Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Floss.
Hi Mike, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Mike Floss on behalf of Southern Movement Committee:
We founded SMC in August 2021 as the non profit organization that holds the work of the Black Nashville Assembly(founded in 2020).
After engaging in Black organizing and participatory democracy
work in Nashville, we expanded our work to the US South through the
Southern Movement Committee.
We are organizers, artists, educators, youth leaders, and movement lawyers working alongside directly impacted communities to implement progressive, transformative programs that tackle systemic violence, racism, and economic inequality through issue-based campaigns.
As a community organizing and civic engagement organization, we are committed to base building and leadership development to shift power, strengthen democracy, and enable communities to govern themselves.
Our activities include civic engagement events, base building, community outreach, and leadership development to strengthen grassroots power and advance community-driven change in Tennessee.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many challenges that I am proud to say we have overcome. Community Organizing requires relationship building, leadership development, and outreach to increase our power to govern our communicates. All of these elements come with unique obstacles but we know that with our rigor, our people, and our commitment to our mandate we will persevere.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Southern Movement Committee (SMC)
The Southern Movement Committee is a grassroots, intergenerational organization based in Nashville that builds collective power through community organizing, civic education, and direct action. WE bring together young people and community members to move real issues forward, especially around youth safety, political issues, and equitable access to re resources.
We’re known for the Varsity Spending Plan. The Varsity Spending Plan is a $10 million investment in young people, families, and neighborhoods in Nashville that builds safer communities and addresses gun violence. The plan, developed by Nashville community members and proposed by the Southern Movement Committee, seeks a $10 million investment into Community Center Programming, Restorative Justice programming in high schools, and an Office of Youth Safety.
What sets us apart is how we build infrastructure for people to lead. Especially young people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oursmc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernmovementco/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernmovementco
