Kris Smith

Economic Activism

Worker-Owned Co-ops Are Building a Solidarity Economy in Michigan

Michigan's quiet revolution: worker-owned co-ops are building a solidarity economy, putting people over profit and fostering democratic workplaces. These co-ops advance equity, community wealth, and transform local businesses, offering a path to a more equitable future.

By Kris Smith • 4 min read

Political Organizers

Women's March: Kick out the Clowns - How to Host a Circus Action

"Kick Out the Clowns" is a Women's March action using satirical circus protests to target the Trump regime. Emphasizing big, bright visuals, it promotes budget-friendly organizing via community resources, thrifting, and DIY props. They hope to escalate protest, inspire hope, and foster solidarity.

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Resources for Organizing

Catalist: "What Happened in 2024" Report

Catalist's 2024 election report reveals concerning shifts among key voter groups like youth, men, and voters of color. However, it offers optimism for 2026, stating 'demographics are not destiny' and urging strategic adaptation for future campaigns.

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Michigan

Sen. Slotkin's Intel Briefing: May 23, 2025

Sen. Elissa Slotkin recently highlighted several significant issues impacting Michigan and the nation, stemming from a major bill passed in the House of Representatives and other administrative decisions. Referred to by some as the "big beautiful bill," it reportedly passed the House by a single vote after significant

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

Economic Activism

Using Your Wallet for Change: The Power of "Buycotts"

Every day, our spending choices offer powerful tools for social change. While boycotts can be important for protesting practices seen as unethical, focusing on supporting businesses that align with your values—using buycotts—can be a more powerful and sustainable approach. A boycott is an organized refusal to buy from

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

Political Organizers

Sister District Project: Ten-Year Blueprint for State Power

Sister District is a grassroots organization dedicated to building enduring progressive power in state legislatures across the country. Their mission is to improve people's lives and support Democrats by filling critical gaps at every point in the political life cycle. The key to Sister District's strategy

By Kris Smith • 5 min read

Michigan

An Evening for Planned Parenthood: Grand Rapids 2025

Planned Parenthood of Michigan invites you to join other dedicated supporters at their annual Grand Rapids area fundraiser benefiting Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI)

By Kris Smith • 1 min read

Health and Science

Measles Resurgence Across the US Fueled by Dropping Vaccination Rates

The United States is currently experiencing a significant increase in measles cases, reaching levels not seen in several years. As of May 16, 2025, the total number of confirmed measles cases across the country stands at 1,024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

Indivisible

Indivisible Truth Brigade: Use your voice to counter disinformation

Disinformation poses a significant threat, not only by spreading falsehoods but by being deliberately used to create harmful policies and laws. This deliberate spread of false information, often targeting marginalized communities like people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, aims to divide people, undermine trust in institutions and each other,

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

Health and Science

Working Families Party: Hands Off Our Healthcare "We are the ones we are looking for""

The digital meeting room buzzed with anticipation. It was a mass call, a gathering of concerned individuals from across the country, united by a shared purpose: to protect healthcare. Ash-Lee Henderson, the host from Working Families Power, welcomed everyone to this "all hands on deck moment". The urgency

By Kris Smith • 5 min read

Michigan

Senator Elissa Slotkin's Weekly Intel Briefing

In a recent weekly intelligence briefing, Senator Elissa Slotkin outlined three major issues developing in Washington that she believes have significant implications for Americans' economic security, national security, and democracy. One central topic discussed was the evolving story surrounding tariffs. The Senator noted that the administration has created a

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

Women's March

Women's March: Defend Planned Parenthood and Medicaid

Defend Planned Parenthood0:00/616.41× A recent post from the Women's March channel, titled "Defending Planned Parenthood," brought together leaders from key reproductive freedom organizations to discuss urgent threats to healthcare access in the United States. Rachel Oli Carmona, Executive Director of Women's

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Students Targeted Over Pro-Palestinian Activism, Attorney Alleges "Attack on Free Speech"

Students Targeted Over Pro-Palestinian Activism, Attorney Alleges "Attack on Free Speech" Law professor Ramsey Kasim of CUNY School of Law is representing several students reportedly targeted by U.S. immigration authorities, including Mahmud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Rümeysa Öztürk, and Masim Mahadawi. According to Kasim, these students, who are

By Kris Smith • 1 min read

Resources for Organizing

Women's March: Digital Defense is the New Front Line of Resistance

Digital Defense0:00/944.441× In an era where the online landscape is increasingly weaponized against activists and organizers, understanding and implementing robust digital security is not optional – it's essential for survival and effective resistance. This urgent message comes from the "Digital Defenders: Securing Our Resistance – Infosecurity

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Michigan

Mothering Justice: Detroit-based organization empowering mothers of color

Navigating the Unseen Toll: Caregiving, Culture, and Self-Preservation The Mothering Justice podcast, "Building the next generation of mom activists," recently dedicated an episode to the profoundly impactful and often unseen reality of caregiving. Hosted by Brenda Williams, the discussion featured Omari Minard, Shamil Dobs, and Ken Whitaker, who

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Michigan

Sen. Slotkin's Weekly Intel Briefing

Senator Slotkin Details Washington Impacts: Tariffs, Budget Cuts, and Rule of Law Concerns In a recent weekly briefing, Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan addressed key issues in Washington D.C. that she believes will have a direct impact on the lives of Michiganders and Americans across the country. Focusing on

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

Michigan Communities Mobilize to Confront Damages of Trump Administration's First 100 Days

Michigan Communities Mobilize to Confront Impacts of Trump Administration's First 100 Days Speakers condemned the administration's actions for prioritizing corporate interests over public good and individual rights, leading to rollbacks in environmental protections, worker safety standards, and civil liberties, while exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening essential

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Red, Wine, and Blue: Why are Republicans defunding the Weather Service?

Understanding the Attack on the National Weather Service: Project 2025's Blueprint for Dismantling a Public Good Amidst a backdrop of increasingly extreme weather events, including powerful hurricanes causing widespread power outages and destruction, a video explores a seemingly counterintuitive action by the Trump administration: the proposed defunding and

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Michigan

Indivisible Metro Detroit: John James Empty Chair Town Hall

Indivisible Metro Detroit John James Empty Chair Townhall0:00/686.61× An impassioned town hall event, organized by local groups including Macomb Defenders Rising (an Indivisible group) and co-sponsored by organizations like Fund My Future Michigan and Families for Fair Care, brought together hundreds of people in Michigan's

By Kris Smith • 3 min read

Indivisible National Leaders: "What's the Plan?"

* Indivisible views the current political climate as a constitutional crisis driven by creeping authoritarianism which demands broad-based, peaceful organizing across the country. * "No Kings Day," a next big national day of action scheduled for June 14th (Flag Day and Donald Trump's birthday), intended to be a

By Kris Smith • 2 min read

DOGE cuts to AmeriCorps leave Michigan tutoring program searching for new funding

by Lori Higgins - Chalkbeat Detroit, Michigan Advance May 2, 2025 This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy. A Michigan program that deploys reading and math tutors to

By Kris Smith • 3 min read