Emily Duma

Emily was raised in Dousman, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with degrees in political science and international studies. Emily developed and facilitated an anti-racist food justice seminar, supported the development of Growing Power’s Madison hub, and helped start and grow a Slow Food campus chapter that served sustainably raised, fresh meals to 350 people every week. Emily researched food security and food sovereignty while studying in Kenya, and is an Udall Scholar. After graduating, Emily co-founded an intentional community focused on radical social change and was Co-Director of PRI-Cold Climate, a nonprofit using permaculture principles and ethics.

Field placement: Logan Square Neighborhood Association

Chicago, Illinois

Emily worked with the Parent Engagement Institute to develop curriculum and materials for the Parent Mentor Program, a Chicago-based, nation-wide leadership development program that empowers parents to be more involved in their children’s school and home communities. She also coordinated a series of trainings to support members of Local School Councils and wrote a report about parent engagement funding in the state of Illinois.

Policy placement: Center for Community Change

Washington, D.C.

Emily worked with CCC’s Economic Justice Team to develop and launch the Putting Families First: Good Jobs for All campaign, a national job creation agenda for low-income people, people of color, and women. She developed a series of popular education trainings on policy issues in the campaign blueprint. She also supported CCC’s work around mass incarceration, housing trust funds and economic justice by conducting research, helping to deepen the racial and gender analysis of the campaigns, and analyzing relevant legislation.

Publications