Dear Friends & Family
I'm writing to let you know that after being a co-founder, co-director and director of Power U for 10 years, I'll be leaving June 2010. I am leaving because I believe that Power U and I are both ready for our next phase of work and to uphold the commitment I made as a founder to pass the organization into new loving hands of leadership.
The past 10 years have been the richest experiences of my social justice life. I have had the pleasure of working for and with Power U leaders in a place that folks say has lost or can't find its power base of social justice fighters! I can tell you for sure that I have been inspired and driven by many Miami FIGHTERS! Many of these fighters joined the staff of Power U and helped us shape the organization and I'm grateful to all of them (most of who continue to serve the organization as either volunteers or board members).
Together we have built a great organization over these years; a political education program ‘College of Leadership'; a youth organizing campaign; leadership in Right to the City; a childbirth program bringing back midwifes to our community ‘Powerful Moms & Families'; a movement ‘Renters Majority Project' bringing a new vision to Miami's majority; educational entertainment by the Power U Band and so much more.
We have also had some important victories starting with winning a 40 million dollar Noise Wall along I-95, stopping toxic dumping in the tributary Wagner Creek, a new park for public housing residents, stopping the development of over-priced condominiums in a community needing affordable housing, and Restorative Justice being practiced in local youth programs. There is still organizing to be done to win Restorative Justice in schools to end the school to prison pipeline, to bring Rights to the Renters of Miami, and to be the first community to win a Sustainable Community Agreement for the Historically Black Overtown people through struggling with the University of Miami to be accountable.
The Power U staff has been a team of organizers who over and over again give through good and hard times, keeping their commitment to become the best organizers they can be and to keep the vision and action of Power U strong, growing and winning. I am proud of their accomplishments and all they bring to the movement.
As you may know, these past 10 years building and leading Power U has been my personal life too and as I move on to a new place in the movement I will be taking with me many lessons, many great stories, and the love of this work and the people I shared it with. I know many of you have attended one of Power U's actions, met us at a conference or social forum, or helped us work on one of the many issues we have been fighting for in Miami and I want to personally thank you for that time.
Although I am moving on to something new, Power U will continue its struggle for justice and racial equality. I am asking you to keep standing and fighting with Power U as they continue their work over the next 10 years. For me nothing would be a better parting commitment or gift than to know all you who supported us in these first 10 years to stick with Power U in the next 10 years and BRING a friend!
I want to assure you that the Board of Directors and I are working to ensure the smoothest transition to new leadership as possible. We have decided to strengthen our organization by dividing the total responsibilities of my position as the Director into 2 positions. As a first step, we have hired Jessica Pearl to be the Co-Director of Operations. She comes to us with over ten years in international relief and development experience. Jessica has been working with Power U since 2007, helping us with grant writing, financial management, and strategic planning. She is familiar with the Power U mission, staff, members, and partners making for an easy transition. We are looking forward to having her with Power U full-time.
Attached to this thank you is a copy of the job description for our Co-Director of Programs/Organizing. Please pass this announcement on to people you believe could bring creativity, vision and organizing experience to Power U.
Thank you all again for your personal support and care and your support to Power U.... Denise