Welcome to my blog!

Hello, my name is LaVida Davis and I am a community organizer and trainer. I am also the principal and founder of The Asha Group—a collective of Black women who work with community organizations and individuals to confront the many issues facing our people (our website, www.theashagroup.com will be up soon). In addition to focusing on affordable housing and education issues, the Asha Group is currently heading-up an anti-violence organizing project that focuses on African American women on the south and west sides of Chicago.

Some of the most profound changes that have happened in this country’s history have been the result of everyday people deciding enough was enough. Whether in church basements, at kitchen tables or in school rooms, people have hammered out strategies to create a world that was better—fairer and safer for ourselves and our children.

The members of the Asha Group are the inheritors of these strategies. We are mothers and daughters, organizers and advocates, academics and students, everyday workers and professionals. We actively bring together folks that research and study problems facing our communities with folks on the frontlines who live with the problems and create the victories.
The Asha Group is also based on the principal that the best way to build capacity is to create a place where theory and practice meet—where an analysis of class, race, gender and sexuality inform how we organize a campaign, cut an issue or engage the community.

It is my hope to use this blog to contribute to the larger “progressive / leftist” movement. As a women who is married with a 10 year-old daughter, a Black feminist and a person who holds the humanity and wellbeing of the entire Black community her primary goal, I have a lot to say.
I look forward to using this space to comment on local /national news stories (upcoming presidential elections, immigration, etc…) along with the many ways Black folks are represented in larger pop culture—music, books and sports. Yes I said sports! In my house, the husband, kid & I all have fantasy football teams and love baseball & basketball (GO BEARS, WHITES SOX, & BULLS!). I want to also send mad love to all women athletes (my kid plays fast pitch softball).

So there you have it. A little overview of me and what you can expect.

Until later…PEACE!

LaVida :)