Black Women Saving Democracy

As part of our commitment to building a healthy, inclusive democracy, Tides participated in The Raben Group’s Democracy House in Chicago: a gathering of 2,000 progressive policy makers, activists, elected officials, and thought leaders to shape a collective vision for democracy ahead of the historic November election.

Through our Healthy Democracy Fund, Tides is supporting 110 organizations to get out the vote this fall and organize beyond the election, focusing on communities of color, young people, and low-income communities. At Democracy House, our team joined in critical conversations about how to shift power to proximate changemakers and ensure democratic participation and representation from historically excluded communities.  

Brittany Packnett Cunningham: “[Black women] are catalytic when it comes to driving change.”

Black Women: The Backbone of Democracy 

“[Black women] are catalytic when it comes to driving change. We are uniquely built to lead through sisterhood and community, instead of the individualism the world wanted to teach us.”
— Brittany Packnett Cunningham 

Black women’s political participation and civic engagement has shaped the course of American democracy. This election cycle, Black women continue to inspire, organize, and mobilize voters, and advocate for policies that benefit all people. Eighty-six percent of Black women plan to vote in November, citing protecting our freedoms and saving democracy as key considerations. 

At Democracy House, Tides CEO Janiece Evans-Page joined social justice thought leader Brittany Packnett Cunningham, president and CEO of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation Melanie Campbell, and LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter and its 501(c)(3) capacity building arm, Tides Foundation grantee Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, for a panel discussion on Black women’s pivotal role in saving democracy.  

In a candid conversation, the panelists highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities facing Black women leaders, the funding gap for Black-led and -serving organizations, and the importance of building intergenerational, intersectional movements. Given the stakes of the upcoming election, they urged the audience to continue to mobilize, educate, shift power, and plan for the long game. The panelists all shared a commitment to action, with the understanding that the fight for democracy is a continuous struggle that requires our active participation. 

Tides CEO Janiece Evans-Page and former Georgia representative Stacey Abrams joined Robert Raben, CEO of The Raben Group, for Democracy House’s “Funding Diversity” panel.

Confronting Attacks on DEI 

With increasing political attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), sustaining momentum for DEI initiatives has become more urgent. At Democracy House’s “Funding Diversity” luncheon, Janiece Evans-Page joined former Georgia representative Stacey Abrams and Raben Group founder and CEO Robert Raben to discuss strategies to protect and advance DEI and build infrastructure that addresses the systemic inequities that disproportionately harm communities of color and other underrepresented groups.  

The conversation underscored philanthropy’s responsibility to proactively resource the proximate leaders working in hostile environments to dismantle systemic barriers. As Black and brown communities continue to face voter suppression efforts and misinformation and disinformation campaigns, supporting civic engagement programs can make all the difference in ensuring every voter has a say in our nation’s future.

Enfranchising the Underserved

Janiece was featured in an episode of The Ask, The Raben Group’s podcast dedicated to finding solutions to the biggest and most important challenges facing our country. She spoke about the current sociopolitical moment and Tides’ unique approach to systemic change and centering historically excluded communities. Listen to the podcast on Apple or Spotify, and watch the video on YouTube. 

Shifting Power: The Path to an Inclusive Democracy  

Democracy House was a dynamic and joyful forum for exchange, strategizing, and fellowship. Our team connected with other progressive changemakers around Tides’ vision for shifting power to the proximate leaders addressing the injustices inherent in our political, social, and economic systems. As we approach what many are calling the most consequential election of our lifetime, the discussions we had in Chicago reignited our collective commitment to fight for a more healthy, equitable, and inclusive democracy.  

As Tides Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships Sha-Kim Wilson shared with us: “In a world often rife with division and despair, the powerful discourse at Democracy House ignited a sense of hope within me. The call to action was clear: we must engage in the political process, advocate for our rights, and hold those in power accountable. The experience reminded me that, as a Black woman, my voice is an integral part of this democratic tapestry. Democracy House was not just a moment of reflection; it was a powerful catalyst for change, inspiring us all to rise to the occasion and shape a future that reflects our collective values and aspirations.”  

Learn more about Tides’ Healthy Democracy Fund.