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 68 member organizations and 40 million members.
Program Strategy
- 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, Co-Chair
Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President, Co-Chair
Annie Leonard, Greenpeace USA Executive Director
Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director
Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO
Chris Shelton, Communications Workers of America President
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Staff
Wendy Fields, Executive Director
Myke Bybee, Grassroots Campaign Director
Getachew Kassa, Senior Campaigner
Aimée Pohl, Senior Digital Campaigner
Linda Ewing, Senior Policy and Training Fellow
Elsie Guerrero, Program and Executive Assistant
Jack Flynn, Communications Fellow
Mobilizing Committee
Charlie Cray, Senior Research Specialist, Greenpeace
Aquene Freechild, Co-Director, Democracy is for People Campaign, Public Citizen
Courtney Hight, Director, Democracy Program, Sierra Club
Jamal Watkins, Vice President of Civic Engagement, NAACP
Marilyn Carpinteyro, Director for State Operations, Common Cause
Andrea Brown Gee, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, NAACP
Peggy Shorey, State Government Relations Deputy Director, AFL-CIO
Melissa Matos, Director of Human Rights & Education, CWA