Turn This Moment Into a Movement

Are you ready to create social change?

I’ve heard you. This moment in our country’s history has changed you. And you’re ready to turn this moment into a lasting movement.

You want to create a more fair, just and equitable world. You just need to know how to get started. And that can feel like a big question when there’s so much you want to change.

But you’re not on your own. As a lobbyist, community leader and a social impact strategist with a graduate certificate in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University, I want to share my toolkit with you.

Here is your road map

Ready to get your hands dirty? Here are some steps you can take to start creating the impact you want to see.

Connect and assess. You’ll want to sign up for my updates at www.terribwilliams.com. This will allow you to download the Movement Map, an asset for those who want to start movements in their community. It will help you identify how you can have a true, measurable impact.
Commit to a cause. Once you have identified a cause, commit to it and pledge to go deep. For example, we know that the inequities Black Americans face in the U.S. justice system start with the school-to-prison pipeline. If this is an issue that you want to take on, learn everything you can about it affects your community and about related social justice issues. For example, if the school-to-prison pipeline will be a focus for you, what do you know about discipline policies in your local school system?
Make your investment. How much capital — financial, human, etc. — are you willing to invest? The Movement Map is a great resource in guiding these decisions and determining next steps.
Lead change. Next you’ll want to write a political engagement plan. There are a lot of things to include in this plan:

- Are you or your allies willing to sit on a city/county/state board or commission around this issue? If so, how do you make that happen?
- Do you know any current or former elected or appointed officials or public servants? They can be some of your fiercest champions.
- Are you willing to write letters to the editor or op-eds on the issue for local media?
- Are you willing to testify at city council, county commissioners court or at the state legislature on the issue?
- Are there regulatory statements you can make to support or oppose the issue?
- How can you educate the public on the issue?
- Will you endorse the issue publicly?
- Are you ready to help a friend run for public office? Or are you ready to run?
- Can you afford to make political signs, bumper stickers or buttons?
- What type of press and social media can you generate around the issue?
- What aspects of the policy issue will you back? At what point will you walk away if the policy doesn’t do enough to help the community?

You are not alone

Finally, remember that movements aren’t built alone. You can bring others in to help get this work done and you shouldn’t do this work as a team of one.

I’m praying for discernment to bring more of the right tools to www.movementmakertribe.com to help you in this journey. In the meantime, please know you can always email me if you need clarification or help. We need you. I need you. It’s our time — let’s own it!