About the Empowerment Congress

Several people sitting in an audience smiling and listening to speaker who is not pictured. Click to donate to the EC.

Overview

The Empowerment Congress is here to empower and engage all members of our diverse communities to ensure our collective voice is heard by:

  • Encouraging and enlisting the full participation of our community to improve our quality of life;
  • Educating and informing our community on how government works;
  • Developing strategies that shape policy and legislation; and
  • Connecting our community with public resources.

Founded in 1992 by then Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, the EC is a distinctive and deliberate national model of civic engagement built on the core principles of participatory democracy, reciprocal accountability, and intentional civility. We have developed a unique and dynamic partnership among neighborhood groups, residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses, religious institutions, and community leaders within diverse communities. The EC served as a model for and precursor to the City of Los Angeles’ Neighborhood Councils.

The EC is an ongoing effort in participatory government, founded on the principle that elected officials are most effective when the constituents they serve are actively involved in the decision-making process. More than 30 years after its inception, the EC has expanded its programs and mission of civic engagement and community empowerment. 

The EC is organized with a core Leadership body, comprised of key stakeholders and community leaders, that guides strategy and scope, as well as working groups that focus on prominent community issues through education campaigns and programming. The EC has developed two signature programs to execute our mission to educate, engage, and empower – our Annual Summit, which sets the strategic tone for the year, and our Juneteenth observance, which provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to celebrate liberation through the lens of civic engagement.

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Membership

The Empowerment Congress is comprised of a broad-based and diverse constituency made up of community residents, representatives of the Neighborhood Councils and block clubs, social and human service organizations, academic and religious institutions, business interests and individual citizens. At its core, the Empowerment Congress is driven by the passion and commitment of our volunteers.

The membership reflects the wealth of experience, expertise and skills of residents in Los Angeles County. By joining our mailing list, you will receive information about ways in which you can get involved. We encourage you to learn more about opportunities to volunteer.

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