At Bread for the City, the Terrance Moore Organizing Institute has been a transformative experience for both its participants and facilitators, helping build grassroots leaders who are dedicated to advocating for justice in our communities. Over the course of eight weeks, the program equips participants with organizing skills and strategies, empowering them to take action on the issues they are most passionate about, like affordable housing, senior services, and support for returning citizens. For almost a decade, the program has cultivated passionate advocates committed to making a lasting impact in their neighborhoods, building a stronger, more just Washington, DC.

Latisha Boyd, a recent graduate, joined the Institute looking for ways to support her community. For her, the experience expanded her understanding of community action, providing tools to channel her passion for addressing gun violence, an issue that hits very close to home for Latisha.

“The Institute helped me organize better and showed me that community involvement is key to making change,” Latisha shared. “It also made me realize that when we come together, we can make a positive impact out of difficult situations.”

One of the core lessons Latisha learned was the importance of building relationships with others who share similar struggles. She described the powerful connection she formed with other participants, especially seniors living in difficult housing conditions. Hearing their stories helped her understand their needs and how organizing can address systemic injustices, like the lack of safe and reliable transportation. “It makes you want to fight for their rights,” she said, explaining how her empathy for their struggles fueled her drive to act.

This year, the Institute was led by a group of alumni including Brita Jackson, who shares similar sentiments about the power of storytelling and connection. BJ, a senior herself, became involved in the Institute after utilizing Bread for the City’s services and building relationships with our client leaders. Now, as a facilitator, she’s helping others find their voices, particularly those who have felt overlooked or underrepresented.

“I never saw myself as a leader,” BJ reflected, “but it turns out that helping people just came naturally.” Her role has been about building confidence in participants and encouraging them to share their stories as a tool of healing and collective action.

For both Latisha and BJ, the Terrance Moore Organizing Institute is about more than learning skills—it’s about creating lasting change.

“I want the participants to walk away confident enough to start their own groups,” BJ said. “We need more leaders in different neighborhoods across DC, and this program helps people realize that they have the power to create change.”

“Once you get connected with someone who shares your passion, the possibilities open up,” Latisha added. “You can be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.”