Soul 2 Soul Sisters is excited to launch Civic Engagement Is, a digital campaign inspired by Black Women leaders, activists and artists from the 1970s who used their time and talent as a means of civic engagement. It is our hope that their stories inspire you to discover the work your soul must have and offer it with your full energy to actualize our liberated futures. Together, we can build the worlds we’ve been dreaming of and so rightfully deserve. This is how we civically engage, at the ballot box and beyond.
Civic Engagement Is Culture
“Revolution is not a one-time event.” - Audre Lorde
This year, Soul 2 Soul Sisters is drawing from the 1970s Black Power, gay rights & Black Arts movements and (re)rooting in the necessity for Black Joy and defiance as tools for civic engagement. For over a decade, Black femmes have been the largest and most reliable voting bloc for liberative initiatives. We know the power of our voice and our vote. Rather than fear-mongering or outlining how these are ‘unprecedented times’ or even how there’s only ‘one choice to make,’ we’re leaning into what we know best – equipment, education, and engagement.
Read on to learn about alternative ways you can show up for your community beyond the election.
Civic Engagement Is Community Care
Fannie Lou Hamer was an activist, organizer and leader for civil and voting rights. She became widely known for her bold speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. In addition to her movement work, she also recognized the pressing needs of her community and organized around economics and food insecurity ultimately exemplifying why politics, policy and people matter.
In 1969, Hamer began organizing around cooperative economics as a strategy for collective liberation and developed the Freedom Farm Cooperative (FCC). The co-op bought land that Black farmers could own and farm collectively on. In 1970, the co-op purchased 640 acres of land and cultivated a store, boutique, sewing enterprise and built low income housing. At its peak, it was among the largest employers in Sunflower County. The organization also developed a “pig bank” to provide free pigs to Black farmers and feed impoverished families.
Hamer’s legacy emphasized the importance of community and self-sufficiency as a form of resistance and power. Her determination and tireless work teaches us that in order to actualize the lives we deserve, we must rely on ourselves.
Volunteer with Soul 2 Soul Sisters. Our Black Civic Engagement and Policy team is currently looking for volunteers to do phone banking, relational organizing, and tabling to connect with community this election season. Sound like you? Sign up to volunteer today.
“Because we know if you give us food we can eat a few days but if you give us the tools, we’ll produce for ourselves. I just don’t want people to have to give me and my people a welfare check. I want some land.”
- Fannie Lou Hamer
Civic Engagement Is Civil Uprising
“No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” - Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson was an activist, artist, and performer. Her role in the Stonewall Uprising and co-founding the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside Sylvia Rivera, demonstrates how civic unrest is a necessary tool for civic engagement.
In the wee morning of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, roughing up and essentially arresting employees and patrons. There are many speculations about Johnson’s role that morning but it is clear that she was on the frontline. The raid led to six days of civil unrest outside of Stonewall Inn, many of which led by Johnson. The following year, June 28, 1970, thousands marched in the streets of Manhattan in honor of Stonewall and today, millions continue to march in streets all over the world 
#PRIDE
Johnson was heavily involved in the first few years of Pride and eventually stopped due to the exclusion of trans and queer people of color. She co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, “an organization dedicated to sheltering young transgender individuals who were shunned by their families”, alongside Sylvia Rivera. Her life and work inspires us to never ask for permission and always throw whatever tools needed to fight against the erasure and marginalization of all, and especially Black trans and queer folks.
Civically Engage Like Marsha P. Johnson
Register for Vote Like A Freedom Fighter | Tuesday, October 22nd | 4:00 - 5:30 PM MST | Virtual | Join Soul 2 Soul Sisters' Black Civic Engagement and Policy team, alongside our partners from Count Me In, to learn what is at stake this election season for Black communities. Together we will: walk through what's on the Colorado state ballot and ask questions; highlight key ballot measures and their intersection with anti-racism; learn more about S2SS' priorities for the election; gain the tools you need to vote up and down the ballot as an accomplice for Black liberation. LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE.
Civic Engagement
Is Creativity
“Are you sure, sweetheart, that you want to be well?… Just so’s you’re sure, sweetheart, and ready to be healed, cause wholeness is no trifling matter. A lot of weight when you’re well.” - Toni Cade Bambara, The Salt Eaters
Toni Cade Bambara was a writer, filmmaker, activist & scholar. She devoted her work to the belief that our task was to make revolution irresistible and taught us that the personal is political is collective is spiritual.
Bambara’s novel, The Salt Eaters explores personal, communal and collective healing as key components to our liberation. The text teaches us how everything is interconnected and necessary for survival, from our individual lives, the communities we are a part of, our Ancestors and future generations. The book invites us to explore caring for oneself as a tool for community care and organizing. Her work centers community and healing as integral for liberation and inspired a new generation of artists.
Civically Engage Like Toni Cade Bambara
Listen to our Civic Engagement Is playlist inspired by our favorite artists and songs from the 70s.
This November, Let’s Boogie Down the Ballot!
Register to Vote!
Register to vote or view/update your voter record (Colorado only).
Having Issues? Get Help!
Visit JustVoteColorado.org to find where to go to vote, FAQs, accessibility, and multilingual voting information or to report problems. Call the voter hotline if you have any problems or questions: 866-OUR-VOTE; Español: 888-VE-Y-VOTA
Don't Forget to Access the Black Voter Guide on October 11!
The Digital Black Voter Guide will be out on October 14th. Make sure to sign up for an email when it is released!
Built with Shorthand