our work
We’re investing in power, people, and policies that work for our communities.
Power
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Building the future we envision depends on every one of us making our voices heard at the polls and in our communities.
We knock on doors, pick up our phones, organize issue forums, host community listening sessions, and engage with voters all across the state to grow civic engagement. This is how we get out the vote. It’s how we build power for Black Arizonans and other members of the New American Majority.* And it’s how we elect leaders who will fight for us. For the 2024 election cycle, we knocked on nearly 800,000 doors, registered more than 8,000 new voters, and trained more than 150 volunteers.
*People of color, young people, and unmarried women are the New American Majority, and we’re more than 60% of all voters.
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Launched in 2019, Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona Political Action Committee (PAC) Is The largest Black-led PAC in Arizona history. We run Independent Expenditure campaigns to support federal, state, local candidates and issues to build a future that is inclusive, equitable, and prosperous. In 2020, we galvanized support to elect a historic number of women and people of color and helped increase the Black turnout rate by 11 points to a record high of 60%.
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Activate 48 is a coalition of BIPOC-led movement organizations working to envision and resource an intersectional & progressive agenda for the future of Arizona. Our coalition partners include LUCHA, Mi Familia Vota, and Chispa Arizona. While each Activate 48 partner organization is unique and powerful, we know that together we are stronger.
Our theory of change is rooted in the understanding that we build power close to home, and that grassroots organizing is at the heart of what we do. We make change at the state and local level working alongside our communities and investing in our people year-round and long term.
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In 2024, we worked with Black influencers in Phoenix, Tucson, and Pinal counties to boost voter turnout and spread the word: Voting Is Dope!
Our digital advertisements, physical billboards, and videos raised awareness for the issues on the ballot and directed viewers to a landing page where they could find their polling place, register to vote, and sign up to volunteer.
People
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The Young Black Organizer Project (YBOP) is a 6-8 week social justice and civic engagement fellowship designed for Black youth and young adults (ages 18–39) aspiring to change the world around them. Our mission is to build a pipeline of young Black leaders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to become leaders and decision makers through hands-on training, mentorship, and connections with community leaders and elected officials to grow their networks and influence.
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The Black Wave campaign is focused on building a powerful intergenerational coalition of Black institutions such as organizations, churches, community groups, and businesses to increase Black voter turnout. By providing these groups with the tools to fight for and protect our freedom to vote, freedom to choose, and freedom to shape the Arizona we envision, Black Wave is driving change.
Launched in 2020, it became the largest statewide Black voter turnout effort in Arizona history, boosting Black voter turnout by over 10% and helping flip Arizona blue. As we continue to grow, Black Wave remains committed to setting new records for Black voter turnout and making a lasting impact.
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Our Civics Scholars Program (CSP) is a youth development initiative for high school juniors and seniors, designed to empower them to lead civic engagement within their schools. Students receive college scholarships and comprehensive organizing training to create and sustain AZC4C chapters.
These chapters focus on voter registration, civic participation, relational organizing, event planning, and more, allowing students to drive meaningful change from within. CSP is building the next generation of leaders, ready to make a lasting impact in their communities.
The 2024 Civic Scholars earned $12,000 in scholarships and hosted their own event focused on the importance of expanding the number of Black and Brown teachers and administrators in Arizona schools.
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Unified Black African Descendants (UBAD) is dedicated to empowering and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black immigrants in the African diaspora. The program focuses on amplifying Black immigrant voices, advocating for policies that address their specific needs, and providing resources that support their growth and success.
Through policy advocacy, civic engagement, and narrative control, UBAD ensures that Black immigrants are no longer overlooked in key decision-making processes. By activating and equipping community members, UBAD is building Black political power and driving lasting change for Black immigrants in Arizona and beyond.
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Launching in 2025, the Future Leaders program helps young Black entrepreneurs (ages 18-35) launch new businesses in Arizona.
The interactive, 8-week curriculum covers business planning, planning, and licensing.
Local Black business owners will serve as guest speakers and mentors for participants, who will also participate in a pitch competition to win a business grant.
Policies
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We believe in an Arizona where all of our voices are heard and all of our votes count.
Where new Americans have a path to citizenship.
Where your body is yours and your freedom is protected.
Where the rich pay their taxes alongside the rest of us, and everyone can afford good housing, child care, and health care.
Where everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.
This is our Arizona. This is the future we believe in.
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Ensure all Black communities have healthy breathing air, safe drinkable water, and clean energy.
Build Black wealth through homeownership, entrepreneurship and access to capital.
Ensure all Black people have access to participating in the electoral process.
Provide all Black immigrants with readily available legal support, economic empowerment, pathways for self advocacy, cultural representation and inclusion.
Make sure youth voices and issues are prominently centered in all discussions regarding education.
Provide young Black men with alternative pathways to leadership. -
The Clean Energy and Clear Lungs Campaign aims to promote clean energy practices and reduce air pollution in BIPOC communities to improve lung health and reduce asthma rates.
We work to educate community members about the impacts of air pollution on lung health, promote the adoption of clean energy practices, and advocate for policies that reduce air pollution in Black communities statewide in Arizona.
We’re working to spread awareness about Reduction Act (IRA) resources to community members so they can take advantage of tax credits and rebates to improve energy efficiency.
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Our staff, volunteers, and canvassers helped pass Prop 139, a citizen’s ballot initiative that establishes the fundamental right to abortion and prohibits government interference in personal pregnancy decisions.