Innovation Luncheon: Lessons from The College of Constructive Hell-Raising

How does political Change really happen? Does it come from the top, down, or the bottom, up? Is it more often propelled by desire to do the right thing, or desperation? Is it won by fact-based policy debates, or guile? Where do you go to learn how to win Change? Especially if you have no money or people? In Texas, there's only one place: DFW's own College of Constructive Hell-Raising. Contrary to trends emphasizing short-term and technocratic answers, The College offers a slow-cook, relationship-based approach to deep Change-Making. Since 2017 it's semester-long class has combined community organizing principles with eye-witness accounts of successful local social justice fights. It's 90-plus alumni learned how political underdogs can acquire and use collective power to win their campaigns. Many have put their education into practice as leaders of local non-profit advocacy groups, including Dallas Neighbors for Housing, Inclusive Communities Project, Grow North Texas, and the Tarrant Transit Alliance.

Featured Speakers:

- Jim Schermbeck, Director, The Organizing School
- Jessica Ramirez, Vice President, Kleberg Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch
- David Carranza, President, Kleberg Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch

*SILS tickets are not considered a charitable donation for tax purposes.

* Members of the media/press should email Seth Block, Director of Collective Impact (sblock@svpdallas.org) for press credentials. We ask that members of the media, who are attending SILS for the purposes of reporting, request press credentials and do not purchase a ticket.


Category: Community | Fundraisers | Charities