After six rewarding years of leading the Texas Organizing Project, I’ve decided it’s time to step down as the executive director. I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to the organization, and it will always be a part of me. A strong foundation for TOP has been laid, and scores of talented community leaders and effective organizers are in place in Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, ready to take our work to the next level.
When I co-founded the Texas Organizing Project, I did so arm in arm with a team of amazing organizers, a committed cadre of grassroots leaders and a fantastic board of thoughtful advisors.
Since our founding, TOP has built a powerful grassroots organization in the most challenging state in America, growing from a team of seven to a staff of 35, from a group of 50 grassroots leaders to a base of 122,000 members and supporters with an annual budget of $3 million, and from an initial program targeting just 4,000 voters to activating more than 100,000 infrequent voters of color. We built an organization that has coupled authentic community organizing with high-level political strategy and has delivered meaningful change in the lives of everyday Texans.
This has only been possible because of our extraordinary membership. It’s their sacrifice, tenacity and hard work that has secured historic affordable housing agreements, won millions in neighborhood investments, curbed the school-to-prison pipeline, and launched powerful community schools and economic security campaigns. It’s their boldness that relentlessly challenged Rick Perry and continues to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott on their senseless positions to block Medicaid expansion and halt the President’s executive orders to protect immigrant families. And it’s their power that raises the bar on what we expect from the elected officials we endorse, and drives hundreds of thousands of voters of color to the ballot box.
What’s Next
It’s always been our intention for the leadership of TOP to reflect the people of our membership, which is why I’m particularly excited that our board has chosen Michelle Tremillo as our next executive director. Michelle is one of TOP’s co-founders, current managing director and the smartest, most capable woman I know.
Michelle is a fourth generation Tejana, born and raised on the Westside of San Antonio, one of the very communities where TOP members live. She is the daughter of a single mother, grew up in public housing, worked hard to graduate from Stanford University, and has spent her entire adult life working for her community by fighting for racial and economic justice. Michelle has been an integral part of all of TOP’s successes, and there is simply no one else better to take the helm.
Michelle will take over as executive director on July 1st. I’ll continue on staff for the remainder of 2016 serving as the director of strategic initiatives. These initiatives include:
- Continuing to serve Houston communities by working with Mayor Turner on strategies to advance social and economic justice policy reforms;
- Supporting TOP’s lead staff coordinating electoral programs to increase voter turn out and win elections this fall; and
- Supporting TOP’s programs to train women leaders to serve on local boards and commissions.
TOP will continue to be successful because of the support from our thousands of members, allies, donors and supporters. The stakes are high for the future of Texas and our country. The grassroots leaders of TOP are the true voices of the organization, and I know deep in my heart they will continue to organize and lead the way.
Onward,
Ginny