Nextgen Cincy | Community Organizer Genealogy Project

Samantha Brockfield

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Links

ADBC Summit 2011.pdf

My work with residents and stakeholders in Avondale's Avenue District has been instrumental in demonstrating the value of organizing to community development in Cincinnati. On a part-time basis I was able to organize a small and mighty group of resident leaders around quality of life improvements. These leaders have come together to improve streets, parks and institutional relations while also improving the perception of block clubs in our community council system.

Work History

Start Year	End Year	Organization	Position
2005	2007	Working in Neighborhoods	Organizer

Organizer Profile

What brought you into the work?:

My passion for social justice as well as a gift for bringing people together.

Share 3 lessons you have learned through your work in organizing.:

1. Relationship building within and across systems is the future of sustainable community development.
2. Sometimes power makes "concessions" without a "demand". Great! But first build community vision, leadership and seats at the table.
3. If we can't bring it home, empower ourselves and loved ones, then we fail.

Who has inspired you in your organizing?:

Sister Barbara Busch, Working in Neighborhoods

Marilyn Evans, Communities United for Action

Dave Scharfenberger, Working in Neighborhoods

Jim King, Avondale Redevelopment Corporation

Kathy Schwab, Local Initiatives Support Corporation

What movements or political moments have most influenced your organizing career?:

2001-present: Racial Injustice
2002-present: Free press
2003-present: Anti-war
2004: Election reform
El Salvador, 2005 CRISPAZ delegation: Immigrant rights and fair trade
Foreclosure crisis: Banking and financial reform

Share an accomplishment or list accomplishments from your career in organizing.:

Improved energy efficiency and organized block club in Northside.
Implemented community improvement survey in Elmwood Place.
Worked towards prevention of waste transfer station in Winton Hills public housing and passage of Environmental Justice Ordinance.
Successful campaign which renewed Office of Environmental Quality.
Organized a S.Cumminsville youth council and youth jobs program.
Avondale's Avenue District Block Club as community model.
Developed city-wide strategy for the role of organizing in community development.

What are the barriers to successful community organizing in this country? How can we overcome these barriers?:

Lack of resources to hire and train organizers, requires improved communication and collaboration.
Non-profit organizational culture hinders innovation and makes it difficult to sustain new organizing staff. If an organizer "gets it" then don't micro-manage.
More conversation is needed between the organizing and community development fields.
Diminishing participation of local leadership due to aging Civil Rights Movement generation.
Missing translation between block club homeowners and tenants rights work.

Are you still in organizing? If not, in what other fields have you worked? What are you doing now?:

I started in social work with AmeriCorps Public Allies, then to private college, and fell in love with organizing. After "losing" a local environmental justice campaign I decided to study Urban Planning. Currently I am a Program Assistant at LISC Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky working to expand the role of community organizing in sustainable community development. While I do miss "pounding the pavement" some days, I am honored to be in a position to help rebuild the capacity of local organizations to engage, organize and develop sustainable communities.

Genealogy

Visualize Samantha Brockfield's organizational relations

Samantha Brockfield's Trainers

Who developed and/or trained you as an organizer?

Person	Organization
Busch, Sister Barbara	Working in Neighborhoods (WIN)
Evans, Marilyn	Communities United for Action (CUFA)
Scharfenberger, Dave	Working in Neighborhoods

Samantha Brockfield's Coaches

Who has mentored, coached, or consulted with you in your organizing career?

Person	Organization
King, Jim	Avondale Redevelopment Corporation
Schwab, Kathy	LISC

Samantha Brockfield's Peers

Which of your peers influenced your development as an organizer?

Person	Organization
Dienger, Ellen	UFCW

Samantha Brockfield's Trainees

Whom have you developed or trained as an organizer? (Please list people who have stayed in the field or a related field for at least three years.)

Samantha Brockfield's Coachees

Who did you mentor, coach, or consult with you in your organizing career? (Please list people who have stayed in the field or a related field for at least 3 years.)