Empower DC

District of Columbia, DC

Empower DC is a city-wide grassroots organization committed to building the power of low-income communities of color to create long lasting, positive change in our communities. We currently have active community organizing campaigns to save and improve Save Public Housing public housing, to ensure all children have access to high-quality neighborhood public schools, and to support the residents of Ivy City as they improve their neighborhood. Empower DC is a membership-based organization, and our members lead our campaigns, serve on our Board of Directors, and help set the organization’s priorities.

Our current major programs include:

Public Housing Campaign: Building the organized power of public housing residents to improve and preserve public housing and prevent displacement.
Equitable Development & Environmental Justice: Advancing community-led equitable development through informed grassroots engagement in DC’s planning, zoning and development decision making arenas. Leading grassroots and coalition efforts to advance environmental justice.
Ivy City/Crummell School Campaign: Securing safe recreational opportunities for Ivy City children, working towards the redevelopment of the long-vacant historic Alexander Crummell School as a Community Center.
Racial Equity Campaign: Influencing the adoption of city policy that advances racial equity.

Mission

The mission of Empower DC is to enhance, improve and promote the self-advocacy of low and moderate income DC residents in order to bring about sustained improvements in their quality of life. We accomplish our mission through grassroots organizing and trainings, leadership development, and community education. Empower DC is a citywide, multi-issue, membership-based community organizing project. Empower DC builds campaigns to address key issues that directly-impact our membership.