History

The Harriet Tubman Center was founded in 2006 to fill a void in the recruitment and development of professional community organizers. The Center began with conversations among congregation centered community-organizers, university students and professors, union organizers, and independent young organizers seeking solidarity, professional development and wider career options.

HTC is focused on creating connected, competent organizers through internships and job placement opportunities. We are a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Since 2007, The Harriet Tubman Center has recruited hundreds of people for community organizing internships and has trained and graduated 56 interns. We have tripled the number of sites where interns organize alongside seasoned veterans.

Leadership development in a wide variety of local institutions has led to tangible victories in school parent organizations, a youth organization, a union of homeless and low income tenants (Detroit Action Commonwealth) and several congregations. We have placed several interns in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. Many of our graduates hold positions as professional community organizers in several cities across the United States.

We hold an annual retreat with graduates, new interns and seasoned community organizers and also provide graduates with other professional development opportunities (Spanish immersion and 3rd World organizing experience).