Lorde's Werq Summer Project 2020!

SONG has revamped the Lorde’s Werq Black Leadership Development program into a 10 week summer organizing assignment! We are selecting thirty-five (35) Black queer, trans, and gender non-conforming leaders to build Southern Black power, advance democracy, and inspire a social revolution. During the project, members will explore and expand upon what it means to engage our communities to build a stronger, more radical tomorrow.

The Program:

The reward of this work is not monetary, instead our main objective is to gain skills and build and strengthen new relationships. If we do it right, this cohort will have a transformative organizing experience that creates rIghteous work and leaves the local community stronger. While we expect Lorde’s Werq summer cohort participants to bring their offerings in service to the local work, the concrete program work will be determined by local leadership in your assigned city/town. The summer assignment will last from June 1, 2020 to August 8, 2020, with a May 31st arrival date.

Participants must be able to commit to the full 10 week organizing assignment and be willing to raise funds to help cover daily living expenses. We estimate the full costs to be roughly $200 per week or $2000 per participant. We will provide a modest stipend, housing and food (unless folks can support themselves). If you are not able to commit to the full 10 weeks, please support the program by raising money, volunteering, sponsoring a volunteer or donating supplies.

Three Core Areas of Work:

1. Building Alternatives to Community Violence (ex. restorative practices, de-escalation tactics, arts & culture for sustained movement, etc.)
2. Issue-based Civic Engagement (ex: canvassing to end pre-trial detention, combating voter suppression, mass mobilizations, direct action, etc.)
3. Political Education and Skill Building (ex: black history, abolition of the Prison Industrial Project, understanding social movements, direct action, facilitation, outreach, tutoring, etc.)

The Timeline:

• Week 1: Orientation to the local community, skill ups, relationship-building, and assignments 
• Week 2-5: Doin' the Lorde's Werq
• Week 6: A selection of members will be sent to the M4BL Black National Convention in Milwaukee, WI to represent their local community.
• Week 7-9: Doin' the Lorde's Werq
• Week 10: Closing Celebration
• OPTIONAL Week 11: 7th Annual Gaycation, August 13th to 16th (free registration!)

The Deadline:

Our goal is to have a summer cohort of thirty-five (35) people from across the region. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31st. Applicants will be notified on April 15th.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Shahidah Jones at shahidah@southernersonnewground.org