2021 Communications Institute
2021 Communications Institute: Go Beyond
From February 23-25, 2021, The Opportunity Agenda held its 2021 Remote Communications Institute, embracing the new, ever-changing circumstances we’ve found ourselves in to offer social justice leaders the latest, most innovative approaches in virtual communications, narrative and messaging development, digital media, and online organizing.
In this difficult time, when we continue to find ourselves pulled toward the call to action, yet face the constant challenges of navigating virtual spaces, we recognize the essential need to provide advocates, activists, and cultural strategists with an online learning and convening space where they can be trained in the latest communication and narrative practices. That is why this year, the Communications Institute stepped up to the challenge to Go Beyond by going remote.
The Remote Communications Institute is an invite-only fellowship that brought together a cohort of 20 social justice leaders to engage in a comprehensive online curriculum. Fellows learned the latest best practices in a variety of communications skills, including:
- Narrative and Messaging to Persuade and Activate Audiences
- Media Strategy to Engage Effectively with your Target Media Outlets
- Refining Your Power as a Spokesperson
- Broadcast Media Appearances Preparedness
We are proud to recognize the incredible talent, resilience and fortitude of this year’s Fellows, who have faced an unprecedented year of challenges, hardships, and trauma, but also moments of great success and joy in their work. They are the true leaders of the historical moment we find ourselves in, and we are beyond privileged to be supporting them in their endeavors.
Meet the 2021 Fellows
Kat Evasco
Program Director of Artist Leadership, Center for Cultural PowerKat Evasco is a queer, Pinay immigrant writer, theater artist, and content creator committed to honoring and celebrating the experiences of immigrants, women, and LGBTQ communities.
Get To know KatVenkayla Haynes
Digital Communications Manager, Black Voters MatterVenkayla Haynes is responsible for developing, implementing and managing all online communications for Black Voters Matter.
Get To know VenkaylaEunisses Hernandez
Executive Director and Co-Founder, La DefensaEunisses Hernandez is a policy advocate and campaign strategist with nearly a decade of experience in working with communities most devastated by criminalization, the war on drugs, and mass incarceration.
Get To know EunissesRobert Saleem Holbrook
Executive Director, Abolitionist Law CenterFormerly incarcerated, Robert Saleem Holbrook writes extensively on prison abuse, social injustice, state violence and juveniles charged and sentenced as adults.
Get To know Robert SaleemJosephine Kalipeni
Executive Director, Family Values @ WorkJosephine Kalipeni is committed to transforming systems and policies, including dismantling racism and toxic narratives of individualism, scarcity and “the deserving.” She leads with the belief that those most impacted by the problems are closest to the solutions, and has worked in policy advocacy, organizing, and strategy development for two...
Get To know JosephineBarbara Lopez
Director, Make the Road CTOriginally from California, Barbara Lopez is a first-generation American. In her role, Barbara will take Make the Road CT to the next level of its work as a statewide multi-issue and multi-generational organization.
Get To know BarbaraBrenda Lozano
Executive Director, Dream Action OklahomaBrenda Lozano is passionate about community organizing, a skill that she first learned at home.
Get To know BrendaTania Mattos
Policy & Northeast Monitoring Manager, Freedom for ImmigrantsTania Mattos is an Aymara descendent, Bolivian born, Queens-based organizer, activist, and strategist. She focuses on assisting community-based visitation and human rights monitoring programs in detention centers and supports policy and advocacy efforts at the federal and state level throughout the northeast region.
Get To know TaniaJuanita Monsalve
Senior Marketing and Creative Director, United We DreamJuanita A. Monsalve is a cultural, creative, and digital strategist working for the freedom of all communities of color.
Get To know JuanitaRicardo J. Negron-Almodovar
Legal Services Coordinator, LatinoJustice PRLDEFIn his role, Ricardo J. Negron-Almodovar assist those transitioning from Puerto Rico to Florida after Hurricane Maria devastated the island and led election protection efforts to ensure access to the ballot box for Spanish-dominant voters.
Get To know Ricardo J.