Through connections Shana met while on Chuy García’s campaign in Chicago, she was invited to be a founding member of a new and innovative organization called The People for Bernie Sanders, that used a distributive, digital organizing model to help lay the groundwork for what would later become Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.
Using a similar model that she learned though her work with P4B, she founded the organization Illinois for Bernie Sanders, which was imperative to getting Bernie on the ballot and bringing the official campaign to a state that they had believed previously was unviable.
In the final stages of the Bernie campaign, after her staff position in Illinois came to an end, Shana felt a level of unrest and dissatisfaction with the status quo that she had not seen in her lifetime. Acting upon this, she began organizing the creation of a crowdsourced “People’s Platform” as an alternative to the platform the DNC was putting forward. As a companion to this platform, Shana organized a national convention to take place in Philadelphia the same week of the 2016 DNC Convention called, The People’s Convention.
Over a thousand people traveled from all over the United States to participate in this special event, that featured workshops, a live democratic process for ratifying the “People’s Platform,” panel discussions, rousing speeches by Sen. Nina Turner, Dr. Jill Stein, and other activists, as well as a day long World Café relationship building space.
“The People’s Convention” is a perfect example of Shana’s ‘Grande Scheme’ style of organizing, where an idea that at first seems unattainable given the constraints, and is made a reality due to her careful strategy, mobilization of people power and financial support, and execution of the plan –on time and with meticulous attention to detail. And those who were there on that hot Philadelphia day will never forget the experience!
Founder and Lead Organizer | The People’s Convention 04/16 – 08/16
Founded and organized The People’s Convention, attended by 1000+ people from across the country looking for an alternative to the 2016 DNC in Philadelphia, PA. Acquired. Sen. Nina Turner and Dr. Jill Stein as keynote speakers. Managed the crafting and ratification of The People’s Platform, of which racial, climate and economic justice were prominent planks.
Digital Manager | Organizing 2.0 04/15
Handled social media coverage of the 2015 Organizing 2.0 conference, live posted key programmatic takeaways and created graphics to promote the event and encourage online participation.
Midwest Regional Director & Special Events Director | The People for Bernie Sanders 04/15 – 08/15
Point person for grassroots events and meet-ups nationwide, assisted supporters with strategies for promoting and coordinating successful campaign events and coordinated dynamic event agendas. Acquired guest speakers for nationwide conference calls.