AFL-CIO and Fight for Democracy Announce Recipients of Engage and Empower Grant

LGBT Detroit’s legislative advocacy program Pride Decides to receive grant to increase voter registration and mobilization, and civic engagement.

(Detroit, MI) Monday, October 28, 2024 - Today, the AFL-CIO and Fight for Democracy announced LGBT Detroit as a recipient of the Engage and Empower Grant. The Engage and Empower Grant is designed to enable organizations in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to expand voter outreach and registration, civic engagement, and capacity building activities. In total, more than ten grants were awarded through the initiative.

Established by the AFL-CIO, the Engage and Empower Grant was created to provide 501(c)(3) organizations with the resources to increase voter participation and expand equitable representation. Among this year’s grantees are: Berrien Connection (Michigan), BlackPush Inc. (Georgia), Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta Inc. (Georgia), Detroit Disability Power (Michigan), Dominican Center (Wisconsin), First Iconium Baptist Church (Georgia), Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda (Georgia), Georgia STAND-UP (Georgia), Latinx Technology and Community Center(Michigan), League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund (Michigan), LGBT Detroit (Michigan), Michigan Education Justice Coalition(Michigan), Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition(Michigan), Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (Michigan), Sherman Park Community Association(Wisconsin), Transformative Justice Coalition (Georgia), Urban Underground (Wisconsin), Voces de la Frontera (Wisconsin), Voter Empowerment Collaborative (VEC)(Georgia), Warriors on Wheels of Metropolitan Detroit(Michigan), Wayne State University (Michigan), and Wisconsin Election Protection (Wisconsin).

“Full voter representation means widening the net so that everyone, those who live in major cities or hail from communities that historically were prevented from exercising their right to vote—are brought into the democratic process,” said Liz Shuler, President of AFL-CIO. “We are proud and excited to partner with Fight for Democracy in supporting these very worthy organizations, who are dedicated to ensuring that all of us have a seat at the table in this democracy.”

“Fight for Democracy is grateful for the opportunity to work with the AFL-CIO on this critical initiative,” said Trey Daniels, President of Fight for Democracy. “With their generous support, we are working with organizations across the U.S. to scale nonpartisan civic engagement to reach thousands of our nation’s most diverse voters - and ensure they have everything they need to participate fully in our democracy.”

“Pride Decides is a non-partisan comprehensive voter engagement and legislative program,” states LGBT Detroit executive director A. Nzere Kwabena. “Since 1994, LGBT Detroit has had a significant history in voter engagement. Candidate forums (Mayoral, Gubernatorial, and State Congressional), voter registration drives, and voter education events have empowered and educated members of the LGBT+ community on their voting rights and guided them to ensure their voices in every election cycle.

For more information about the grant recipients and their initiatives, please visit thefightfordemocracy.org.

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About LGBT Detroit: LGBT Detroit, founded in 1994, is a multi-entity nonprofit celebrating 30 years of curating safe, brave spaces. The organization commits to furthering its mission, increasing the prominence and visibility of Detroit’s LGBT+ culture, and building a strong, healthy, and vibrant community, focusing on economic and racial justice, health care disparities, global sexual freedoms and expressions, and anti-discrimination policies. LGBT Detroit activates, amplifies, and sustains LGBT+ culture, education, advocacy, and human rights while envisioning all world citizens are treated fairly and equitably under the law.