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Southern Movement Committee
We are Black organizers, artists, creatives, and movement lawyers working with community members to implement transformative programs and policies developed by people directly impacted by incarceration, police violence, racism, and economic inequality. Our campaigns and projects build safe and just communities grounded in transformative justice, participatory democracy, and visionary leadership.
The Southern Movement Committee is organizing and building power in the US South for racial justice and human rights.
DONATE TO THE SMC
As a movement-building organization, your financial support makes a huge difference! Consider giving a donation to us today. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, your contributions to the Southern Movement Committee are fully tax-deductible.
IN THE NEWS
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Fox 17
October 21
City leaders work to launch Office of Youth Safety in Nashville to combat gun violence -
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Scoop Independent News
October 4
The legacy of slavery, segregation, white supremacy, and environmental racism haunts Tennessee. “A long history of anti-worker policies in the South—rooted in a racist agenda—has had devastating consequences for its residents.
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![Yes! Magazine]()
Yes! Magazine
OCTOBER 4
Cop Cities Meet Growing Resistance Nationwide
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The Tennessean
AUGUST 14, 2024
Dozens of young people lined up on a night in early June to voice their support before the Metro Council for funding to make Nashville communities safer, curb gun violence and reduce arrests.
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This Is Nashville
AUGUST 13, 2024
You've seen them around town, organizing Black Nashvillians to become greater participants in local, state and national governments. They are not the only organization in town to do this work, but they are one of the most effective....
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Tennessee Tribune
JULY 1, 2024
The Southern Movement Committee (SMC) celebrates encouraging news, as Metro Budget Chair Delishia Porterfield allocated $1 million to SMC’s proposed Varsity Spending Plan in her substitute budget that went into effect July 1.
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News Channel 2
JUNE 19, 2024
Addressing youth safety in Nashville
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News Channel 5
JUNE 19, 2024
What began as a dream and evolved into a proposal has now become a tangible reality for the youth of Nashville. The city is set to establish an Office of Youth Safety, aimed at protecting children from violence.
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News Channel 2
JUNE 13, 2024
The Southern Movement Committee is a democracy building, youth organizing, and community organizing organization focusing on TN, so right now our base is in Nashville. We organize young people around the end of the school-to-prison pipeline and really foster safe and healthy communities
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Tennessee Tribune
JUNE 13, 2024
Black Nashville Assembly (BNA), an extension of the Southern Movement Committee (SMC), is hosting its first family fun field day on June 15 to promote community togetherness.
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Nashville Banner
JUNE 11, 2024
Youth Violence Advocates Put Budget Ideas Front and Center
Varsity Spending Plan’ seeks $10 million for programs in schools and community centers aimed at cutting gun violence
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WPLN
JUNE 7, 2024
Nashvillians gathered at city hall to share their desires for the city budget with Metro councilmembers, one ask stood high above the rest: the Varsity Spending Plan.
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The Tennessean
JUNE 6, 2024
Nashville youth delivered a consistent message to Metro Council members during Tuesday's public hearing on the city budget: They want investments in community centers, an Office of Youth Safety and restorative justice programs in schools to address gun violence.
Support Our Annual Turkey Drive
SOUTHERN MOVEMENT COMMITTEE AND NASHVILLE GREEK PICNIC
Family Field Day 2024
Power
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Black Joy
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Self Determination
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Freedom
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Power • Black Joy • Self Determination • Freedom •
Our Campaigns and Projects
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Building power through participatory democracy, political engagement, voter mobilization, and community-led governance. The Black Nashville Assembly, along with the state-wide assembly structure is the vehicle we use to practice participatory democracy and co-governance inside of local communities in Tennessee.
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Movement lawyering and advocacy with movement organizations and community members in the South. We provide legal support to families who have been impacted by state violence and communities fighting for justice
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Building Youth Power by organizing young people to fight for education justice, strong communities, eliminate the school-to-prison pipeline, and police-free schools through our Youth Assembly.
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We are organizing to end incarceration and police violence by supporting community members as they navigate the criminal legal system and local campaigns to invest in public goods and divest from courts, cops, and cages.
OUR TEAM
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Erica Perry
Executive Director
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Jamel Campbell-Gooch
Organizing Director
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Mike Floss
Arts and Culture Director
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Nick Drake
Community Organizer
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Lauren Williams Batiste
Community Organizer
Board Member
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Tyler Whittenberg
Movement Lawyer
Board Member
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Anthony Johnson
Non Profit Strategist and Lawyer
Board Member
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Tiffany Williams Roberts
Movement Lawyer
Board Member
10K+ Black People Engaged
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36+ Political Engagement Events
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50+ Members
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70+ Sneakers Donated
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20+ Block Captains
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10K+ Black People Engaged • 36+ Political Engagement Events • 50+ Members • 70+ Sneakers Donated • 20+ Block Captains •
