Architects of Hope

In the first livestreamed episode of Architects of Hope, host Julie Fernandes and three rockstar guests analyze how everyday people, especially in Black, Latino, and Asian American communities, shaped the electoral terrain in the months leading up to the mid-terms and showed their power on Election Day. People are getting organized and showing up in big numbers because they are frustrated with a system that’s not delivering for them and are ready to rebuild a better, more hopeful America. Julie is joined by:Johns Hopkins Professor and MacArthur Genius, Hahrie HanCEO of Sojourn Strategies and Black Values Researcher, Katrina GambleOrganizing Lab Founder and Visionary Grassroots Leader, Doran SchrantzThese experts bring data and stories from the ground to reveal how long-term organizing created the conditions for a surge in voter turnout in key counties and states. They take audience questions and assess our nation’s progress toward a strong multiracial democracy.Resources and Links:Understanding the Disaffected Electorate: https://tinyurl.com/4f57r2puBlack Values Research 2019-2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnwlJ0tJ1oBlack Values Survey: https://blackvaluesresearch.org/Latino Values Research in NV 2026: https://tinyurl.com/54k6j95tLatino Values Research in AZ 2024: https://tinyurl.com/2mr6ymsh AAPIValues Research in NC: https://tinyurl.com/ycyknx4uBuilding Civic Homes: https://tinyurl.com/hxwbf4fpState Power Fund: https://www.statepowerfund.org/Civic Power: The Role and Impact of Independent Political Organizations in Expandingthe Electorate and Building Governing Influence: https://tinyurl.com/mrb3u8yjBooks by Hahrie Han: https://www.hahriehan.com/booksThe P3 Lab at Johns Hopkins University: https://www.p3researchlab.org/The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University: https://snfagora.jhu.edu/DPI Fund Report: Learning to Build Power: https://tinyurl.com/59kuzaueWho Are Your People? Civic Leadership and the Sources of Powerhttps://tinyurl.com/2rkwwky9The New Republic: https://tinyurl.com/mcbed598#elections #midtermelections #voting #democracy #authoritarianism #trump #organizing#communityorganizing #powerbuilding #civicengagement #politicalpower

In the first livestreamed episode of Architects of Hope, host Julie Fernandes and three rockstar guests analyze how everyday people, especially in Black, Latino, and Asian American communities, shaped the electoral terrain in the months leading up to the mid-terms and showed their power on Election Day. People are getting organized and showing up in big numbers because they are frustrated with a system that’s not delivering for them and are ready to rebuild a better, more hopeful America. Julie is joined by:Johns Hopkins Professor and MacArthur Genius, Hahrie HanCEO of Sojourn Strategies and Black Values Researcher, Katrina Gamble and Organizing Lab Founder and Visionary Grassroots Leader, Doran Schrantz These experts bring data and stories from the ground to reveal how long-term organizing created the conditions for a surge in voter turnout in key counties and states. They take audience questions and assess our nation’s progress toward a strong multiracial democracy.Register now: https://architectsofhopepodcast.org/live-registration Resources and Links: Understanding the Disaffected Electorate: https://tinyurl.com/4f57r2pu Black Values Research 2019-2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SnwlJ0tJ1o Black Values Survey: https://blackvaluesresearch.org/ Latino Values Research in NV 2026: https://tinyurl.com/54k6j95t Latino Values Research in AZ 2024: https://tinyurl.com/2mr6ymsh AAPI Values Research in NC:https://tinyurl.com/ycyknx4u Building Civic Homes: https://tinyurl.com/hxwbf4fp State Power Fund: https://www.statepowerfund.org/ Civic Power: The Role and Impact of Independent Political Organizations in Expanding the Electorate and Building Governing Influence: https://tinyurl.com/mrb3u8yj Books by Hahrie Han: https://www.hahriehan.com/books The P3 Lab at Johns Hopkins University: https://www.p3researchlab.org/ The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University: https://snfagora.jhu.edu/ DPI Fund Report: Learning to Build Power:https://tinyurl.com/59kuzaue Who Are Your People? Civic Leadership and the Sources of Power:https://tinyurl.com/2rkwwky9 #elections #midtermelections #voting #democracy #authoritarianism #trump #organizing#communityorganizing #powerbuilding #civicengagement #politicalpower

In this inaugural episode of Architects of Hope, host Julie Fernandes speaks with Minister JaNaé Bates Imari, co-executive director of ISAIAH and Faith in Minnesota.Drawing on the successful efforts to force a drawdown of ICE agents from the Twin Cities earlier this year and the long fight to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated Minnesotans, JaNaé shares lessons on how organizing – rooted in developing belonging and collective agency – transforms everyday people into leaders with the collective power to drive meaningful change.Key topics:JaNaé shares how her work as an organizer is rooted in helping people gain a say over the conditions of their lives, homes, and communities.She describes ISAIAH as a “house of many rooms,” with multiple constituencies organizing together, including Muslim communities, Black churches, childcare centers, rural families, manufactured home residents, and more.JaNaé explains how she discovered organizing as a path forward after years of exhaustion and heartbreak working with families impacted by police violence in Cleveland.The conversation goes deep on Minnesota’s response to Operation Metro Surge, where clergy, business owners, labor unions, and everyday residents organized to resist ICE raids and protect neighbors.JaNaé and Julie talk about how nonviolent collective action, including a statewide economic shutdown, helped shift conditions and pressure decision-makers.The episode highlights the importance of “belonging before belief,” creating spaces where people feel safe enough to act.JaNaé lays out the current work to protect democracy, inoculate communities against disinformation, and prepare trusted messengers in other states.She closes with stories of two leaders, Imam Mohammed Omar and Pastor Martha Bardwell, as examples of people who discovered their power, used it to lead others, and built spaces for others to step into theirs.Resources and Links:ISAIAH - The Minnesota-based multiracial organizing coalition described as a “house of many rooms.” https://www.isaiahmn.org/Faith in Minnesota - A statewide faith-based coalition working on racial justice, economic equity, and democracy. https://faithinmn.org/Restore the Vote Coalition - The coalition behind Minnesota’s campaign to restore voting rights to people on felony probation. https://restorethevotemn.org/Kids Count on Us - A childcare organizing network representing community-based childcare centers across Minnesota. https://www.kidscountonus.com/Muslim Coalition - A statewide organizing network of mosques and Muslim communities connected to ISAIAH. https://www.facebook.com/MuslimCoalition/Democracy & Power Innovation Fund (DPI Fund) - The DPI Fund is a community of organizers, researchers, and funders working to strengthen grassroots civic organizations and build the multiracial democratic practices that enable everyday people to exercise real power. https://www.dpifund.org/