Open Horizon and Imagine Us are excited to announce the launch of Ignite the South, a new six-month leadership development program for Southern social justice leaders, which started in January 2023.
Ignite the South is designed for staff and elected leaders on the front arc of their careers who have substantial responsibility in social, racial, and economic justice organizations in the South. It is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and conspire together, and combines in-person immersive experiences, individual coaching, and online learning. Over the course of six months, participants will strengthen their leadership skills through exposure to new ideas and best practices, while also building relationships with like-minded individuals across the region. Cohort graduates will grow a connected, supported, and resourced cadre of leaders across the South.
For more information, please visit https://www.ignitethesouth.com/
A subset of Ignite the South’s inaugural cohort at the first retreat
New Orleans, Louisiana, January 2023
Ignite the South’s inaugural cohort at the second Retreat
Jackson, Mississippi, April 2023
Meet the Spring 2023 Cohort
Aaron Jamal Bryant
Carolina Federation
Durham, North Carolina
Amanda Furdge
Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative
Jackson, Mississippi
Ashley Hawkins
Charlotte Labor Council
Charlotte, North Carolina
Ayanna Smith
We Dream In Black, NDWA
Atlanta, Georgia
Britney Whaley
Working Families Party
East Point, Georgia
Chas Moore
Austin Justice Coalition
Austin, Texas
Danielle Rodriguez
Sistersong
Smyrna, Georgia
Diamond Moseley
New Georgia Project
Atlanta, Georgia
Erica Jones
Mississippi Association of Educators, NEA
Jackson, Mississippi
Gabriel Bolden Shaw
Step Up Louisiana
Harvey, Louisiana
Jennifer Granado
New Virginia Majority
Alexandria, Virginia
Josh Vincent
Southern Vision Alliance
Durham, North Carolina
June Barrett
Miami Workers Center
Miami, Florida
Keith Bullard
Southern Service Workers Union
Durham, North Carolina
Kristen Powers
Benevolence Farm
Graham, North Carolina
Kyandra Knight
Center for Popular Democracy
Decatur, Georgia
LaToya Johnson
Workers Center for Racial Justice
New Orleans, Louisiana
Lauren Simmons-Mitchell
We Dream in Black, NDWA
Houston, Texas
Maria Lopez Gonzalez
El Pueblo
Raleigh, North Carolina
Megan Joy Masias
Texas Organizing Project
Houston, Texas
Miriam Gray
Servant Leaders Institute
Jackson, Mississippi
Morgan Moone
Reproductive Justice Active Collective
New Orleans, Louisiana
Ranada Robinson
New Georgia Project
Atlanta, Georgia
Shelvis Ponds
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Stephanie Corte
Texas Climate Jobs
Austin, Texas
Tia T. Mills
Louisiana Association of Educators
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Yisel Pomier Maren
We Dream in Black, NDWA
Indian Land, South Carolina
Faculty
Allison Porter
Allison was a community and union organizer in the Carolinas in the 80s and 90s. Is a coach and consultant to emerging leaders nationwide. Lives in Washington, DC. Partner in Imagine Us.
Tony Bennae Richard
Tony was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and served in the Navy. He is a facilitator for Rockwood, SEIU BOLD, and Labor Leadership Initiative. Lives in Nashville and is a partner in Imagine Us.
Naima Savage
Naima was raised in North Carolina and lives in New Orleans. Organizer. Mother. Wife. Cook. Coach. Coordinator at Color of Change. Associate consultant at Imagine Us.