Kerry Washington: “Investing in grassroots leaders is investing in justice & equity”

Kerry Washington doesn’t just play a political power broker on TV – she is one in real life. Most people might not know that Kerry was an activist long before she was an actress. By centering the work of BIPOC activists and Black-led grassroots organizations across the country, Kerry continues to inspire young people working towards change.

At Movement Voter Project (MVP), we’ve got a lot of projects in the works with community leaders and wayshowers who care about upholding our democratic values and inspiring young people across the country. Our work isn’t just about elections – it’s about building power among BIPOC communities who are the most impacted by politics and legislative change. One of our allies in this work is Scandal star Kerry Washington. 

MVP first partnered up with Kerry in 2021 to launch a two-year program called the Vision Into Power Cohort, which provides 10 grassroots organizations across the country with resources and support to accelerate and scale their impact. In this ongoing cohort, Kerry works closely with groups to tackle misinformation through impactful communication, while reminding people about the importance of voting. The cohort includes several of MVP’s partners and Black-led grassroots groups like Action STL, Youth Rise TX, SONG, and 1hood.

In a recent interview with MVP, Kerry spoke about how grassroots leaders inspire her by their commitment to their communities. She also discussed her plans to continue a series in Black History Month (and beyond) to honor Black HERstory and celebrate Black women who – in her own words – “have paved the way for putting magic into the world.”

Keep reading below for MVP’s full interview with Kerry.

MVP: What led you to take interest in grassroots work or activism? 

“The more I have engaged in this work, the more I’ve come to recognize just how many parts to democracy-building are necessary in order to keep the wheels turning. And at the core of that work, are leaders on the ground who are fighting every day to make sure people in their communities can use their voices.”

“In 2019, I got to see some of that work first hand. I visited Michigan and Virginia to work with some brilliant grassroots leaders who were leading the charge to get their communities to vote ahead of their midterm election. Their dedication to their community was truly inspiring.”

“It was clear to me how essential their work is, and I began to ask what do you need to continue your work? How can I support your mission? And my activism, particularly with the Vision into Power cohort, has been guided by these learnings.”

MVP: What sort of support or cross-collaboration would you like to see being extended to Black-led organizations during Black History Month and beyond? 

“Black History Month is a great time to remember that Black history is US history. There’s still so much more to be done and grassroots leaders around the nation are carrying on that legacy — using their voices to protect voting rights, elect POC candidates to office, provide on-the-ground relief to their communities, fighting to ensure that our democracy extends to all. Investing in them is investing in justice and equity. They deserve our support all year round – not just in February.”

MVP: The activism work that you’re taking part in now is helping to inspire change and protect our democracy. How would your younger self feel about where you are today in the activism space? How will future generations of young women look back at this?  

“I hope the younger me would be proud! And inspired.”

“I believe that future generations of young women will look back and see the community based grassroots leaders of today and be as inspired as I am when I look back at the leaders of the past!”

MVP: Last year during Black History Month, you paid tribute to famous Black women in history with an Instagram photo series called #BlackHERstory, can you tell us what you are planning this time around? 

 “This year I’m continuing the series to celebrate and honor Black HERstory and embody Black women who have paved the way for putting magic into the world.”

“All of the women I’ve highlighted have pushed the movement and the culture forward in their industries, and in the world, with their strength, their creativity, their talent, their intelligence and their expertise. They inspire me every day, and their influence shows up in my work, my activism, and my artistry, not just during Black History Month, but all year round.”

MVP: You’ve directly supported and worked closely with several Black-led grassroots groups like Action STL, Youth Rise Texas, SONG, and 1hood. What are you most proud of about the Vision into Power Cohort? 

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing these leaders in action, hearing their stories and witnessing the immense impact they have had on their communities. They are working together day in and day out to make our country a better place for all of us by getting people out to the polls, advocating for a more equitable democracy, and fighting for the solutions and policies we deserve.”

“The Vision into Power Cohort is really about giving them the tools and the resources to better amplify their work and tell their stories – to make sure that their impact can be felt in their communities and beyond.”

“So I’m so proud to see them take part in this program, hone their skills to affect change through storytelling, learn from one another, and be able to pass them the microphone to help their voices reach even farther – to the people, communities and decision makers who need to hear them.”