ABSTRACT

A progressive resurgence is happening across the United States. This book shows how long-lasting coalitions have built progressive power from the regional level on up. Anchored by the "think and act" affiliate organizations of the Partnership for Working Families (PWF) these regional power building projects are putting in place the vision, policy agenda, political savvy, and grassroots mobilization needed for progressive governance.

Through six sections, the book explores how Partnership for Working Families projects are a core part of the defeat of the right-wing in states such as California; the challenge to corporate neoliberalism in traditionally "liberal" areas; and contests for power in such formally solid red states as Arizona, Georgia, and Colorado. This book considers how these PWF groups work on economic, racial and environmental justice challenges, equitable development, and other critical issues. It addresses how, at their core, they bring together labor, community, environmental, and faith-based organizations and the coalitions and campaigns that they developed have won and continue to win substantial victories for their communities.

Igniting Justice and Progressive Power will be of interest to activists and concerned citizens looking to understand how lasting political change actually happens as well as all scholars and students of social work, urban geography, political sociology, community development, social movements and political science more broadly.

part 1|68 pages

Setting the stage

chapter 2|9 pages

From the Partnership for Working Families to PowerSwitch

Lessons and evolution from 20 years of anchoring affiliates

chapter 3|20 pages

Why cities matter

Governing for the common good and reclaiming democracy

chapter 4|18 pages

Regional power building today

A New New Deal revisited

part 2|52 pages

The founders today

chapter 5|31 pages

LAANE brain

Understanding the model and future of the Los Angeles alliance for a new economy

part 3|72 pages

From (neo)liberal to progressive cities

chapter 7|16 pages

Community labor united

Building bridges in Greater Boston

chapter 8|15 pages

Aligning labor and community groups

The Alliance for a Greater New York

chapter 9|25 pages

Building a bigger “We”

Reflections on more than a decade of building community power in Pittsburgh

chapter 10|14 pages

Racial justice is economic justice

Chicago's Grassroots Collaborative expands economic fairness by prioritizing racial equity

part 4|87 pages

Storming conservative bastions

chapter 11|15 pages

Transforming a conservative county

The development of the Center on Policy Initiatives

chapter 12|17 pages

OCCORD

Organizing in conservative territory: if you can't win the game, change the rules

chapter 13|15 pages

Georgia STAND-UP

Organizing for progressive power in the South

chapter 14|23 pages

Stand Up Nashville

Shaping a narrative of equity and inclusion in the “It City” boom

part 5|54 pages

Further Adaptions and Innovations

chapter 16|11 pages

Adapting the model for a purple state

United for a New Economy in metro Denver

chapter 18|23 pages

Organizing in rural towns and suburbs

Central Coast Alliance United for a sustainable economy

part 6|12 pages

Conclusion

chapter 19|10 pages

Conclusion

The challenges and opportunities to change regions, states and the nation