A New Chapter for Detroit Action: An Announcement from Executive Director Branden Snyder
On Sunday, October 15th it was my mother’s birthday and I am blessed that I was able to enjoy time with her and my family. Celebrating her resilient life, as well as other personal moments over the past year, has led me down a path of self-reflection.
I’ve been the Executive Director of Detroit Action for almost seven years and an organizer for the last 16 years. I originally began my journey as an organizer to address the challenges that I, and others in my family, experienced due to the criminal justice system. As I’ve gotten older, my “why” has changed a bit; I organize in order to create working class power for Black and Brown Detroiters — despite their backgrounds, age, or ability. I want to build a political home where people like my parents or my neighbors have power. Each day has been a blessing; sometimes the hardest days filled with the hardest moments of my life and others filled with immeasurable joy watching organizers and leaders work towards the future that we deserve. I found this work at the lowest place in my life and was inspired by the idea that, while no one would give us anything, we could demand and create something different if we had enough power to fight for it.
It is with this joy and hope for the future that I am writing to let you know that as of Feb 1, I intend on stepping down from my role as Executive Director at Detroit Action. I will continue to stay on throughout 2024 to conduct an internal hire for our next Executive Director and guide us through the 2024 Presidential elections.
I’m proud of what Detroit Action has become. We grew from the marriage of a hosted campaign and a service project to a statewide voice for Black and Brown working-class Michiganders. Starting with just three staff and growing to a full staff of 20+ full time positions, we lead with our members on issues of housing, education, climate and economic justice. Detroit Action works hand-in-hand with base building organizations across the state to make real change.
More importantly, I’ve had the privilege of building this organization alongside all of you. Together, we are in the fight of our lives to defend our democracy, to win racial and economic justice and to create a world that has never existed before. I have learned so much working alongside all of you, and I have tried every day to match your energy, commitment and strength.
We know that the struggle for justice continues — as will our work here at Detroit Action — and that the work we do together is as important as it has ever been. I also know that sometimes we lead and sometimes we follow, so I’m ready to contribute in other ways and to make room for new leadership that I know will make Detroit Action even more powerful.
I believe deeply in the work of community organizing. I believe deeply that regularly people — not lawyers, academics, or politicians — are going to lead us to the promised land. But that means that we each need to do the work in deciding if we want to be a powerful organization, dedicated to developing powerful leaders or if we want to win campaigns and do services.
If you are interested in building power with us at DA, you should join us at our first ever “Detroit Action Power Summit” this Saturday, where we will be co-creating our political plan and developing our shared “why”. If you want to find out where I’m going next or what I have up my sleeve, stay tuned.
I have deep hope and belief that you all will be able to create a political home where folks like my mother and father can be welcomed and embraced. Where they can grow into leaders for our movement and our community and have the power they need to change our neighborhoods.
In solidarity,
Branden Snyder
