Meet an Anthem Judge: Maurice Mitchell, Working Families Party

Judge Spotlight

Meet an Anthem Judge: Maurice Mitchell, Working Families Party

Maurice Mitchell is the National Director of the Working Families Party, a national third party building political power with a multi-racial, multi-generational working class. He’s also a new judge for The Anthem Awards, and will be reviewing this year’s purpose & mission-driven entries. Learn more about Mitchell’s work below.

1. For those who are unfamiliar, can you tell us a bit about yourself and the work that you do?

I’m the current National Director of the Working Families Party. We’re a national third party building political power on the left with a multi-racial, multi-generational working class. We recruit, train and help progressives run for office up and down the ballot across the country.

2. What expertise are you bringing as a judge for The Anthem Awards?

I’m a long-time organizer, strategist and artist. I’ve also been on the ground and present during several pivotal moments in American history, including the Ferguson uprising and the uprising after the murder of George Floyd.

3. What are you looking for in Anthem Awards entries?

I’m looking for entries that push the envelope and bring something new to the movements they seek to engage.

4. What does it take for a project or campaign to cause real-world change?

Real world change is caused when the masses are aware of a cause and motivated to take action. Engaging the base is always a necessity, but bringing new people in is also a must.

5. What social impact campaign, grassroots effort, fundraiser or project has recently inspired you?

The uprising following the murder of George Floyd saw millions of Americans take to the streets during a global pandemic. That energy also kickstarted a nationwide conversation about police reform, systemic racism and ushered in an unprecedented level of civic engagement.

Patagonia – Don’t Buy This Jacket

Patagonia has put social impact at the core of their brand mission and values from the start, and their iconic Don’t Buy This Jacket campaign demonstrates how brands can use their platform to make an impact — or better yet, to help reduce our impact. This 2011 ad ran in the New York Times on Black Friday, making a lasting impression for its bold message addressing the issue of consumerism head on and asking readers to take the Common Threads Initiative pledge to reduce, repair, reuse, recycle, and reimagine a world where we take only what nature can replace.

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