To those of you who were in Oakland and those who were there in spirit, thank you so much for being part of #LP2024. What an incredible three days!
This was our largest and most exciting national convening to date – with more than 60 different strategy meetings, workshops, and site visits, covering everything from social housing and welcoming new arrivals, to zoning, transit-oriented development, community responder programs, and navigating the challenges and opportunities in local governance.
We had more than 420 local elected officials, partners, and allies in community together – representing localities of every shape and size from Minnesota, Georgia, and New York, to Arizona, Texas, and Rhode Island. We created ecosystems grounded in collaborative governance. We exchanged ideas and found inspiration. We laughed, we cried, we danced, and we vibed out in Oakland. We made new friends and found the assurance we are not alone. Many of us found the clarity or the renewed energy we were looking for to be rooted in transforming our future.
Don’t forget to check out our photo album on Facebook, our favorite hot takes on Twitter, and all our favorite moments on Instagram!
We grounded ourselves in the work happening in our host city of Oakland — hearing about the incredible history of activism and organizing. We were lucky to be welcomed by our hosts Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, Council President Nikki Fortunato-Bas, and School Board Director Valarie Bachelor.
“Here in Oakland, ‘roots’ represent many things: the grounding force for our namesake Oak trees; the network of community ties that have been created through years of organizing; and our history of activism that is shaped by the likes of the Black Panther Party and the multi-racial fight for Ethnic Studies.” – Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
We were blown away by words of wisdom and much-needed agitations from special guests, including Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife and our keynote speaker Greisa Martínez Rosas!
“Building community relieves despair, because community has always been the antidote.” – Greisa Martínez Rosas, United We Dream Executive Director
“I was worried about this question but then I remembered that I was coming to ‘Local Progress’ not ‘Local Perfect’ and I appreciate that this is a space where we can figure things out and not have the pressure of being perfect all the time.” – Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County Executive.
“We have an allergy to wasted power.” – Andrea Batista Schlesinger, HR&A
We spent time learning from each other and strategizing together on local issues, including: how to utilize federal funds to tackle climate change; supporting working communities through project labor agreements; pursuing social housing; navigating bureaucracy; fighting for fully public schools; and organizing locally for action at the state level. We talked about pro-worker policies, public school facilities, police-funded recalls, and how to drive the narrative on public safety.
One of the most exciting (and favorite) parts of our convening: site visits! Where members and partners go to get out into the community to learn from local leaders about work happening in Oakland. We learned about youth violence interruption and prevention from Youth ALIVE! We explored what it takes to pursue transit-oriented development at the Fruitvale Transit Village. And we heard directly from organizers in the restaurant industry and community members fighting against the area’s largest polluters.
As LP Board Member Stephanie Morales reminded us: one of the most important things we build at our convenings is community. Talking policy and strategizing is important, but community is what keeps our momentum high, even in our lowest moments.
We built community in our identity caucus spaces, the hallways between sessions, and at the after-after parties. This year, our identity caucuses offered healing and meditation practices that gave leaders space to self-reflect and get in tune with their mental and emotional needs.
“I found the direction I’ve been searching for.”
“This was my first convening. Every part was memorable.”
“Each conversation with courageous principled leaders gives me hope for the future and inspiration for the work tomorrow. Every moment was my favorite moment.”
– 2024 National Convening participants
We couldn’t have asked for a more incredible time together.
One thing is clear: when we are rooted in reshaping our future, nothing can stop us. We are planting the seeds of change today that will shade future generations for a lifetime.
