Renard Monczunski
Renard Monczunski has been an organizer with the Detroit People's Platform since 2014, starting as a volunteer canvasser for the Community Benefits Agreement Campaign, which sought equity and benefits for communities experiencing the threat of displacement due to publicly funded development. His work in transit justice organizing began in late 2014 bus riders were experience long wait times, lack of reliable bus service, and experienced being stranded several times. His mentor, Linda Campbell and other organizers in Detroit inspired him to organize for transit justice and has made relationships through his “on-the-ground” outreach and connection with bus riders experiencing inadequate and unreliable public transportation access. Renard has been a bus rider for over 15 years and has lived in Detroit since 1994, where he continues to organize or racial justice, equity, and transit justice. Renard is a first-generation college graduate and proud alumnus of the University of Michigan, class of 2011, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Presentations from Facing Race 2024
For the People and For Justice: Building Black Power in Detroit
In this moment, the rise of authoritarianism and increased attacks on democracy call for Black-led movements to have sustainable long-term strategies that include defensive tactics that protect Black communities, and offensive strategies that address the root causes of economic disparities. The urgency in confronting criminalization, gentrification and exploitation of Black communities often leads funders to focus on supporting short-term, “winnable” reformist campaigns, which limits grassroots organizing and community power building.
This session will offer a deep dive into the power of investing in transformative community-led organizations working at the intersection of racial and economic justice in Detroit, Michigan. In this session, you will hear from Black community organizers and their philanthropic partner on effective ways to fund community organizations to win, and how to prioritize the needs of Black movements while centering impacted voices in strategy and solutions.
Housing, employment, criminalization, land rights, and racial justice are just a few areas that make up this crucial intersectional work. This session will highlight recent successes in Detroit, home to the nation’s largest Black-majority city, as a case study for this discussion.
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Detroit Justice Center and Detroit Peoples Platform will discuss with attendees innovative ways to support and implement successful campaigns for economic security and stability in Black communities. This session is open to funders and organizations who support or want to engage in organizing, power building, and supporting strategic campaigns in Black communities.
Speakers: Breechaye Milburn, Nancy A. Parker, Theo Pride, Renard Monczunski