Making Policy Making Change

Makani N. Themba, a longtime community organizer, has worked extensively in the area of media and social change, including stints as Media Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference/Los Angeles and Director of the Center for Media & Policy Analysis of the Marin Institute. She has trained hundreds of community coalitions on effective media and policy advocacy. Themba currently directs the Applied Research Center's Grassroots Innovative Policy Program (GRIPP).

"This book has big concepts, insightful analysis, tested strategies and tactics, and numerous practical hints that are immediately useful. Most important, it provides stories from those who have learned lessons that you simply cannot afford to ignore. Do yourself and your cause a favor, take advantage of the experience captured here and avoid the pitfalls."--Lawrence Wallack, Professor of Public Health, UC Berkeley; co-author, News For A Change "Full of practical "how-to" ideas for grassroots organizing to change public policy. An all-too-rare balance of realism and optimistic vision."--Elizabeth Martinez, author, DeColores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century "A much-needed life jacket for those committed to progressive social change. In a straightforward, full-blast recitation from one who knows, Makani Themba weaves powerful stories of grassroots struggles to shape and construct policy. Her stories of ordinary folks reaching extraordinary heights is indeed inspiring, encouraging and, thankfully, to more than a few, perhaps threatening. This book is a requiem for apathy and inaction."--Clarence Lusane, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University; author, Race & the Global Era: African Americans at the Millennium

• Foreword viiAcknowledgments ixIntroduction 11 Time to Share the Burden: Toward Institution-Focused Intervention 132 An Agenda of Substance: Grassroots Efforts to Reduce Alcohol and Tobacco Problems 253 Making More Pie: Local Initiatives that Increase Resources and Institutional Accountability 504 Plotting A Course: Lessons from the Front Lines 815 Talking Policy: Media and the Message 1176 Looking Ahead: Reflections and Recommendations 143Notes 161Useful Books 169Resources 170Index 172