Census Counts Launches ‘Stories for Change’ Series to Boost Digital Organizing

2020 Census Resources, Census News 06.26,20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tamika Turner, [email protected], 419.913.8088

WASHINGTON –  The Census Counts campaign today launched Stories for Change, an expanding and downloadable series of videos, quote graphics, and infographics featuring storytellers and census advocates connecting census participation to a wide spectrum of advocacy, including racial justice, immigration, disability, labor, and faith. Each featured participant speaks directly to their own communities on the opportunity the 2020 Census presents to claim the funding, resources, and political power they deserve. The series of three videos were developed in partnership with Arab American Institute, the Arab Resource Organizing Center, The Arc, and Faith in Public Life. 

This collection of digital assets, produced by NextDayBetter, is designed to be ready-made content usable for digital organizing including, social media, textbanking, paid media, and email.

All Stories for Change resources are hosted at censuscounts.org with additional stories coming soon. A PDF with links to all Stories for Change resources can be downloaded HERE.

Statement from Beth Lynk, Census Counts campaign director, The Leadership Conference Education Fund

“Stories for Change makes the census personal. People want to know the real, tangible ways census participation improves their everyday lives. They want to hear from people in their community who understand their experiences. NextDayBetter knows how to take a singular story and reflect a community’s collective experience. We’re so grateful to each person who generously allowed us to help share their story. 

“Authentic storytelling is a powerful organizing tool. When people see themselves in the census, when they understand the future they could build with more resources and more political power, they get counted. So many organizations’ resources and capacity to spearhead story creation have been strained by the extended census timeline. Stories for Change eases the burden on census digital organizers so they can keep their focus on getting people counted.”

Statement from Ryan Letada, CEO, NextDayBetter 

“This campaign centers marginalized voices that too often get overlooked in the media. Our collaboration with Census Counts inspired us to design stories that are not only inclusive, but also intersectional. We believe that whether you are a Latinx labor organizer from an immigrant family or transgender woman of color on the autism spectrum, being seen in media gives dignity to everyone — not just those who participated in this campaign, but to everyone else who will see themselves in these stories.”

“Stories for Change humanizes the benefits of census participation. With The Leadership Conference Education Fund on the frontlines of civil rights advocacy for decades, we had permission to engage community organizers and trusted voices that will further help to mobilize digital organizing efforts. We are so grateful for this partnership that motivates historically undercounted communities to participate in the 2020 Census, as part of the broader fight against inequity and racism, while moving towards a better, more just nation.”

VIDEOS

A PDF with links to all Stories for Change resources can be downloaded HERE.

This initial set of videos features storytellers from San Francisco, Calif., Detroit, Mich., and Upper Marlboro, Md., and were created in conjunction with the American Arab Institute, the Arab Resource Organizing Center, The Arc, and Faith in Public Life:

  • Lara Kiswani: How Arab Americans Build Power with the Census (YouTube)
  • Elizabeth Graham: How Census Can Give People with Disabilities a Fair Chance  (YouTube)
  • Rev. Dr. James Perkins: How Census and Our Faith Help Fight for Black Lives (YouTube)

QUOTE GRAPHICS 

     

A PDF with links to all Stories for Change resources can be downloaded HERE.

This initial collection of graphics features advocates from advocacy organizations explaining what’s at stake for their individual communities:

  • Arab American Institute
  • Asian American Federation
  • First Alaskans Institute
  • Fort Washington Collegiate Church
  • National Black Justice Coalition
  • NALEO Educational Fund
  • SEIU Local 1000
  • Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
  • YWCA USA

INFOGRAPHICS

     

A PDF with links to all Stories for Change resources can be downloaded HERE.

This initial collection of infographics explains how the 2020 Census:

  • Ensures children have access to critical programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, and Head Start.
  • Includes, for the first time, the option to identify as being in a same-sex relationship if you live with your spouse or partner.
  • Allows people to identify as more than one race and to write in their own race and ethnicity if they choose.

BACKGROUND:

The Leadership Conference Education Fund, which houses the Census Counts campaign, resources national and local partner organizations with communications and field guidance, assets, templates, and tools to support outreach to communities that have historically been missed in the census. As Census Counts mobilizes to get communities counted in the wake of coronavirus, digital outreach is more important than ever. 

Background on the Census Counts campaign can be found HERE.

Background on NextDayBetter can be found HERE.

To speak to a Stories for Change storyteller or to a participating organization, please email [email protected].

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