ABOUT POWER

"...All of us have our moral convictions and concerns, and so often have problems with power. There is nothing wrong with power if power is used correctly. You see, what happened is that some of our philosophers got off base. And one of the great problems of history is that the concepts of love and power have usually been contrasted as opposites - polar opposites - so that love is identified with a resignation of power, and power with a denial of love.

...What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love."

?--Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Where Do We Go From Here", 1967

VOTER REGISTRATION/GOTV

Increasing voter registration and turnout is an important aspect of building power, but this is just the beginning of our work.

POLICY ADVOCACY

We advocate for policies to expand voting rights/access, including expanded early voting, resisting voter ID, re-entry restoration of rights and strengthening the Voting Rights Act. We also advocate for policies that intersect with race, gender, economic and other aspects of equity.?

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING

We help development infrastructure where little/none exists. This includes staff training, candidate development and network development.?

INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

Although not a major aspect of our operations, BVMF will on occasion fund activities related to specific elections.