This week's organizer spotlight features Lauren and Caleb Langworthy, farmers and organizers in western Wisconsin (and participants in the 2021 virtual WiLD Academy): 1) What have you learned from “falling off the bike” as a leader? We’ve learned the importance of developing leadership capacity and intentionally delegating areas of responsibility by “falling off the bike.” It is easy to hold on to the responsibility and burden of an organizing project with good intentions—thinking that you’re protecting the time of others. However, the independent mindset that is ultimately at the root of these behaviors is detrimental to the act of organizing [...]

This week's organizer spotlight features Ashley Daniels, an organizer with the Carolina Federation (and participant in the 2021 virtual WiLD Academy): 1) What have you learned from “falling off the bike” as a leader? I've learned (repeatedly) that the fissures and deep disrepair experienced in organizing is 9 times out of 10 caused by isolation. The times that I've felt inadequate or unbelonging to a movement was because, in isolation, I had begun to create stories about how others might be assessing me. Likewise, the times that I've connected with people who had been removed from the group, they were [...]

This week's organizer spotlight features Dreama Caldwell, Executive Co-Director at Down Home NC: 1) What have you learned from “falling off the bike” as a leader? I have learned the importance of trying again after the fall, using the lessons from before to keep me from making the same mistakes. I am not afraid to own mistakes, be incorrect, admit to giving incorrect advice, or make choices that can be seen as failure. I understand that failure is just a lesson and success occurs when the lessons are applied. It is all a part of growing. It also shows courage [...]

This week's organizer spotlight features Maya Bueso, a student organizer with Our Future Our Fight. 1) What have you learned from “falling off the bike” as a leader? “Falling off the bike” to me personally is a learning experience to later reflect on and better myself in the skill I’m trying to learn. As much as it is stressful to “fall,” I’ve started to take it as a learning opportunity to learn what to do better the next time I “ride” my bike. New skills take lots of time to perfect, and that’s why it’s totally okay to have those [...]

This week's organizer spotlight features Aaron Jamal, an organizer with Carolina Federation: 1) What have you learned from “falling off the bike” as a leader? I’ve fallen off the bike many times in my 11 years of organizing, and have learned a few lessons along the way: joyful discipline is a precondition for victory and long term commitment. Leadership is as much about your own development as it is about someone whose leadership you are deeply invested in. 2) What sustains you? Where do you get the energy to keep going? I have sustained myself through a revolutionary politic of [...]

This week's organizer spotlight features Laura Abellera, an organizer with Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT): Photo Credit: Blessing Opeyemi Photography 1) What have you learned from “falling off the bike” as a leader? It's important for organizers (especially youth organizers) to know that working in the realm of social justice requires constant learning, growth, humility, and resilience. Unsurprisingly, I have learned SO much from the young people that I get to share space with and they are my motivator to keep challenging myself to be a better human being. I think the biggest thing I've learned is to challenge [...]