A different way is possible
A note from our co-founder Lulu.
Hello, my name is Lulu.
Over a decade ago, I started working in local government to spark change from the inside.1 With a background in community organizing, I sought to build more responsive and inclusive institutions by inviting communities to co-create policies and services. My goal was to move closer to a government of, by, and for the people.
While my service included inspiring bright spots, I found that my work in local government focused on harm reduction. Reactive questions like, “How do we make this broken government system work a little better?” took up almost all my energy. Rarely were there opportunities to engage with root causes and transformative ideas that could uplift current and future generations. While I believe our governments must invest in short-term, incremental opportunities to improve the lives of residents in urgent need, I have also come to recognize the importance of zooming out from the present crises to imagine different futures.2
I want to dream audaciously about new governance models rooted in love, justice, and joy – and to imagine collaboratively with other radical public sector leaders.
With support from the Landecker Democracy Fellowship, I am bringing to life The People’s Dreaming Collective to facilitate brave and generative spaces for current and former public servants to envision new paradigms for local democracy. The governments we serve too often operate as top-down bureaucracies that are punitive, exclusionary, and dehumanizing. We believe a different way is possible.
We will use our extensive practical experience as government insiders to imagine, explore, and bring to life audacious new visions and tools for people-centered and people-powered governance. Join us!
My service included time in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development, and the New York City Department of Small Business Services. You can learn more about me here.