Monthly Community Newsletter - December 2024

Dear Friends,

We Did That: A Successful Mix & Mingle

Thank you so much for making our Brookhaven Community Mix & Mingle this past Saturday such a tremendous success. It was an honor to gather with neighbors, leaders, and changemakers who are committed to building a stronger, more connected community.

We were especially grateful to welcome some incredible leaders who took time out of their busy schedules to be with us:

• Mayor-Elect Jelani Lindor of Stone Mountain and his wife

• City Council Member Rob Price of Dunwoody

• Nikki Porcher, candidate for Georgia Labor Commissioner, who is running a powerful campaign focused on workers' rights, fair wages, and economic justice for all Georgians

• Scout Smith, Vice Chair of Candidate Recruitment for the Democratic Party of Georgia, a tireless advocate for building our Democratic bench and ensuring we have strong candidates in every race

Their presence reminded us that building coalitions across municipal and district lines is how we create real, lasting change. Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers and committee members who showed up and showed out.

In this political climate, creating opportunities for us to connect face-to-face is more necessary than ever. The path to electing Democrats up and down the ballot begins with building strong community partnerships and genuine political camaraderie—and that's exactly what we're doing together.

Support Nikki Porcher for Georgia Labor Commissioner

Speaking of building power, we need to talk about Nikki Porcher. Nikki is running for Georgia Labor Commissioner, and she is exactly the kind of leader we need in office right now. As a champion for workers' rights and economic justice, Nikki understands the real challenges facing working families across our state.

Her campaign is focused on:

• Protecting workers' rights and ensuring safe working conditions

• Fighting for fair wages and economic opportunities for all Georgians

• Holding employers accountable and standing up for those who have been exploited

• Creating pathways to good jobs and economic security for working-class families

The Labor Commissioner's race is critical but often overlooked. This office directly impacts workers' safety, unemployment benefits, and labor law enforcement. We cannot afford to sit this one out.

Here's how you can support Nikki:

• Donate: Every dollar counts in a statewide race. Visit voteporcher4GA.com to contribute.

• Volunteer: Knock doors, make calls, or help with digital outreach.

• Spread the Word: Share her message with your networks and help build momentum.

Learn more and get involved: voteporcher4GA.com

Let's make sure Nikki has the resources and support she needs to win.

Get Involved: Your Community Needs You

Let's keep this energy going! Here's how you can stay engaged:

• Brookhaven Community Committee: We meet the third Tuesday of every month via Zoom to plan local actions and outreach. Your voice matters in shaping our community's future.

• Special Events Committee: We meet the first Tuesday of every month via Zoom to plan county-wide events like our candidate forums and community receptions. Please register here: https://www.mobilize.us/dekalbcountydemocrats/event/751697/

• Volunteer Appreciation Party: Mark your calendars for Friday, December 6th! More details coming soon. This is our chance to celebrate YOU and the incredible work you've done this year.

The State of Our Nation: Why Local Action Matters More Than Ever

While the government shutdown has officially ended, the damage lingers. Millions of families are still at risk of losing critical benefits, and health insurance premiums continue to rise at alarming rates. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average family premium for employer-sponsored health insurance reached over $23,968 in 2023, with workers paying nearly $6,575 of that cost—a burden that disproportionately impacts working-class families.

It is a shame that the current administration has divided our country in ways we haven't seen in generations. The recent release of documents related to the Epstein case has once again exposed the deep corruption and moral bankruptcy at the highest levels of power, implicating figures who have long evaded accountability.

But here's what I know: Democrats are fighting back. We are working to expand Medicaid, protect Social Security, defend reproductive rights, and ensure that every family has access to affordable healthcare. While Republicans continue to prioritize tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, we are focused on the people.

This is why our local work matters. When federal leadership fails us, our mayors, our city councils, our Labor Commissioner like Nikki Porcher, and our community organizations become the last line of defense. Your participation in local Democratic organizing is an act of resistance and an investment in our collective survival.

Support Black-Owned, Community-Centered Work

As we head into the holiday season, I want to remind you that Reparations Books & Cafe is here as a resource and a gathering space for our community. Whether you're looking for the perfect book for a loved one, want to support Black scholarship, or simply want to make a donation to keep this work going—every bit of support matters.

Visit us online: reparationsbooksandcafe.com

My personal site: hilerielind.com

Your support allows me to continue this work as a scholar, organizer, and advocate for our community.

In Closing: We Are Our Best Resource

Friends, I won't sugarcoat it—these are hard times. But I also know that we are built for hard times. Our ancestors survived worse, and they left us a blueprint: organize, support one another, and never stop fighting for what's right.

Let's continue to build this community together. Let's show up for leaders like Nikki Porcher who are fighting for us. Let's make sure that when history looks back on this moment, it will say that we did not sit idly by—we stood up, we organized, and we won.

Thank you for being part of this movement.

In solidarity and service,

Hilerie Lind