W7 Skill-Building Workshop: Putting an Intersectional Approach into Practice

With the Supreme Court’s ruling that marriage equality is the law of the land, there is no denying the astounding and important success of campaigns for marriage equality. But as LGBT leaders look ahead to what’s next for the movement, there have been concerns that the campaign for marriage equality failed to build deep ties with potential allies on other key issues, such as employment discrimination, immigrant rights and transgender justice. The unintended consequences of a single-issue approach have pushed advocates on the ground to seek more intersectional strategies. This method broadens the vision and tactics used for making change by examining how different issues intersect and interact. During this session, you will hear from an organizer putting an intersectional approach into practice along with funders that support intersectional alliance building around the country. Speakers will share their strategies for investing in activities that build trust among different types of organizations, issues and approaches, while also being realistic about the challenges this presents for nonprofits, activists and funders alike. This workshop will help you consider how to integrate a larger set of concerns into your own work, as you gain a deeper understanding of how intersectional alliances operate, the infrastructure required to maintain them and the tangible results they can achieve.

Primary Points Of Contact

Session Designers

Speakers

Rebecca Fox, Wellspring Advisors

Biography

Rebecca Fox works as a program officer at Wellspring Advisors. In this position, she focuses on advancing LGBT issues. Prior to coming to Wellspring, she was Executive Director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health, leading organizations nationwide to work together to improve the lives and health of LGBT people through advocacy, outreach, and education. She was also an adjunct professor at George Washington University. Rebecca serves on the board of directors of Funders for LGBTQ Issues.

Adriann Barboa, Forward Together

Biography

Adriann Barboa is a Chicana, Native New Mexican born and raised in Albuquerque, where she is a single mother of two. In 2012, Forward Together launched the Strong Families New Mexico state based action site. As Field Director for Strong Families New Mexico, Adriann connects across issue areas, geography and difference to advance the work and leverage capacity for a strong state network and in connection to the national movement work led by Forward Together. Adriann brings 10 plus years experience in the social justice sector, working primarily on issues of gender, reproductive, anti-violence, education and youth justice in communities of color.

Sean Thomas-Breitfeld, Building Movement Project (moderator)

Biography

Sean Thomas-Breitfeld co-directs the Building Movement Project, with a special focus on BMP’s work on service and social change. Prior to joining the BMP staff, Sean spent a decade working in various roles at the Center for Community Change. At CCC, he developed training programs for grassroots leaders, worked in CCC’s communications and policy departments where he coordinated online and grassroots advocacy efforts, and lobbied on a range of issues, including immigration reform, transportation equity and anti-poverty programs. Before joining the Center, Sean worked as a Policy Analyst at the National Council of La Raza, where he focused on employment and income security issues. Sean holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Multicultural Studies from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. - See more at: http://www.buildingmovement.org/people/sean_thomas_breitfeld#sthash.PNWxQnBD.dpuf

The Collaboration Conference 2015

November 16–17, 2015

Houston, Texas