After five years of convening, growing and learning, I Am Why (IAW) officially incorporated as a charitable organization in 2021—and we are thrilled to announce we’ve published our first annual report detailing our vision and accomplishments in IAW’s signature style. Click HERE to check it out!
I Am Why is an organization led by an intergenerational female and gender-expansive team, and our different backgrounds
and viewpoints have continuously shaped the development of our leadership structure and directed our outreach to communities and partners. What began as a two-day workshop in 2018 that engaged eight activists, has now evolved into a network of 19 consultants working with a dozen partners in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Over just the past year alone, IAW conducted 10 workshops with seven community organizations. Our growth and momentum reflect the sprouting seeds of leadership we have watered, and the deepening roots of IAW as an organization.
The establishment of IAW’s board of directors in 2021 created a solid foundation for IAW’s future as a youth-led organization that can successfully drive policy, envision justice and inspire change. In 2022-23 we will continue to build on this foundation. Last month we hired our first co-executive director, and we are expanding our outreach and policy scope as we plan for the coming year. Our goal is to double the number of organizations we serve annually and increase the number of IAW youth consultants by 50 percent. This growth will help ensure IAW can continue to increase young activists’ ability to influence and change policies and make their vision for justice a reality.
Our annual report includes much more information on our progress, partner highlights and notable outcomes. Click HERE to check it out!
-Tracy, I Am Why co-executive director
