Just Paula: Building Power Without Permission

About this episode

Paula Swepson Avery discusses her journey into community organizing and the importance of grassroots movements for liberation.

What happens when everyday people stop waiting for permission and start organizing for liberation? This month, Paula Swepson Avery, Tzedek's 2025 Ella Baker Brilliance Award recipient, shares her journey into community organizing. It didn't begin with a plan or a grant, but with a plate of food, a room full of neighbors, and a question that changed everything: What is your vision for your community? That simple ask sparked a new way of thinking about power, one grounded in listenin...

People in this episode

Guest: Paula Swepson Avery

Topics covered

• community organizing
• liberation
• power dynamics
• social justice
• grassroots movements

Keywords

• community organizing
• liberation
• social justice
• power
• grassroots

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tzedek Social Justice Fund

Books & works: 2025 Ella Baker Brilliance Award

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