Program Coordinator

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

James and Grace Lee Boggs Foundation

Background:

James Boggs (1919-1993) was an African American autoworker and labor organizer from Marion Junction, Alabama. He was raised in the rural South under Jim Crow, then moved to Detroit and worked for Chrysler during the height of industrial-era prosperity. Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015) was a Chinese American philosopher born in Providence, Rhode Island, and raised in New York City. After obtaining her PhD, Grace was spurned by academia and made her home in the Black community and movement. Jimmy and Grace married in 1953. Together, they worked to build the movements for Civil Rights and Black Power, as well as cross-racial and international solidarity. The Boggses foresaw the devastation Detroit and the United States would face owing to automation, white supremacy, militarism, authoritarianism, and the emphasis on technological over human development. Through writing and organizing, they struggled to move the nation beyond the stage of rebellion against an unjust system by encouraging organizers and all members of society to see revolution as the exercise of self-government and an evolutionary advance for humanity.

Guided by directives in the will of Grace Lee Boggs, the James and Grace Lee Boggs Foundation serves as the sole owner and manager of the Boggses’ personal and intellectual property. We seek to make the Boggses’ humanity-stretching work knowable and meaningful for current and future generations through heritage conservation, public scholarship, narrative change work, and movement-building education and leadership development. Driven by the principles of participatory democracy and revolutionary nonviolence, we go beyond protesting existing systems of oppression to envision and build models of a more just society. We maintain and grow the vast local, national, and global networks of activists, educators, artists, scholars, and community organizers who are working to enact the Boggses’ models of multiracial solidarity, place-based education, and systemic change from the bottom-up.

Opportunity:

In a world beset by mounting political, economic, and ecological crises, the {r}evolutionary vision of James and Grace Lee Boggs is more crucial than ever. As we complete our capacity building phase and advance our strategic priorities, you will help the Boggs Foundation raise its profile, establish and maintain a dynamic infrastructure, and optimize our programs and services. You will particularly help our efforts to preserve the Boggses’ historical home and archives; develop movement-building educational and leadership development programs; and spread the ideas and lessons of James and Grace Lee Boggs through research, teaching, media, and artistic creations. Although this is a part-time position, term-limited position consistent with existing sources of funding, it holds the potential to expand in hours and scope as the Foundation achieves its multi-year objectives.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

As this is a new position, the responsibilities listed below will be phased in based on prioritized need in consultation with organizational leadership:

Network and Movement Building (40%)

• Researches societal influence and impact of James and Grace Lee Boggs.
• Identifies and promotes opportunities for speaking engagements, workshops, readings, exhibits, grants, and commissions related to James and Grace Lee Boggs.
• Helps strengthen relationships with organizers, educators, scholars, artists, and other practitioners doing work inspired by the Boggses.
• Helps build and manage relations with co-sponsors, institutional partners, donors, and volunteers for programs and events.
• Helps develop and manage internships.
• Helps coordinate youth, student, and campus outreach.

Media and Communications (40%)

• Manages social media accounts to promote events and programs, as well as spread general awareness of the Boggses
• Intakes emails, messages, and requests with referral to appropriate parties.
• Updates information and maintains pages on the Foundation’s website.
• Helps design graphics, text, reports, and digital media for programs and events.
• Helps coordinate video and photo documentation and record keeping.
• Assists with strategic communications, donor outreach, and promotion of brand narrative.
• As organizational capacities and work hours expand, work may include assistance with production of webinars, podcasts, online exhibits, and other artistic creations.

General Administrative Assistance (20%)

• Provides administrative support for the President and the Board.
• Helps with logistical arrangements for meetings and events virtually and in-person.
• Helps process and maintain record of expenses, reimbursements, donations, and e-commerce.
• Helps with task management and scheduling.

NATURE AND SCOPE

Reports to the President. Works with board members, community partners, and volunteers.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• 2 years of work experience in the fields of community organizing, social justice and/or nonprofit administration.
• Knowledge of the histories and ideas of James and Grace Lee Boggs, as well as their impact on contemporary activism, student/youth leadership development, and community organizing.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Ability to coordinate and cooperate with team members on collective goals and also work independently to complete individually assigned responsibilities.
• Proficiency with digital and social media.
• Proficiency with Zoom and/or other virtual platforms, as well as essential business software (Microsoft Office, G-Suite).
• Experience producing and maintaining contact lists, databases, archives, and/or organizational records.
• Experience with events planning and management, including logistics, travel, facilities, and promotions.

The following traits are desired, though no single candidate would be expected to possess them all:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Knowledge and experience with activism and social movements related to Detroit, African Americans, Asian Americans, race, Indigeneity, environmental justice and/or disability justice.
• Advanced experience with Email Marketing (e.g. Mailchimp) and CRM software or tools. We currently use GiveButter for CRM.
• Photography or audio/video recording and editing skills.
• Graphic design and layout skills.
• Experience with website management, SEO, and e-commerce. We currently use SquareSpace.
• Experience producing or promoting podcasts and webinars.
• Experience with designing or implementing crowdsourcing, Patreon, Substack, and/or traditional fundraising campaigns.
• Experience with implementing universal access and design to promote disability justice.
• Knowledge of and experience working in heritage conservation, museums, public history and/or popular education.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Hours: This position will start at 10 hours per week funded through December 2025. It may expand to 20 or more hours per week before or after December 2025 if funding allows.

Location: This position is generally remote with the exception of occasional required in-person work. While our preference is for applicants who will be located in or near Detroit, exceptionally qualified applicants will be considered from anywhere in the United States.

Compensation: $25 per hour—may be negotiable in the case of exceptionally qualified applicants.

Hiring timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting August 15, 2024 and will be accepted until the position is filled. While the starting date is negotiable, we hope to onboard our new team members as soon as possible.

The James and Grace Lee Boggs Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.