“All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you.”
-Octavia Butler
Eight years ago, I joined the PBP team guided by the idea that all of us, together, can and must transform democracy. I am proud to say that through deep partnership and a commitment to embracing change, I have had the opportunity to do just that alongside an incredible team. It is with deep appreciation and a full heart, that I announce my transition from the role of Co-Executive Director of PBP. Change is necessary, liberatory, and beautiful; it can also be hard and bittersweet. Starting a new chapter, I will be joining the team at the Center for Economic Democracy.
It has been an honor to be on this journey with such an incredible team and community. PBP staff, past and present, continue to inspire me in pushing the boundaries of what is possible and living into the values of participatory democracy. We have learned and unlearned together, holding each other well as we discarded ways of being that no longer served our organization and embraced new methods that embody our liberatory movement. This team is caring, creative, and radically collaborative. They are not only highly experienced practitioners of participatory budgeting but also individuals who model our values, break down barriers, and build power together.
Over the past eight years, I have witnessed and been part of many transformative moments. I’ve had the privilege of seeing participatory budgeting (PB) in action. Over the last eight years we’ve engaged with community members, fellows, youth, and PB delegates to make direct decisions about how public funds are invested in our communities. Over and over again, I have seen the transformative power that participatory processes like PB have to help us all deepen understanding and realize impactful solutions. One particular example of what this looks like that sticks with me is when a group of students in the height of the pandemic continued to come to virtual meetings to shape their school. In a moment that felt so impossible and isolating, I was reminded that young people are the dynamic leaders that we need right now and when we build spaces where we can show up together, we get a glimpse of the multiracial and intergenerational democracy that we’re working toward. Their excitement, determination, and rigor were a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
The PBP of today is not the same as it was 5 or 10 years ago. We have expanded from focusing solely on participatory budgeting to embracing a broader vision of participatory democracy. This shift has been shaped by the deep thinking and engagement of our team, partners, board members, community members, and others in our ecosystem. Supported by incredible partners, PBP has also adopted and deepened collective decision-making to align our internal work to the principles we advocate for out in the world. By integrating a sociocratic model through a consent-based process, we have tested and improved our collaboration, becoming better coworkers, facilitators, researchers, and stewards of multi-racial democracy.
Relationship building is key to transformation, and leadership = collaboration. My time at PBP has afforded me the opportunity to build deep meaningful relationships, navigate challenges, and innovate alongside some incredible leaders. For example, I had the rare honor of serving as Co-Executive Director alongside two women of color who are innovators and exemplars of leading through collaboration. During our shared time at PBP, I witnessed the power of living into a model of leadership that rejects the limitations imposed on us by a colonial mindset and invites our whole team to grow and step into leadership through shared decision-making. This legacy remains and is one I know the rest of the PBP team will take with them into the next chapter. As the organization continues to evolve and lean deeper into the principles of participatory democracy, I am excited to support the path ahead.
The ecosystem of participatory democracy is strong and growing stronger everyday. I am not going far; I will remain with all of you in this ecosystem of leaders re-imaging, fighting for, and collaboratively building a world where communities hold real decision-making power in the institutions, policies, and budgets that impact their lives. During my time at PBP I got to collaborate with the team on many partnerships and network weaving initiatives and events. Our collective efforts are more vital than ever, and I am excited about the radical future we will build together.
Now, PBP is at a new horizon. The Participatory Budgeting Project is poised for growth and impact, ready to transform democracy at this moment. Our commitment to equity, transparency, and support during transitions has positioned the team to embrace new horizons with confidence.
I’m ready to support what’s next with all of you. Although I’m leaving my role as Co-ED at PBP, I remain committed to the work of collectively building a democracy that allows us to heal, address and repair harm, and shape a future in which we can see ourselves thriving. I hope you’ll join me by becoming a recurring donor (as I am), subscribing to our newsletter, and staying connected through our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you for your unwavering support. I am undeniably changed by my last eight years with the PBP team and all of you. Your unwavering commitment to transforming democracy will continue to light my path going forward.
Elevate,
Shari Davis
