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 Fall 2023 Cohort
Angela Saxton
Working Families Party
Georgia
Ashley Marshall
Forward Justice
North Carolina
Bianka Nora
o2o
Florida
Bill Wallace
Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation
Texas
Brianna McBride
Austin Justice Coalition
Texas
Coco Guthrie-Papy
Deep Center
Georgia
Dani Marrero Hi
La Union del Pueblo Entero
Texas
Doha Medani
Asian American Advocacy Fund
Georgia
Edima Ufot
Black Male Initiative
Georgia
Gregory Wilson
Step Up Louisiana
Louisiana
Halima Olufemi
People’s Advocacy Institute
Mississippi
Jasmine Keith
New Georgia Project
Georgia
Kelli R. Williams
Str8 2 The Core
South Carolina
Kermit Ray Thomas
New Canvassing Experience
Georgia
Latoya Dyer
Jobs with Justice – Central Florica
Florida
Lorena Quiroz Lewis
Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity
Mississippi
Melanie McRae
Florida Rising
Florida
Nadira Freeman
Organize Tennessee
Tennessee
Page Dukes
All Of Us or None – Atlanta
Georgia
Samuel A Delgado
Jobs with Justice – Central Florida
Florida
Shareen Woody
Texas Organizing Project
Texas
Staci Fox
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
Georgia
Tiffany McAllister Davis
NDWA – We Dream In Black
Texas
Will Tucker
Jobs to Move America
Alabama
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.