Community Empowerment

“Those closest to the pain should be closest to the power.”
*– Congresswoman Ayanna Presley*
In traditional community engagement, those in positions of power are gatekeepers with control over the process, invitation list, and decisions. Community empowerment is grounded in the belief that populations that have been impacted by structural inequities are experts about their own conditions and should be resourced to drive the design and implementation of solutions to address them.

Our work in this area

Community Empowerment Design

Community Allies designs processes that redistribute decision-making authority, forging bonds of shared purpose to bridge historic divides in race and power and shift the systems holding power in place.

Community Meeting Design and Facilitation

Community Allies facilitates creative and thought-provoking activities that allow the wisdom of a group to surface, ensuring that all voices are heard and supporting communities in aligning around common values and shared purpose.

Stakeholder Mapping

Community Allies’ community-empowered approach identifies the populations most impacted by the issues at hand and determines a means to ensure that their voices are uplifted.

Testimonials

"Ellen has an unwavering commitment to equity and amplifying community voice, which shines through in her facilitation style and her policy and her program recommendations."

– Leilah Powell, Executive Director, LISC San Antonio

"Community Allies' insights into the importance of local partnerships and their ability to empower communities were exemplary."

– Cheryl Rosario, Director of D&I and CSR, Munich Re America Services

"Community Allies made possible important new conversations between our community members, city officials, and staff."

– Erika Wilhite, Artistic Director, Artists Laboratory Theatre

“Our firm has looked to Community Allies for insights on and tactics for working with communities of neighborhood businesses, community organizations, and residents that lead to lasting coalitions that generate neighborhood wealth and sustainability forward.”

– James Johnson Piett, Principal and CEO, Urbane Development

“Community Allies painted a data-driven picture of the existing needs of our community that allowed our board and staff to create a clear, mission-focused organizational road map for the next 3-5 years.”

– Margaret O’Conor, Executive Director, Common Pantry