IGNITE's Blog

The mass shooting this weekend in Buffalo, New York, was a horrific public lynching that once again exposes the pervasive hatred against and dehumanization of our Black communities.

Running for office remains the most fulfilling experience of my life. It gave me an opportunity to build deep connections across the community through canvassing. I built a pipeline of budding leaders and reshaped people’s perceptions of what a leader looks like in our community.

For decades, Roe v. Wade has stood as one of the most powerful symbols of progress towards reproductive justice for cis-women, queer, non-binary people with uteruses, trans men, Black, Indigenous and People of Color. It has also tangibly protected lives. The draft Supreme Court opinion released last night sent a monumental shock wave to any and all who have fought for reproductive justice in this country, particularly Black women, who have been and are leaders in the frontlines.

Christine Hernandez is IGNITE's Director of College Programs. She has spent over a decade as an educator focused on empowering communities at colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations. 

Free Rally For Women to Celebrate
In Times Square’s Father Duffy Square, April 27th at Noon,
With Lilli Cooper, Lea DeLaria, Suzy Nakumara, Julie White, and Partners

A woman born in 1998, I’m on the cusp of Gen Z, and many of us don’t see ourselves as political in the traditional sense. That said, we know injustice when we see it, and we’re more ready than any generation before to speak out about it. When we see issues affecting our communities, we step up and get involved. That’s why more than 100 of young women are heading to Sacramento today for an advocacy day.

(Sacramento, CA, April 4—For Immediate Release)—More than 100 Gen Z women will advocate with California’s legislators today as part of their effort to change society’s idea of what political leadership looks like in America. 

Sofia recently served as Communications Director for the Immigration Hub, supporting immigration-related advocacy through innovative communications and partnerships.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill into law on March 28, during the same week as International Transgender Day of Visibility. This bill, officially titled the "Parental Rights in Education" bill, "prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels.” Though this bill was passed in Florida, it’s part of a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that were introduced over the past year in states like Alaska, Arizona, Tennessee and more.