CLEVELAND — Local democracy building organization, Cleveland Votes, is working to build community knowledge about civic structures with the Democracy Collective, or DemCo.

What You Need To Know

  • Local democracy building organization, Cleveland Votes, is working to build community knowledge about civic structures with the Democracy Collective, or DemCo

  • It’s a nine-month program for local organizers, where they gain knowledge and resources for navigating the local political landscape, and by the end of the program, participants launch a project related to community work they’re passionate about

  • Beyond launching participant projects, leaders say the collective aims to help build the community’s wealth of knowledge and spark more conversation

  • Applications for this year’s cohort have closed, and DemCo leaders said they plan to announce who’s been selected next week

It’s a nine-month program for local organizers, where they gain knowledge and resources for navigating the local political landscape, and by the end of the program, participants launch a project related to community work they’re passionate about.

“A lot of people, both in our conversations and through that strategic planning process, report it to us that there are some basic elements of just organizing that they are unaware of or just the politics of Cleveland,” Erika Anthony, co-founder and executive director of Cleveland Votes, said. “We have city council, we have county council, we have our state legislators, right? These are things that unless you study this in school, that is not easily accessible.”

DemCo aims to bridge that gap. Those interested must apply to take part, and up to 12 applicants are selected in each cohort. Stipends are available to those who need access to computers or other resources.

“I think that a lot of people have a lot of really awesome passions and want to be activated, but oftentimes they don't have the resources,” Lique Gates, Senior Strategist at DemCo, said. “Or, if they do have the resources, they're not readily available. So, having something that not only provides tools for you to learn, but also pays you, which is another barrier that people often face when entering any type of cohort has been really helpful.”

Kirby Broadnax, who works directly with participants as the program's facilitator, said they look for people who are already working to improve their communities, but need support.

“The program has a really explicit emphasis on uplifting people in Cleveland who are doing really important work but who may not have the spotlight shown on them,” Broadnax said.

The first cohort wrapped up in May of this year, and Willow Watson was one of the participants.

As a BIPOC member of the LGBTQ+ community, Watson said before taking part in DemCo, she lost motivation to be engaged in politics because she doesn’t see herself represented in local civic structure.

“I was not a voter until within the past four years,” Watson said. “And I feel a little bit more encouraged to like, encourage also my friends to engage at least locally, then like our voting process because it is for harm reduction, even if it's not like the ultimate solution.”

Anthony said that’s what it’s all about.

Beyond launching participant projects, she said the collective aims to help build the community’s wealth of knowledge and spark more conversation.

“We know that there are systems designed to reduce access to information,” Anthony said. “We know that there are many, many policies that do not promote equitable and accessible opportunities for all. And so for us, we want to relinquish all of that. You know, lower the gates and really make sure that people get an inside look.”

Applications for this year’s cohort have closed, and DemCo leaders said they plan to announce who’s been selected next week.

The program will kick off on Sept. 7.