About Us
When we empower young people to own and drive the work toward justice, we win!
Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) is a Black and Brown-led independent nonprofit. Founded in 2017, LIT organizes young people to build independent political power for social, racial and economic justice. We engage in values-based issues and electoral organizing, direct action, public policy advocacy and leadership development.
For too long, young Black and Brown people in Wisconsin have been on the receiving end of policies that harm our families, friends, neighborhoods and communities. To create a more just, democratic world, our voices must be front and center. LIT effectively builds progressive grassroots political power using a two-pronged strategy:
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Fostering the resilience and excellence of youth of color
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Engaging in a spectrum of year-round civic engagement
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Fostering the resilience and excellence of youth of color
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Engaging in a spectrum of year-round civic engagement
We invest in base building, leadership development, training and a relational organizing model to build power to affect change in Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin.
*LIT operates through LIT Education Fund, Inc. (501c3) and LIT Action Fund, Inc. (501c4)*
Our Platform
Only through a bold, proactive agenda will we achieve an equitable and democratic society. Below are political priorities that define the politics of our organizing. With racial, gender, economic and LGBTQ+ justice at the center, young Black and Brown organizers will win the movement to respect and value our lives.
Criminal Justice Priorities
Abolish police and prisons, refocus the justice system from punishment toward treatment and justice, address the root causes of crime, and reconcile for the war on drugs.
Democracy Priorities
Rebalance government representation; provide and protect voting rights; and facilitate a true democracy with access, accountability and fairness.
Economic Priorities
Raise the minimum wage, protect and value workers, ensure individuals’ basic needs are met, and run the economy to fund equity and progress — not greed.
Education Priorities
Fully fund high-quality education systems, end the school-to-prison pipeline, ensure access to quality higher education and provide student loan debt relief.
Environmental Priorities
Pass sweeping reforms to increase environmental protections, fund sustainability, protect Native territory and ensure environmental justice.
Gender, Sexuality, and Reproductive Justice Priorities
Institute full reproductive rights and justice, enforce discrimination protections, protect women and femmes, and prioritize the urgent needs of LGBTQ+ people.
Healthcare Priorities
Establish free health care and affordable treatment for all, progress toward quality and equity, and invest in harm-reduction resources and practices.
Immigration Priorities
Abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and detention facilities, end detainment and family separation, protect migrant rights and improve the path to citizenship.
Infrastructure Priorities
Create meaningful employment, build for sustainability, protect and empower communities, attain internet access for all and increase accessibility.
Racial Justice Priorities
Reconcile for the racial injustices this country has committed, instill and protect systemic change, increase protections against discrimination and pay direct reparations.
