

Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Branden Snyder

Branden Snyder, Executive Director of Detroit Action, will construct a radical vision of Detroit’s future that re-centers the legacy of Black movement organizing culture and the history of economic and urban development of the city. Snyder will share Detroit Action's work on civic engagement and collective mobilization in Detroit, and how the organization translates what they learn through grassroots organizing into a comprehensive and complex policy agenda. Leaders will learn how to utilize their talents and treasurers to win justice for our communities before, during and after electoral cycles.

Please see our website for more information on our speakers and sessions.
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building - 1840

Please come for a lovely lunch and to hear from our amazing panelists: 

Brandon Snyder

Byron Brooks

Yusef Shakur

Gabriela Santiago-Romero

Ayesha Ghazi Edwin

Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Byron Brooks

In this breakout session, we will delve into the transformative potential of community organizing and political engagement in the pursuit of collective liberation. Focused on the theme of "Building Power: Resistance in the Face of Political Injustice," we will explore the dynamic interplay between grassroots organizing and political action as essential strategies for resisting injustices and fostering sustainable communities.

Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical examples, we will examine the critical role of community organizing in challenging systemic oppression and advocating for social change. We will explore the power of collective action, coalition-building, and grassroots movements in amplifying marginalized voices and dismantling unjust structures.

Please see our website for more information on our speakers and sessions.
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Branden Snyder

Branden Snyder, Executive Director of Detroit Action, will construct a radical vision of Detroit’s future that re-centers the legacy of Black movement organizing culture and the history of economic and urban development of the city. Snyder will share Detroit Action's work on civic engagement and collective mobilization in Detroit, and how the organization translates what they learn through grassroots organizing into a comprehensive and complex policy agenda. Leaders will learn how to utilize their talents and treasurers to win justice for our communities before, during and after electoral cycles.


Please see our website for information on our speakers and sessions.

Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Ayesha Gazi Edwin

Disability justice is the one social movement that affects all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic classes, and other identity groups - but unfortunately, it’s the least discussed when we learn about progressive movements for social change. How do we conduct intersectional, cross-movement community organizing that is actively anti-ableist and promotes disability justice and inclusion? How do we use appropriate language, and create events that all can participate in? Join this breakout session to learn more about disability inclusion in community organizing and beyond.

PLease see our website for more information on our speakers and sessions.
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Gabriela Santiago-Romero

In this session, participants will learn key strategies for fostering political engagement within your community. Gain valuable knowledge on employing powerful tools to not only amplify your community voice but also to cultivate a sense of empowerment among residents. Additionally, this session will explore the intricacies of internal tools and practices that form the backbone of effective community building. Join us in this enlightening session to equip yourself with the tools needed to drive positive change and empower your community.


https://bit.ly/BuildingPower2024

Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building Yusef Shakur

1) Community-neighborhood engagement: This principle focuses on building understanding and awareness of issues that impact people, with the goal of engaging the community to address these issues rather than getting stuck on them.


2) Community-neighborhood organizing: This involves organizing individuals to become organizers themselves to address their own needs.


3) Community-neighborhood advocacy: This principle emphasizes amplifying the voices of the community, both verbally and in writing, to bring about changes in their circumstances.


4) Community-neighborhood sustainability: This principle involves using these strategies to build sustainable neighborhoods and communities by empowering the agency of the people.


We will engage these 4 organizing principles to gain a practical overstanding of the difference between a Community organizer and Neighborhood organizer and how they intersect.


For more information about our speakers, see our website: https://bit.ly/BuildingPower2024

Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
Session Is Over
-
School of Social Work Building
Select
Selected
Deselect
For questions or contact information click here
Building Power Conference
You May Choose As Many Sessions As You Want