The Democracy Initiative is a coalition of organizations launched in 2013 working toward a bright future in which all Americans participate fully and freely in the democratic process. We believe that the voice of every citizen should be heard and counted, so all of us have an equal say in a democracy that is of, by, and for the people. Our partner organizations pursue a diverse range of progressive goals, including civil rights, workers’ rights, women’s rights, and climate justice, but we know that success in any of these areas depends on reforming our democracy.
United by a shared vision for a political process that counts every voice and every vote equally, we are mobilizing members of Democracy Initiative organizations to ensure that all Americans can vote, diminish the influence of corporate and special interests, and halt the obstruction that has thrown our Congress out of balance. Together, we can break down these barriers and protect our democracy from the systematic effort to shift power from the many to a wealthy few by silencing our voices in the workplace, in the ballot box, and in the offices of our elected officials.
Our Principles
Amidst our tapestry of just causes, democracy is our north star, the bedrock of our shared beliefs, and the strategic center of gravity around which we agitate. As large corporations and an elite few control more wealth and power, the tenets of our democracy come under threat. Click here to read our solutions to strengthen our democracy and the role we play amongst our 72 member organizations and 45 million members.
Program Strategy
- DI 2018 Annual Report: Learn about what the DI accomplished in 2018!
- DI launched the Democracy 365 campaign, a comprehensive governance strategy designed to vision a 21st century democracy that encourages more participation from everyday people at all levels of government. Learn about Democracy 365.
- DI 2017 Annual Report: Learn about what the DI accomplished in 2017!
- In December 2015, Democracy Initiative leaders and endorsers gathered to discuss and lay out the 2016 Program Strategy. Click here to read more.
Board
Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause President, Board Treasurer and Co-Chair
Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President, Board President and Co-Chair
Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO
Erich Pica, Friends of the Earth President
Gustavo Torres, CASA Executive Director
K. Sabeel Rahman, Demos President
Virginia Kase, League of Women Voters of the United States CEO
Ray Curry, United Auto Workers Secretary-Treasurer
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Staff
Wendy Fields, Executive Director
Jennifer Lamson, Deputy Director
Getachew Kassa, National Field Manager
Linda Ewing, Senior Policy and Training Fellow
Brittny Baxter, Training & Movement Building Coordinator
Sherri Davis, Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Jack Flynn, Communications Associate
Anchor Committee
Peggy Shorey, State & Local Legislation, Deputy Director, AFL-CIO
Marilyn Carpinteyro, Vice President of Programs and Strategy, Common Cause
Michelle Chan, Vice President of Programs, Friends of the Earth
Folabi Olagbaju, Democracy Campaign Director, Greenpeace USA
Jamal Watkins, Vice President of Civic Engagement, NAACP
Yaheiry Mora, Director, CASA in Action | Civic Engagement and Elections Senior Director, CASA
Rodney McKenzie Jr., Executive Vice President, Movement Strategies, Demos