WHO WE ARE

We’re movement leaders and funder allies committed to resourcing movement organizations & infrastructure rooted in the Southern communities.

We came together during the height of the pandemic and in the wake of the racial uprisings that followed the extrajudicial killing of George Floyd.

THE SOUTHERN MOVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS DRIVING THIS WORK

organization

SOUTHERNERS ON NEW GROUND

A home for LGBTQ liberation across all lines of race, class, abilities, age, culture, gender, and sexuality in the South.

organization

PROJECT SOUTH

A movement building institution that produces popular education tools, organizes community and regional initiatives, and supports grassroots organizers and educators in the U.S. South.

organization

HIGHLANDER

A catalyst for grassroots organizing and movement building in Appalachia and the South.

organization

ALTERNATE ROOTS

A coalition of cultural workers based in the US South who strive to be allies in the elimination of all forms of oppression.

organization

THE SMILE TRUST

Fights against homelessness and works toward fixing food insecurities.

organization

THE ORDINARY PEOPLE
SOCIETY

Provides hope and care for those facing addiction, incarceration, homelessness, poverty, and illness, regardless of background or status.

organization

People’s Advocacy Institute

A community resource and training incubator for transformation justice in the global south based in Jackson, MS.

organization

AGITARTE

An organization of working-class artists and organizers promoting cultural solidarity with grassroots
anti-oppression movements, offering creative alternatives for global transformation.

OUR TEAM

organization

RODRESHIA
RUSSAW

The Ordinary People’s Society

organization

ALLYN
MAXFIELD-STEELE

Highlander Research and Education Center

organization

Valencia
Gunder

The Smile Trust

organization

Wendy
Shenefelt

Alternate Roots

organization

SARAH
BANDY

Southern Power Fund

organization

ADA
SMITH

Solidaire Network

organization

SALIMAH
SALAAM MUHAMMAD

Highlander Research and Education Center

organization

CHANTELLE
FISHER-BORNE

Grantmakers for Southern Progress

organization

TAMIEKA
MOSLEY

Grantmakers for Southern Progress

organization

CANDACE
ABDUL-TAWWAB

People’s Advocacy Institute

organization

COLETTE
PICHON-BATTLE

Taproot Earth

organization

STEPH
GUILLOUD

Project South

organization

JORGE
DIAZ

AgitArte

organization

RUKIA
LUMUMBA

People’s Advocacy Institute

organization

AESHA
RASHEED

Southerners on New Ground