Together, We Forge Forward. TOA Is Here for You.
November 6, 2024
Today, we woke up to a demoralizing reality—Donald J. Trump will be President of the United States again. For those of us committed to social justice, racial equity, and opportunity for all, we may be entering one of the most challenging presidential terms of our lives.
We understand the feelings of despair, exhaustion, and anger that you and your community may be experiencing right now. We are feeling it too.
But know that, even in this difficult moment, you are not alone.
Twenty years ago, The Opportunity Agenda (TOA) was created precisely for times like these—to be a source of support, strategy, and resources for the social justice field. Our work is entirely focused on helping you counter some of the most harmful and pervasive narratives our country has seen, by leading with visionary narratives that we know can shape the future.
We’re here to help you find renewed strength and avoid burnout.
We can’t sugarcoat it—the years ahead will be challenging. President-elect Trump’s campaign was fueled by fear-based narratives and disinformation targeting immigrants, BIPOC communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and religious minorities. And now he’ll double-down on those narratives to enact the same cruel policy agenda that defined his first term.
But we’re prepared for this.
We know these narratives aren’t new—they are rooted in white supremacy, transphobia, misogyny, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. They threaten the freedoms and safety of so many.
The proven staying power of narratives is why our mission is so critical in the months ahead.
At TOA, we’ve studied the powerful, often insidious effects that fear-based narratives have on public opinion. We stood with you by issuing guidance on how to defend against Muslim bans or denounce the inhumane incarceration of immigrants and families arriving at our borders. We did it before, and we’ll do it again.
We will support you through the challenges ahead.
We will continue to offer the research-based messaging tools, narrative trainings, and cultural strategy interventions we’re known for. Here are some offerings we will be rolling out in 2025:
- Immigrant Narrative Strategy Table, convening the field to establish new narrative pathways for immigrant justice.
- Pilot Campaigns that will drive stronger civic engagement in BIPOC communities across the country.
- Updated Communications Toolkit, drawing on our latest anti-white supremacy narrative research with new messaging recommendations.
- New Collaboration Initiatives with artists, entertainers, and other cultural leaders at the forefront of cultural strategies.
- Health Equity Communications Lab, established to activate rapid response efforts and drive health justice narrative-building.
The path ahead is going to be tough. But together, we can expand the public will to challenge white supremacy, overcome messaging that excludes and divides us, and champion narratives that support opportunity for all.
The stakes are high. We need your support more than ever. Will you stand with us once more by donating today? With your support, our movement can face these years with renewed resilience, unity, and purpose.
We believe in our ability to make change together, as a stronger, better-organized movement. At TOA, we have not lost hope. We are here with you, and we’ll take this on together.
In solidarity,
Robin and the entire TOA team
