Community Organizing Initiative

New Voices for Reproductive Justice joins forces with the communities we serve to identify, prioritize, and solve issues in the vast field of reproductive justice facing our most vulnerable groups. As we make efforts to both embody and encourage true allyship, we draw from the knowledge base of the people who live in these communities where we are using our connections to bolster political action, spark mutual aid projects, and to partner with leaders and organizations to liberate Black voices.

We want to mutually educate ourselves and our communities about the issues that are important so that we can align based on our mission and vision so that we can generate the most impact where it is needed. Since every neighborhood and community has different needs and requires different supports, New Voices wishes to champion the voices of community members and leaders so that all can listen carefully to the needs of the people and work towards common goals. 

To reach the organizer in your city, contact organizing@newvoicesrj.org.

Find out what’s happening near you:

PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH
CLEVELAND

• RJ IGNITE is a 6-week organizing cohort for Black Reproductive Justice professionals, community members with limited access to reproductive justice focused educational opportunities, Black organizers, movement advocates and activists, and students ages 18-24 who want to deepen their understanding of Reproductive Justice and Organizing.

• RJ IGNITE is designed to increase participants' understanding and application of the Reproductive Justice framework, equipping them to challenge social and political contradictions rooted in anti-Blackness and misogyny.

Should display interest and action in core Reproductive Issues, including but not limited to Voter Engagement, Environmental Protections, Community Beautification, Black Maternal Health, etc.

The Pittsburgh Cohort will train collegiate students in social justice-relevant areas including but not limited to Education Equity, Environmental Justice, Juvenile Justice, School Pushout, Voting Rights, Health Care Access, Comprehensive Sex Education, Economic Justice, LGBTQ Rights, etc.

The Philadelphia Cohort will train Reproductive Justice activists, Black professionals and organizers, community leaders and members, and comrades from mission-aligned organizations.

• $500 stipend at the conclusion of the program

• Connections with emerging RJ leaders in the Greater Pittsburgh area

• Support in developing a community-centered capstone project

• RJ-informed community organizing tools and resources

• Organizational swag and cohort apparel

• Educational sessions from community leaders across the State of Pennsylvania

• Must identify as a Black girl, woman, or gender-expansive person age 18+ 

• Must reside in PA (priority given to people local to the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas

• Must participate in the interview process

• Must attend and actively participate in all weekly meetings between September 18th and October 27th. Meetings will be once weekly with virtual and in-person options.

• For Pittsburgh area participants: must be enrolled/accepted to higher level of education (trade, college, university) and should plan to major in a study focused on the core areas of RJ (Social Justice, Environmental Justice, Black Maternal Health, Mass incarceration, policy advocacy, or be able to connect their current major to the RJ movement*

• Applications open July 17, 2023 (PGH Application)

• Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm

• Interview Notifications begin August 9, 2023

• If application meets criteria, interviews process begins August 14, 2023

Questions? Contact Tausha@newvoicesrj.org

• Applications open July 17, 2023 (Philly Application)

• Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm

• Interview Notifications begin August 9, 2023

• If application meets criteria, interviews process begins August 14, 2023

Questions? Contact Ceshia@newvoicesrj.org