Grassroots Democracy with Molly Martin & Erika L. Anthony

Host Max Rameau is joined by Erika L. Anthony, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cleveland VOTES, and Molly Martin, a member of the Cleveland Catholic Worker and the lead organizer for the People's Budget Cleveland grassroots ballot initiative campaign, for a conversation on Cleveland’s fight for participatory budgeting, and why sometimes losing an election is still a victory.

Earning 49.11% of the vote in 2023, the People's Budget amendment would have given Cleveland residents the ability to decide how 2% of the city budget is spent.

Molly Martin is a member of the Cleveland Catholic Worker community on the near west side of Cleveland. In 2023, Molly was the lead organizer for Issue 38, the People's Budget Cleveland grassroots ballot initiative campaign. Earning 49.11% of the vote in November 2023, the Issue 38 People’s Budget charter amendment would have given Cleveland residents the ability to decide how 2% of the city budget is spent. Molly also organizes with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless on direct action campaigns for homeless civil rights and legal renter protections.

Erika L. Anthony, a native New Yorker, is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cleveland VOTES. Cleveland VOTES is a nonpartisan, democracy-building movement that works to reconstruct and strengthen power through active participation of our collective partners. Prior to her full-time role with Cleveland VOTES, Erika most recently served as the Executive Director of the Ohio Transformation Fund (OTF). The OTF is a statewide funding collaborative developed by national and local funders that focuses on advocating for more fair and just policies and solutions to address the harms imposed by the criminal legal system. Additionally, Erika was the Vice President of Government Relations and Strategy for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Director of Business Development at Oriana House, Inc., Project Coordinator for a pilot reentry program at the Centers for Families and Children and held various roles in the legal sector. 

In addition to her full-time roles, she also sits on a number of Boards, including: City of Cleveland Planning Commission, Midtown Cleveland Inc., Ohio Voice, and Red, Wine + Blue. Additionally, in the fall of 2021 Erika was selected to serve as a Co-Chair for then Mayor-Elect Justin Bibb’s Transition Team. Erika has served as an Adjunct Professor for a policy class at Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Sciences. She has also participated in a number of leadership programs including: Cleveland Bridge Builders, Fellowship with New Leaders Council and Rockwood Leadership Institute. Erika holds a B.S. in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxine G. Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. Erika and her husband Brian reside in Cleveland; they enjoy traveling, biking and spending time with their family, friends and puppy.

Links to topics mentioned on this episode:
Public Budgeting
refundcleveland.com
Cleveland Votes