Malachi (he/they/them) is currently the Strategy & Innovation Director at Solidaire. In this role, Malachi works to implement many aspects of our 2023-2033 strategic direction including growing and strengthening Solidaire Action, sharpening our narrative change work, deepening sector-wide collaborations and furthering our vision for building progressive power. Before coming to Solidaire, Malachi served as the Senior Strategist and National Network Director at the W. Haywood Burns Institute building community-based alternatives to juvenile justice systems across the United States.

Malachi serves on the boards of SONG Power, Auburn Theological Seminary, and GLSEN. Malachi is a Rosenberg Foundation Leading Edge Fellow and a founder of the widely acclaimed Brown Boi Project. Malachi’s work in popular education, community organizing, and institutions spans over 20 years.

What Liberation Means to Malachi

Tell us why you do what you do.

I am a child of spiritual leaders who trained me to organize as far back as I can remember. As I grew older, I chose the name Malachi, in part because it means “my messenger.” I was born and bred to be of service. I have committed my life to this calling, choosing to embed myself in the places love accelerates justice. I believe this honors what the Gods ask of us.

What’s most important to you about being part of Solidaire?

I have spent over 20 years working in and leading local, regional, and national grassroots work and formations. I have been blessed to understand through practice and politic what it takes to lead within various sectors of our movements. I am honored to be of service bringing these relationships and wisdom forward to bless this formation. I seek to deeply listen to movements, Solidaire members, and our organizational leadership with the goal of realizing our theory of liberation.

What does liberation mean to you?

I believe that we all share places of common struggle, places where the salve of what is just soothes our soul and brings forward wholeness. To me, liberation is our unique contributions working in collective harmony toward building power. This power allows for the shaping of this world toward collective wellbeing.