Lead Path Forward Organizer

 
 

Overview: 

Black Visions' role of Lead Path Forward Organizer will lead the development and implementation of Black Visions Path Forward campaign to transform community safety. By working alongside a team, Co-Executive Director, and the Campaigns Manager, this role will assess our campaign to date and develop, alongside community, partners, and our members, a long term strategy for the shape and breadth of the campaign.  

For the first year, they will focus on strengthening our Path Forward campaign including organizing toward a shared vision developed via People’s Assemblies, prioritizing Black partner relationships, implementing a robust base building effort, and hiring a Path Forward Organizer. They will also work alongside other organizing staff to invest and lead our community engagement/base building activities. The Lead Path Forward Organizer will be responsible for identifying and developing the leadership of a team of 10-12 community leaders, ready to take action together. 

  

This role will work alongside organizing and base building staff to develop and implement regular trainings, programming, and outreach events.  This role will represent Black Visions externally with partners, community members, and stakeholders.  

About Black Visions: 

Since 2017, Black Visions, has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us, as well, our direct experience in building within the Movement for Black Lives, in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota.Through our intentional growth process, we aim to center our work in healing and transformative justice principles, sustainability, and developing Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns. By building movements from the ground up with an integrated model, we are creating the conditions for long term success and transformation. 

Mission: Black Visions is a Black-led, Queer and Trans centering organization whose mission is to organize powerful, connected Black communities and dismantle systems of violence. 

Vision:  Black Visions believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community-led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.

Black Visions is currently in a period of growth, accountability, and development. All prospective applicants must be willing to grow with the organization as we move into our next iteration. 


Core Responsibilities:

Path Forward Campaign: 

  • Lead alongside Campaigns Manager the Path Forward campaign further development of campaign for 2022-2025 

    • Write, research, develop necessary materials to move strategies and tactics connected to campaign; Develop campaign plan and train others on its contents

    • Actively tracking policy, building legislative relationships, and leading lobbying efforts alongside policy staff

    • Directly coordinate with communications staff on narrative strategy

    • Lead campaign tactics including escalation and direct action, member coordination, and power mapping 

    • Manage Path Forward specific budget

    • Hold and move through conflict as it arises and is connected to Black Visions commitments and values 

  • Leads coalition building efforts for the campaign

    • Builds and maintains partnerships, especially with Black-led formations 

    • Ensures partners are engaged and informed 

    • Coordinate directly with campaign anchor partner Reclaim the Block

  • Ensure accurate tracking and entry of relevant campaign data

Team Management/Leadership: 

  • Lead coordination and facilitation of team meetings, goal setting, and planning 

  • Hire and manage Path Forward Organizer 

    • Support developing through co-working, consistent coaching, and on the job training 

  • Support sustainability and wellness of Path Forward staff and volunteer team 

    • Provide direct coaching/training 

    • Plan Pod meetings/retreats for coordination and team building

    • Work alongside the HR team to conduct evaluations, move through conflict, etc. 

  • Serve as a spokesperson to communicate vision of Path Forward campaign 


Leadership Development 

  • Actively building a campaign team of members (and potential members) who are regularly engaging and leading different aspects. Be present in the community to foster important relationships and identify new people to plug in. 

  • Develop and implement a field plan/base building strategy for the campaign including tactics of: trainings, events planning, door knocks, recruiting and leading volunteers 

    • Works with Organizing Manager to develop base building strategies to identify and connect directly with Black people about the campaign 

    • Implements regular outreach efforts alongside organizing/outreach staff and volunteers (tabling, doorknocks, etc)

    • Does follow up relationship building with community members via weekly 1-1’s

    • Supports PF Organizer in maintaining regular outreach and relationship building practice 

  • Develop and provide relevant trainings to volunteers, community members, and others the campaign seeks to connect with 

 Experience and Qualifications

  • 3-5+ years experience leading power building campaigns and coalitions

    • Including a clear understanding of base building and how to teach others how to organize 

    • Experience managing coalitions and networks 

  • 2+ years training/facilitation experience 

  • Supporting a team of staff and active volunteers/members 

  • Working knowledge of local politics and relationships with local BIPOC leader

  • Managing a small program budget 

  • Experience living, organizing, and working within Black communities 

  • Steadfast commitment to collective liberation and ability to speak and unite those behind Black Vision’s mission and vision

  • Strong writing and verbal communication skills; experience using Microsoft Suite, basic internet based technology and data entry/management 

  • Common sense, flexibility, and teamwork skills with the ability to exercise independent judgment

  • Time and project management skills; ability to pivot to meet current events and organizational needs while maintaining attention to detail

  • Working in collective or cooperative settings

  • Outgoing, positive, and open personality

  • Drivers License and access to transportation

Must be willing and able to:

  • Communicate needs and boundaries as they arise

  • Delegate tasks to focus on their primary role

  • Speak in front of small and large groups translation provided as necessary)

  • Speak to what Abolition is and why it is essential to Black liberation

  • Have a driver’s license and access to reliable transportation 

Salary will be set commensurate with experience and will include a full package of benefits including health and dental insurance, matching retirement, investment in personal development, and an expansive time off policy. 

Salary range: $60,000-65,000 pending experience 

To Apply: 

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and one work sample demonstrating your campaign and strategy development experience to jobs@blackvisionsmn.org --applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  

Black Visions is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage those with experience working within Black and LGBTQ communities, to apply.