About
The Future Is for All of Us, No Exceptions
Using campaign messaging that acknowledges how race plays a role in our politics, we are working to create a better future for every one of us regardless of the color of our skin, our genders, or how we pray. We Make the Future Action (WMTFA) serves as an implementation home for the Race Class Narrative (RCN) and other empirically backed messaging.
WMTFA was founded in 2021 and is built on the implementation work of Race Class Narrative Action with ASO Communications and Faith in Minnesota and rooted in Race Class Narrative research.
Our goal is to increase the capacity of state, local and national partners to move a race forward narrative on our economy and democracy so they can make the case to voters on policy decisions that create a better future for all. Our process combines using researched backed messages with coalition building to develop and implement shared narratives that motivates our base voters and persuades the middle.
In collaboration with partners, we do this by:
Building alignment among regional partners so they can move an empirically backed shared message that advances our vision for a multiracial democracy and pushes back at the strategic use of dog whistle racism
Facilitating workshops and other capacity building tactics
Collaborating on new research and sharing current research findings to aid groups in their campaign goals
Developing messaging guides, digital toolkits, and other narrative resources
Creating content (illustrations, ads, etc..) that demonstrates an effective narrative
Supporting the distribution of empirically backed narratives online and offline
We are building a diverse movement to reinstill hope in our democracy and build a brighter tomorrow. Learn about the work of We Make the Future, our 501(c)(3) organization, here.
THEORY OF CHANGE
Our vision is a multiracial democracy where freedom and justice are truly for all, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, and everyone has safe and happy lives.
To achieve our vision, we need durable infrastructure.
At WMTFA, durable infrastructure means strong organizations with staff skilled in delivering and echoing our shared narratives and messages in ways that inspire our base (those who are already with us) and persuadable audiences (those who can be with us) to take action.
As evidenced by many of our state partners’ successes, the best antidote to our opposition’s divisive strategies is to integrate race-forward, empirically based narrative strategy across both community organizing and communications tactics — we call this “layering” tactics — and focus these efforts at the local/state level.
WMTFA’s strategy to build this infrastructure is represented by three legs of a stool. Each leg represents a strategy we use to build narrative power with our partners. All three legs are required for the impact we seek.
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We commission research with partners to develop effective messages – based in RCN and other race, class, and gender-informed narratives – that inspire our base and persuadable audiences to take action.
We host briefings to disseminate this research and work with partners to build their capacity to understand and conduct messaging research on their own.
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We support organizations at the local, state, and national level to align on a shared narrative and train them to echo that shared narrative through a variety of mediums, from canvassing scripts to digital content.
We do this by producing messaging guides and providing training, coaching, and peer support.
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We create a bridge between research and implementation by working with partners to create and distribute content.
We provide them with digital toolkits and free, adaptable content; and we share direct resources and wrap-around support (e.g., digital strategies, narrative guidance, messaging research, etc.) through our Implementation Boo$t program to amplify our shared narratives and messages to new audiences.
IMPACT REPORTS
CONTACT US
Reach out to info@wemakethefutureaction.us with your inquiry.
We frequently work on projects with ASO Communications. If you would like to know more about ASO's work, check out their website.
Read our accessibility statement.
WORKSHOPS / BRIEFINGS
Upcoming Public Workshops
How Narrative Strategies Build Power: Shaping the Debate, Not Just Reacting to It
Thursday, October 23, 1:00 - 2:30pm ET / 10:00 - 11:30am PT
Break free from the cycle of reactive rapid response, and learn how to build proactive narrative power to shape debates on your own terms. Through concise examples and interactive scenarios, you'll examine how “narrative power” is a vital strategic approach that builds long-term power, rather than perpetually responding to opponents’ narratives. This workshop helps organizers and communicators like you shape the debate and build the narrative power we need to win!
Apply for How Narrative Strategies Build Power here by October 3rd!
Customized Workshop
Looking for a workshop experience that goes into greater detail and is customized for your team? Email us at info@wemakethefuture.us for pricing information.