Leadership Development

Leadership Development

“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

Assata Shakur, American political activist and member of the Black Liberation Army

Black Hogwarts is a summer institute focused on training young activists and organizers in Wisconsin to be the next leaders in our organization and the community. The program’s skill-building and leadership development revolves around four pillars of learning: Intersecting Anti-Oppression Work, Civic Engagement, Political Education and Community Organizing.

Several LIT organizers hold hands, facing each other.

Pillars of Learning

Intersecting Anti-Oppression Work

Guided by Assata Shakur’s words, young people will work toward losing the chains and building a loving, supportive community of accountability and equity with one another.

Civic Engagement

Young people will commit to engaging other young people and their community year-round to increase voter registration, voter turnout and civic awareness.

Two LIT organizers stand next to each other, one carrying several turkey feathers.
Several LIT organizers stand next to each other. One is speaking while the others listen.

Political Education

Young people will explore the history of political movements, understand current political debate and analyze the historical contexts of today’s political climate.

Community Organizing

The heart of the program is understanding community organizing. Young people will gain firsthand knowledge of and experience in basic and advanced organizing.

Three LIT organizers are reading from a piece of flip chart paper. One is holding the paper, one is pointing at words, and the other is looking on.

more of our work

Issue-Based Organizing

Our campaigns reflect our priorities. We’re challenging local and state political institutions and fighting for an equitable society with racial, gender, economic and LGBTQ+ justice at the center of our work.

Civic Engagement

We are building the next generation of leaders of color by uplifting youth voices, providing leadership development opportunities and empowering young people to take action.