Building Grassroots Power for Public Education and Beyond with Damaris Allen

No Matter What Happens: A Race Forward Podcast Series

In this episode, Anastasia Ordonez, Director of H.E.A.L. (Honest Education Action & Leadership) Together, and Damaris Allen, Executive Director of Families for Strong Public Schools, reflect on the 2024 election results and their far-reaching implications for racial and educational justice. Damaris emphasizes the urgency of grassroots organizing to counter growing threats to public goods like education, which remain under sustained political attack. Anastasia expands the conversation by highlighting the critical intersection of public schools with broader movements, such as climate justice, demonstrating how advocacy for educational equity is deeply connected to larger systemic issues. Together, they outline strategies for strengthening community-based power, shifting from reactive resistance to proactive planning, and building a foundation of resilience to confront challenges ahead.

The discussion underscores the importance of collective action in fostering hope and driving transformative change. Anastasia and Damaris explore how public schools serve as a battleground for the broader fight against inequity and authoritarianism, positioning them as key to safeguarding democracy and community well-being. They share insights on mobilizing local communities to reclaim public education and advance a vision of justice that centers the needs of all families, particularly those most marginalized. By linking grassroots organizing with long-term strategies and solidarity across movements, the episode offers actionable pathways to sustain hope and momentum in the fight for a just and equitable future.