Thank You Common Power
By Pouya, Sr. Fieldwork Associate
Pouya and Ms. Blande in Selma Alabama in 2022
In two weeks, I’ll be starting law school. That sentence still feels a little surreal to say. It marks the beginning of something entirely new — and the end of one of the most formative chapters of my life.
What I Found Here
Pouya in Action Academy 2019
At 19, I joined Action Academy as a passionate student organizer, drawn to politics. The idea of Common Power almost felt too good to be true. What I found was more than I ever could’ve hoped for: a community of thoughtful, courageous people who show up every single day with purpose and heart.
I’ll never forget being asked to co-lead Team Georgia in 2022, arguably one of the most important State Teams in the country. The responsibility was heavy, but even more so, the trust, especially since I didn’t show up as expected.
The following year, I was unexpectedly asked to re-envision Fieldwork and help lead the department full-time, despite the lack of experience I had in this work. That’s what it means to live your values as an organization — to not just talk about youth leadership, but to actually make space for it in meaningful ways.
Pouya directing volunteers for the GA 2024 election
And then came 2024 — an election year that was a beast in every sense. I was entrusted to lead the State Team program, and together, we reached new heights: more volunteers, more Leads, more State Teams, more trips, and more doors knocked than ever before in Common Power’s history. And yet… we didn’t get the outcome we hoped for.
But what happened next reminded me exactly why this community is so special. The love, the support, the continued belief in the work — even after a tough loss — was magical.
This community reminded me that how we show up matters just as much as what we achieve. That showing up with heart, again and again, is the work.
To the People Who Shaped Me
To those I worked closely with: thank you. Whether you were a volunteer, Team Lead, or staff, your impact on me is profound. Your mentorship and collaboration have left a lasting mark.
Virginia Canvassing Trip 2025
You’ve shown me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room —
It’s about listening deeply, acting with humility, and showing up with consistency and thoughtfulness.
I’m proud of what we built together. And even more proud of how we built it — with care, with honesty, and with deep respect for the communities we serve.
To Charles
DNC Convention in Chicago 2024
Pouya’s celebration party 2025
When thinking of my growth at Common Power, I have to specifically thank Charles. You’ve taught me what it means to be a leader — what it truly takes and means to show up, to lift others up rather than push them down, to forgive, and to extend a hand to those different from you. Your mentorship has been invaluable — and, as you know, it’s not ending anytime soon.
Thank you for continuing to believe in me even after I made mistakes — and when, frankly, you didn’t have many reasons to keep doing so. Your trust and grace have profoundly changed me. It’s shaped how I lead, how I listen, and how I move forward.
Not Goodbye, Just a Shift
Canvassing in Atlanta GA 2022
Canvassing in Atlanta GA 2022
Even though I’m stepping away from the day-to-day, I’m not disappearing. I’ll always be rooting for Common Power and the work it continues to do. I’m excited to find new ways to support, show up, and stay connected.
Let’s keep building. Let’s stay in touch. And let’s keep showing up — for each other, for a more just and inclusive democracy, and for the world we know is possible.
Pouya with the team curing ballots in CA 2024