Public Allies is an American
nonprofit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...
that operates an
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps ( ; officially the Corporation for National and Community Service or CNCS) is an Independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in ...
program and is dedicated to leadership development. Its mission is to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.
History
Public Allies was founded in 1992 by
Vanessa Kirsch and Katrina Browne, college graduates who wanted to challenge the notion that their generation was apathetic and uncaring. Grounded in the belief that the untapped energy and idealism of young people can be a powerful force for transforming communities, Kirsch and Browne created Public Allies to provide a pipeline for diverse young leaders to begin careers in public life.
The first Public Allies program was launched in Washington, D.C., with 14 Allies (members), with funding from the
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and
Surdna Foundation. Its first year, the program also received a demonstration grant from the Commission for National and Community Service, under President
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker BushBefore the outcome of the 2000 United States presidential election, he was usually referred to simply as "George Bush" but became more commonly known as "George H. W. Bush", "Bush Senior," "Bush 41," and even "Bush th ...
.
In 1993, Public Allies Chicago was launched with 30 Allies under the leadership of founding Executive Director
Michelle Obama
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama ( Robinson; born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, being married to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stat ...
. She served as Chicago director until 1996, and then as a national board member from 1997 to 2001. Also in 1993, President
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton (né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician and lawyer who was the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, ...
named Public Allies as a model for national service.
In 1994, Public Allies, along with
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or Habitat, is a U.S. non-governmental, and tax-exempt 501(C)(3) Christian nonprofit organization which seeks to build affordable housing. The international ...
and
YouthBuild, were among the first recipients of AmeriCorps grants, which allowed for expansion to Delaware, Milwaukee, and North Carolina. In 1995, Public Allies opened a site Silicon Valley and San Francisco, followed by Cincinnati (1998), New York and Los Angeles (1999), and Eagle Rock, Colorado (2002). Additional sites include Connecticut (2004); Arizona and Pittsburgh (2006); Miami, New Mexico, and San Antonio (2007); Indianapolis and Maryland (2009); Central Florida and the Twin Cities (2010); and Detroit and Iowa (2013).
In 2018, Jaime E. Uzeta was appointed CEO, replacing Adren O. Wilson, Ph.D., who served since 2014, and Paul Schmitz, who had served since 2000.
Public Allies has nearly 10,000 alumni.
In July 2022, the organization fired many staff and directors who were pushing for better pay and working conditions. Shortly after the Public Allies Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Uzeta, Jenise Terrell, a Public Allies alumna and long-time staffer, was appointed as the Interim CEO. In February 2023, Terrell was named CEO of Public Allies.
Logo
The Public Allies logo draws on Native American tradition to illustrate the impact individuals can have on their world. The handprint depicted in the logo represents the mark that people leave on their communities and on the people they touch in the course of their lives. The red swirl stands for the energy and idealism that drive people to serve their communities. The seven rays refer to a philosophy regarding the interconnectedness of the generations—the belief that an individual living today has been influenced by the three preceding generations and that the individual will go on to leave a legacy impacting the three generations to follow.
Mission and programs
Public Allies' mission is to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it. Their stated aim is to change the face and practice of leadership in communities across the country by demonstrating our conviction that everyone can lead, and that lasting social change results when citizens of all backgrounds step up, take responsibility, and work together.
There are multiple Public Allies sites nationwide, many of which are operated in partnership with a local nonprofit organization or university. More than 80% of Allies come from the communities in which they serve.
Public Allies has employed three main strategies to deliver its mission: 1) Paid apprenticeship and leadership program in partnership with AmeriCorps, 2) Alumni engagement, and 3) Advocacy.
Apprenticeship
Public Allies combines a 10-month nonprofit apprenticeship program with a community-centered, values-based approach to foster leadership development. For four days each week, Allies serve at a community-based nonprofit, and the fifth day is devoted to rigorous leadership training. All members also engage in a number of community service projects.
Alumni engagement
Public Allies continues to develop the leadership practice (i.e., their skills, career and network) and impact of the Alumni of its AmeriCorps Apprenticeship Program (#PAAlum) and those who've worked at Public Allies (#StaffAlum). As of October 2022, there are nearly 9,000 that comprise this network.
More than 85% of program graduates continue their careers in nonprofit and public service. In 2014, Public Allies organized its first Alumni Summit on Black Male Achievement in Washington, D.C. Summit attendees included 30 African American male program graduates, who advised White House officials on the Administration's "My Brother's Keeper" initiative.
Advocacy
Public Allies has been a leader in efforts to build the next generation of diverse talent and leadership for the non-profit sector. It has influenced the national service field to become more inclusive and has been seen as a pathway to opportunity. Working with Voices for National Service, the
White House Council for Community Solutions
The White House Council for Community Solutions was created by executive order of US President Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who was the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to ...
,
The Aspen Institute, and the Service Pathways Initiative, Public Allies played a major role in influencing
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps ( ; officially the Corporation for National and Community Service or CNCS) is an Independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in ...
, the
Corporation for National and Community Service
AmeriCorps ( ; officially the Corporation for National and Community Service or CNCS) is an independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in service through a variety of stipended volunteer wor ...
, and the broader national service field to increase the diversity of the people engaging in national service.
Core values
Public Allies’ six core values are integrated into the program:
*Collaboration: The ability to facilitate, negotiate, build consensus, build strong teams, and empower others.
*Continuous Learning: The ability to question assumptions and beliefs, understand strengths and shortcomings, and commit to continued growth within a community context.
*Diversity and Inclusion: The ability to work effectively and inclusively with different people and understand how to adapt to different cultures and environments.
*Focus on Assets: The ability to catalyze the natural leadership of everyone, be truly accountable to those served, and approach opportunities for change with awareness of community assets.
*Integrity: The ability to meet commitments, act responsibly with public and personal trust, and be accountable for words and actions.
*Innovation: The ability to respond to demographic, political and social shifts by acting in creative ways that generate new solutions.
Geographical reach and operating partners
Public Allies partners with nonprofit organizations and universities to operate multiple Public Allies sites nationwide.
Alumni
*
Michelle Obama
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama ( Robinson; born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, being married to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stat ...
(Founding Executive Director, Public Allies Chicago 1993), former
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is a title typically held by the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never been Code of law, codified or offici ...
*
Vanessa Kirsch (Co-founder and President & CEO 1992–1996), Founder and CEO,
New Profit Inc.
New Profit is a nonprofit social innovation organization and venture philanthropy fund based in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region ...
*
Sasheer Zamata
Sasheer Zamata Moore (; born May 6, 1986) is an American actress and stand-up comedian. She is best known for her tenure as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 2014 to 2017. Since her departure from ''SNL'' ...
(New York 2010), cast member, ''
Saturday Night Live
''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL'') is an American Late night television in the United States, late-night live television, live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The ...
''
*Omar Brownson (Silicon Valley 1997), the Executive Director at
Los Angeles River
The Los Angeles River (), historically known as by the Tongva and the by the Spanish, is a major river in Los Angeles County, California. Its headwaters are in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, and it flows nearly from Canoga Park ...
Revitalization Commission
*Jason Holton, (Milwaukee and National Office), Executive Director & Vice President at
City Year
City Year is an American education nonprofit organization founded in 1988. The organization partners with public schools in 29 high-need communities across the US and through international affiliates in the UK and Johannesburg, South Africa. City ...
Milwaukee
*Joe Matassino (Delaware 2000), Director of Development at
Delaware Center for Horticulture
The Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) cultivates greener communities by inspiring appreciation and improvement of the environment through horticulture, education and conservation. Founded in 1977, the Center's headquarters in Wilmington's T ...
*Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (Chicago 2000), Spoken Word Poet / Filmmaker / Interdisciplinary Artist
*
Matt Darby (Central Florida, 2014), former NFL player with the Buffalo Bills
*Abel Nunez (Washington DC 1997) is the Executive Director at
Central America Resource Center
The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) are two community-based organizations that seek to foster the comprehensive development of the Latino community. CARECEN in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region was founded in 1981 to protect the ...
– DC
*
Travis Rejman (Chicago 1995), Executive Director at
The Goldin Institute
*Jose Rico (Chicago 1994), Executive Director at
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
is a multi-agency working group within the Department of Education charged with strengthening the nation's capacity to provide high-quality education while increasing opportunitie ...
*Charles McKinney (North Carolina 1996, Program Staff of Public Allies North Carolina 1997–1999), Professor of Africana Studies at
Rhodes College
Rhodes College is a private liberal arts college in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), it is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South and is accredited by the Southern Associa ...
of Memphis, Tennessee
*
Malik Yusef
Malik Yusef el-Shabazz Jones (born April 4, 1971) is an American spoken word artist, poet, rapper, record producer, and director based in Chicago, Illinois.
Early life
Jones' surname means "King Joseph" (''Malik'' and ''Yusuf'', respectivel ...
(Chicago 1997), poet and Grammy Award-winning recording artist.
See also
*
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps ( ; officially the Corporation for National and Community Service or CNCS) is an Independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in ...
*
Teach For America
Teach For America (TFA) is an American nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to "enlist, develop, and mobilize as many as possible of our nation's most promising future leaders to grow and strengthen the movement for educational excell ...
*
City Year
City Year is an American education nonprofit organization founded in 1988. The organization partners with public schools in 29 high-need communities across the US and through international affiliates in the UK and Johannesburg, South Africa. City ...
References
{{Reflist
1992 establishments in the United States
AmeriCorps organizations
Leadership training
Organizations established in 1992
Service year programs in the United States