DLS is grounded in the belief that local groups possess invaluable expertise and are essential drivers of change. Our role is to amplify their impact by helping scale up their efforts, building effective strategies, and supporting them to win. We challenge the scarcity model and the belief that success must come at the expense of others. Instead, we embrace the idea that "Rising Tides Raise All Boats"—a win in Augusta is a win for everyone. We believe that the South holds the key to shaping the nation's future, as the South's progress often mirrors the nation's trajectory.
OUR WORK
Learn about our work!
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Demo Lab South facilitated the creation of and now coordinates the Asian Americans For Texas (AAFT) table. AAFT’s mission is to build a movement of Asian Americans who are pushing forward a fully participatory democracy in Texas. The table empowers Asian American communities to engage at all levels of government through collective policy advocacy, capacity building, youth organizing, civic engagement campaigns, and multilingual programs.
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In 2022, Demo Lab staff led the first statewide BIPOC environmental justice study and policy report. Surveying over 1,000 participants across the state, in over twelve counties, including but not limited to: Fulton, Gwinnett, Dekalb, Cobb, Walton, Bibb, Richmond, Chatham, Doughtery, Tift, and Coffee.
This survey created a baseline understanding of the ways BIPOC communities are experiencing EJ + climate issues and was translated into several languages including Korean, Chinese, Gujarati, Bengali and Spanish as the Demo Lab South team worked to connect with various immigrant communities. It is our hope that this research study serves as a catalyst for continuing to engage and invest in the experiences of BIPOC communities in regards to environmental justice and climate change issues. We hope this work leads to supporting more expansive research and educational programs, developing the next generation of climate justice leaders, and the passage of climate justice protections at the local and state levels.
You can read more about our EJ research survey and ways to get involved on our website [HYPER LINK REPORT?] -
Democracy Lab South collaborates with community organizations across the state, to support Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) campaigns. These campaigns aim to promote equitable development by ensuring that local communities benefit from the emerging environmental vehicle industry in these rural areas. Through this initiative, Democracy Lab South partners with residents, organizations, and stakeholders to create agreements that prioritize fair wages, access to jobs, affordable housing, and other essential community services. This project empowers Georgia residents to have a voice in shaping the growth and development of their neighborhoods, ensuring that economic progress directly benefits the individuals living and working in these communities.
