On March 11th, 2025, the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) hosted its first Leadership Development training since the pandemic, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to strengthening community leadership. This training provided a space for emerging and seasoned leaders to engage in discussions about vision, the contrast between the world as it is and the world as it should be, and how to navigate the tension between those two realities. A key focus of the session was understanding and harnessing anger as a tool for organizing—transforming frustration into action.

Carlil Pittman and Jasmine Serrano facilitated the English-language session, while Joel Rodriguez and Imaltzin Astorga led the Spanish-language session, ensuring that diverse voices within the community could fully engage in the conversation. This training was just the beginning, as it marked the first of a four-part series occurring every Tuesday evening throughout the month.

One of the night’s most powerful moments came when participants split into two groups to debate whether the School Board budget should fund teacher raises or repay city pensions for workers. While both sides passionately defended their positions, they agreed there should be enough funding for both. The room fell silent when they learned this was a real, ongoing issue—highlighting the reality of budget decisions being made and the tension that is caused when you want the best for your community.

SWOP’s Leadership Development training is designed to equip community members with the skills and knowledge necessary to organize for meaningful change. If you’re interested in learning more about upcoming training sessions, please reach out to info@swopchicago.org for details on future opportunities.

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