Voting sets the tone for political engagement and strong voter engagement strengthens our work at CRS. We must have candidates who will create change in our communities and elected officials who we can hold accountable for this change.

Community Renewal Society believes voting rights are intrinsically connected to our work to eliminate barriers due to racism, poverty, and LGBTQIA+ rights and reparations, two of our most recent platforms issues. Meaningful legislation that compensates the descendants of enslaved Africans and allows all LGBTQIA+ people to fully enjoy the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness can not pass without supportive lawmakers.

In the wake of last week’s deeply disappointing Senate failure to restore and expand voting rights, that question hits a little harder. But the answer, I think, is the same—we are still what democracy looks like.

The bill would protect our elections from voter suppression, partisan sabotage, gerrymandering, and dark money.

Join us in hastening the day of freedom! Here are 3 things we can do!

This past week, Chicago lost a champion of civil rights, when author and historian, Timuel Black passed away at the age of 102. Read more about the important role played by Timuel Black in advancing social justice.

Community Renewal Society pledges to continue working against all forms of voter suppression, supporting advocacy groups, community organizations and our private sector partners to strengthen voting rights, as well as push for passage of voting rights legislation on Capitol Hill.

“Try to think bigger than you ever have or had courage enough to do: that blackness is not where whiteness wanders off to die: but that it is like the dark matter between stars and galaxies in the Universe that ultimately holds it all together. Here it is.” —Alice Walker

This short film follows Otis Moss, Sr. through his day long journey to cast his ballot in rural Georgia.

For more than 30 days before November's Election, numerous news outlets reported on the significance of a high millennial voter turnout. They did vote. Consider where a significant amount of voter registration activity came from ... and where it did not come from.

The next chapter in the story of the City of Chicago is currently being written. Unfortunately, history tells us very few people will participate in shaping the city’s future.

As we learned from the Civil Rights Movement, united and organized people can achieve life changing results. Every voter, every vote and every election matters. Join us to build our power and raise our voices together for justice.