“There are people who obviously believed his promises, that Trump was going to do something about the cost of eggs, the cost of housing. They’ve seen the focus instead on ICE raids and downsizing the government.” Alexsis Rodgers, Political Director at the Black to the Future Action Fund is quoted in this AP article focusing on how President Trump’s promises to help struggling Americans, especially Black communities, have not materialized. Black unemployment has risen to 7.5%, homeownership has fallen, and median income has dropped by 3.3%, widening the racial wealth gap. Read more in the AP.
“We have an opportunity to offer hope and belonging in the midst of crisis. APEN isn’t going anywhere. We’re continuing to hold the line and build strength. We just need partners who are willing to hold the line with us.” Kenneth Tang, Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) Oakland Organizing Director, is sharing his journey from running the Oakland Marathon and stopping at APEN’s water station to becoming a community organizer building power with Asian immigrant communities in Akonadi Foundation’s latest blog: Building Power, Hope, and Belonging in Oakland’s Chinatown. An Akonadi grant partner, APEN is building pathways toward justice in Oakland. Read the full blog here to see how Kenneth’s story reflects APEN’s commitment to care-based, culturally grounded organizing.
CHANGE NEWS:
Stevie Awards: Big news! Change Consulting and our incredible Founder and CEO, Bilen Mesfin Packwood, are FINALISTS the 2025 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. We’re honored to be recognized among so many inspiring leaders. We’ll find out the winners on November 10! Stay tuned!
New resource: We are also thrilled to announce the launch of our first-ever e-publication — Storytelling for Social Change – How to use stories to seed narratives, shape worldviews, and win justice. Drawn from our 2024 five-part blog series, this new resource demonstrates how powerful, intentional storytelling can move people, shift narratives, and drive real, lasting social change. Download this free resource here and let’s stay in conversation. We would love to hear from you: How are you using stories to push for justice? What more do you want to learn about telling more – and better – stories?
Navigating rapid response and crisis: Check out part two of our newly launched blog series – From Rapid Response to Resilience: Decide, Prepare, Act. In these urgent times, it’s crucial that organizations and leaders understand how to navigate these moments from a place of grounding, preparation, and not just resistance but also resilience. This series shares all that Change Consulting has learned for over nearly two decades of rapid response and crisis communications management to advance racial and social justice. Have questions or topics you want us to cover? Email us at hello@change-llc.com or via our website: www.change-llc.com