Research & Advocacy
Advocacy 101
Creating change in the African diaspora. A NoirUnited training.
What you will learn
- 1Understand what diaspora advocacy is and why it matters.
- 2Learn how to advocate and influence policy.
- 3Explore the key issues facing Black and African communities.
The basics
What is advocacy?
Advocacy
A strategic process of influencing decision-makers to create or change policy.
Diaspora advocacy
Promoting the interests of people of African descent in different sectors, with a focus on policy, justice, and development.
Why it matters
Voice
Decisions get made with or without us. Advocacy puts our voice in the room.
Equity
It pushes for fair access to opportunity, services, and justice.
Change
It turns a shared concern into a policy, a program, or a decision that changes.
How change happens
Three ways to influence policy
- 1
Direct action
Vote, meet decision-makers, submit comments, and use the public and legal processes that already exist.
- 2
Communication
Tell the story through digital campaigns, media, and music so the issue is understood and people know what to do.
- 3
Systemic engagement
Organize at the grassroots and build coalitions so change lasts past one campaign.
What stands in the way
Challenges
- Limited representation in decision-making rooms
- Negative media narratives about Africa and the diaspora
- Divides inside the community
- Lack of funding for advocacy work
Your part
How diaspora youth can help
- Bridge cultures. Move between communities and explain each to the other.
- Creativity. Art, film, and music make an issue felt, not only understood.
- Technology. Tools that organize, inform, and reach people at scale.
- Challenge outdated systems. Ask why things are done the way they are.
- Language. Speaking more than one language opens more doors.
Practice
The workshop
Work in small groups with a note taker and a representative who presents.
- 1
Pick an issue
Examples: immigration and visa barriers, international student support, diaspora voting rights, trade and investment between African countries and the U.S.
- 2
Discuss
What is the issue? Who has the power to change it? What specific action could they take?
- 3
Present
The representative shares the group's answer in the three parts below.
Take the next step
Put it into practice with NoirUnited.