We are kicking off a campaign to support frontline educators who are under assault for simply teaching truth and working to create an inclusive democracy. Our work is more important than ever right now because institutions are not stepping up to support them, so we, at the Institute for Common Power, must.

We are seeking to raise money for the following:

• Building a larger army of educators equipped with the knowledge, fortitude and support to stand for Truth.

• Expand our Education to Action Project Fund so educators across the country can implement programs in their schools and communities that create real, lasting change.

Join us May 4, the anniversary of the launch of the Freedom Riders. We will discuss this monumental coalition building event as we reveal what is needed to create change today.

This course is part of The Institute for Common Power's Rising to the Moment series, is taught by Professor David Domke.

Donald Trump in his second term has sought to eviscerate American democracy as we've known it. Trump's countless Executive Orders, the unregulated actions of the "Department of Government Efficiency" headed by Elon Musk, and fellow-arsonists Republicans in Congress have sought to steamroll laws, policies, and practices. But they've hit a wall SO FAR with the federal judiciary, a body of unelected judges who hold lifetime appointments. Can or will these judges -- including ones appointed by Trump in his first term -- preserve the American experiment in democracy? Or are we done? This Institute course explores the precarious 2025 state of American democracy, and how much of a chance we have. Registrants will receive viewing instructions/reminders in advance of each lecture.

The Banned Books Club will meet monthly from March - June to discuss banned or challenged literature—from modern works like "Stamped" to classics such as "The Bluest Eye."

May 5th - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Institute for Common Power, the educational branch of Common Power, is inviting you to join our Banned Books Club. According to a PEN America report, the 2023-2024 school year recorded the highest instances of book bans and highest number of unique titles banned on record – over 4,000 unique titles were removed in over 10,000 instances of book bans. The Institute believes in the enduring power of books to provoke thought, challenge norms, and broaden perspectives. During our meetings of the Banned Books Club we will discuss race, identity, and freedom of expression as the club dives into the societal issues these books illuminate. 

In a world increasingly wary of uncomfortable truths, we believe in the right to read freely and believe that banning books is anathema to democracy. As with our overall organizational mission of safeguarding the vote, we also hold true that safeguarding the diversity of ideas is essential to a just and inclusive democracy.

Join us for our bi-weekly volunteer call, where you'll learn how we're adapting to meet the moment, get the latest action opportunities, and hear important updates. Be the first to preview upcoming training and connect with our Fieldwork team.

Lecture One: "Diversity" - Explores how the "minority rights" revolution of the 20th century, sparked by the Black Freedom Movement, widened to encompass Asian Americans.

She is the author of the award-winning book The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority (2014), and is currently writing Overrepresented: The Surprising History of Asian Americans and Racial Justice, a new story about diversity, data, and democracy in the United States.

Lectures for this course will be recorded for everyone to watch on your own timing. Registrants will receive viewing instructions/reminders in advance of each lecture.

We're updating the back end of our online community on Slack! After the update on Monday, April 28th, you will need to sign back into your account to access the new workspace!

These info sessions are intended to provide support both before and after the scheduled update.

Sessions after 4/28 will address any issues logging back into your account!

Our CP Staging Ground, located in downtown Seattle, is a space we open up in support of local organizers and the community who are engaging in advocacy efforts.

There are snacks, coffee, signage making materials and community on Fridays.
Feel free to drop by our staging ground anytime between 10:30 AM - 2PM.

Address: 107 Spring St Floor 1 Lobby, Seattle, WA 98104

We are supporting and endorsing local organizers from the Seattle Trouble Makers group. We encourage you to join their protests/Rallies every Friday at the Seattle Henry Jackson Federal Building starting at 11:30 AM- 1 PM.

Check out the Mobilize event page to learn more:
https://mobilize.us/s/ir50cw

This course is part of The Institute for Common Power's Rising to the Moment series, is taught by Professor David Domke.

Donald Trump in his second term has sought to eviscerate American democracy as we've known it. Trump's countless Executive Orders, the unregulated actions of the "Department of Government Efficiency" headed by Elon Musk, and fellow-arsonists Republicans in Congress have sought to steamroll laws, policies, and practices. But they've hit a wall SO FAR with the federal judiciary, a body of unelected judges who hold lifetime appointments. Can or will these judges -- including ones appointed by Trump in his first term -- preserve the American experiment in democracy? Or are we done? This Institute course explores the precarious 2025 state of American democracy, and how much of a chance we have. Registrants will receive viewing instructions/reminders in advance of each lecture.

Get trained on techniques for engaging with voters: A virtual community sharing space to share challenges, solutions, and strategies to talk to voters in all our actions.

We'll go over different types of voter conversations, engagement techniques, and scenarios together!

As we prepare for our summer trip, come find out about the momentum we've already built, ways you can engage moving forward, and our strategy for showing up for the upcoming election.

Are you new to Common Power and unsure where to begin? We've got you covered!

Join our dynamic info session for an inside look at Common Power’s mission, programs, and departments. This is your chance to explore how to get involved, connect with our community, and take the first step toward meaningful action.

Bring your questions—we’ve got answers! Leave with the knowledge and tools to get started. Welcome to Common Power!

Lecture Two: "Data" - deep-dive into the strange status of Asian Americans as an "overrepresented" rather than "underrepresented" minority group.

She is the author of the award-winning book The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority (2014), and is currently writing Overrepresented: The Surprising History of Asian Americans and Racial Justice, a new story about diversity, data, and democracy in the United States.

Lectures for this course will be recorded for everyone to watch on your own timing. Registrants will receive viewing instructions/reminders in advance of each lecture.

We're updating the back end of our online community on Slack! After the update on Monday, April 28th, you will need to sign back into your account to access the new workspace!

These info sessions are intended to provide support both before and after the scheduled update.

Sessions after 4/28 will address any issues logging back into your account!

Our CP Staging Ground, located in downtown Seattle, is a space we open up in support of local organizers and the community who are engaging in advocacy efforts.

There are snacks, coffee, signage making materials and community on Fridays.
Feel free to drop by our staging ground anytime between 10:30 AM - 2PM PM.

Address: 107 Spring St Floor 1 Lobby, Seattle, WA 98104

We are supporting and endorsing local organizers from the Seattle Trouble Makers group. We encourage you to join their protests/Rallies every Friday at the  Seattle Henry Jackson Federal Building starting at 11:30 AM- 1 PM.

Check out the Mobilize event page to learn more:
https://mobilize.us/s/ir50cw

As we prepare for our Spring trip, come find out about the momentum we've already built, ways you can engage moving forward, and our strategy for showing up for the upcoming election.

We are confronted today in America by an attack on truth in education. It is an attempt by politically motivated individuals, government offices, and politicians to halt the full teaching of American life by eradicating fully truthful aspects of our past, present, and potential futures. At their core, such attacks seek to erase the triumphs of African Americans, women, LGBTQ+ Americans, and others who have been vital in the struggle for civil rights and voting justice. The Institute for Common Power cannot and will not idly watch. To this end, we have created the Educators for Democracy speaker series to teach truth and encourage action that brings to fruition an inclusive democracy.

We will feature five educators from across the country each quarter who will deliver thirty minute talks on some aspect of American democracy. The educators who will be joining us in May are:

Simone Gordon - Brooklyn, New York

Nina McLean - Collinsville, Illinois

Rob Smith - Buckley, Washington

Tambra Clark - Birmingham, Alabama

Melchior Sysing - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Each educator is an Institute for Common Power Educator Ambassador, which means they have traveled with us on a Truth & Purpose Leaning Tour. They are part of our community and understand the power of how education leads to action. The lectures will have a heavy focus on history and will work to connect the past to the present as they encourage people to engage in work that focuses on social and voting justice.

Join us for our bi-weekly volunteer call, where you'll learn how we're adapting to meet the moment, get the latest action opportunities, and hear important updates. Be the first to preview upcoming training and connect with our Fieldwork team.

Lecture Two: "Democracy" - An overview of the little-known, but increasingly consequential, impact of Asian American political engagement

She is the author of the award-winning book The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority (2014), and is currently writing Overrepresented: The Surprising History of Asian Americans and Racial Justice, a new story about diversity, data, and democracy in the United States.

Lectures for this course will be recorded for everyone to watch on your own timing. Registrants will receive viewing instructions/reminders in advance of each lecture.

We're updating the back end of our online community on Slack! After the update on Monday, April 28th, you will need to sign back into your account to access the new workspace!

These info sessions are intended to provide support both before and after the scheduled update.

Sessions after 4/28 will address any issues logging back into your account!

We're updating the back end of our online community on Slack! After the update on Monday, April 28th, you will need to sign back into your account to access the new workspace!

These info sessions are intended to provide support both before and after the scheduled update.

Sessions after 4/28 will address any issues logging back into your account!

Join us for the New Jersey Trip Orientation Meeting! 🌟 Get all the information you need for our upcoming trip, meet your fellow volunteers, and learn about our goals and plans. This is your chance to ask questions and ensure you’re fully prepared. Don't miss it!

Join Common Power in San Diego!

This meet-up will be centered around action: how we stay engaged and fight back in 2025. At the national level, CP has a clear vision for our electoral priorities this year. We want to work directly with our volunteers to drive and support real, tangible action at the local level. We invite our volunteers, as well as passionate civic-minded individuals, to join us in these conversations and organize in-person with us.

Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or just interested in helping us organize, we’d love to see you there! CP staff Executive Director Charles Douglas, Fieldwork leader Binh Truong, and Community Associate Jessica Lui will be in attendance. Join us for some good coffee, company, and conversation!

By signing up for this event, you’ll also be subscribed to our newsletter, where we share updates, impact stories, and future opportunities to get involved. We respect your inbox, and you can unsubscribe anytime.

The Banned Books Club will meet monthly from March - June to discuss banned or challenged literature—from modern works like "Stamped" to classics such as "The Bluest Eye."

June 2nd - All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

The Institute for Common Power, the educational branch of Common Power, is inviting you to join our Banned Books Club. According to a PEN America report, the 2023-2024 school year recorded the highest instances of book bans and highest number of unique titles banned on record – over 4,000 unique titles were removed in over 10,000 instances of book bans. The Institute believes in the enduring power of books to provoke thought, challenge norms, and broaden perspectives. During our meetings of the Banned Books Club we will discuss race, identity, and freedom of expression as the club dives into the societal issues these books illuminate. 

In a world increasingly wary of uncomfortable truths, we believe in the right to read freely and believe that banning books is anathema to democracy. As with our overall organizational mission of safeguarding the vote, we also hold true that safeguarding the diversity of ideas is essential to a just and inclusive democracy.

This course will examine Executive Orders, propaganda, and dictates that seek to cement white supremacy while destroying diversity and TRUTH. We will look at historical parallels to our modern world and learn what we can do to combat this assault.

It has become woefully apparent that too many in America find it acceptable, even admirable, to dismiss the humanity of marginalized people and erase truth from history. Federal, state, and local leaders across this country have banned together with so-called “concerned citizens” to promote and implement archaic and discriminatory policies, executive orders, and dictates designed to eliminate Truth in education, to intimidate and stoke fear among educators, to target certain children and make them feel unimportant, uninvited, irrelevant. These actions are in direct contradiction to a fair, open, honest, and democratic America.

Join us for our bi-weekly volunteer call, where you'll learn how we're adapting to meet the moment, get the latest action opportunities, and hear important updates. Be the first to preview upcoming training and connect with our Fieldwork team.

Our Monthly Community Meetings take place every 1st Thursday of the month. This is a valuable opportunity for us to gather virtually and delve into the latest updates at Common Power. These meetings serve as an ideal platform to explore the various programs our dedicated staff are developing, seek clarification through interactive Q&A sessions, or enjoy the warmth of our community.

All meetings will be recorded for the benefit of our community and will be made available on CP's YouTube channel a few days after the event.

Your participation and support are greatly appreciated! Thank you for being part of Common Power.

As we prepare for our summer trip, come find out about the momentum we've already built, ways you can engage moving forward, and our strategy for showing up for the upcoming election.

As we prepare for our summer trip, come find out about the momentum we've already built, ways you can engage moving forward, and our strategy for showing up for the upcoming election.

Get trained on techniques for engaging with voters: A virtual community sharing space to share challenges, solutions, and strategies to talk to voters in all our actions.

We'll go over different types of voter conversations, engagement techniques, and scenarios together!

This course will examine Executive Orders, propaganda, and dictates that seek to cement white supremacy while destroying diversity and TRUTH. We will look at historical parallels to our modern world and learn what we can do to combat this assault.

It has become woefully apparent that too many in America find it acceptable, even admirable, to dismiss the humanity of marginalized people and erase truth from history. Federal, state, and local leaders across this country have banned together with so-called “concerned citizens” to promote and implement archaic and discriminatory policies, executive orders, and dictates designed to eliminate Truth in education, to intimidate and stoke fear among educators, to target certain children and make them feel unimportant, uninvited, irrelevant. These actions are in direct contradiction to a fair, open, honest, and democratic America.

Join us for our bi-weekly volunteer call, where you'll learn how we're adapting to meet the moment, get the latest action opportunities, and hear important updates. Be the first to preview upcoming training and connect with our Fieldwork team.

This course will examine Executive Orders, propaganda, and dictates that seek to cement white supremacy while destroying diversity and TRUTH. We will look at historical parallels to our modern world and learn what we can do to combat this assault.

It has become woefully apparent that too many in America find it acceptable, even admirable, to dismiss the humanity of marginalized people and erase truth from history. Federal, state, and local leaders across this country have banned together with so-called “concerned citizens” to promote and implement archaic and discriminatory policies, executive orders, and dictates designed to eliminate Truth in education, to intimidate and stoke fear among educators, to target certain children and make them feel unimportant, uninvited, irrelevant. These actions are in direct contradiction to a fair, open, honest, and democratic America.

Are you new to Common Power and unsure where to begin? We've got you covered!

Join our dynamic info session for an inside look at Common Power’s mission, programs, and departments. This is your chance to explore how to get involved, connect with our community, and take the first step toward meaningful action.

Bring your questions—we’ve got answers! Leave with the knowledge and tools to get started. Welcome to Common Power!

Our Monthly Community Meetings take place every 1st Thursday of the month. This is a valuable opportunity for us to gather virtually and delve into the latest updates at Common Power. These meetings serve as an ideal platform to explore the various programs our dedicated staff are developing, seek clarification through interactive Q&A sessions, or enjoy the warmth of our community.

All meetings will be recorded for the benefit of our community and will be made available on CP's YouTube channel a few days after the event.

Your participation and support are greatly appreciated! Thank you for being part of Common Power.