Kurston Cook Email & Phone Number

Raleigh, Nc, Us

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

As a Senior Strategist at Grassroots Solutions, I've led over 30 projects spanning seven years. Much of my work revolves around supporting organizations dedicated to advancing social and economic justice while safeguarding American democracy. My role is divided between conducting program evaluations and providing strategic guidance.Program Evaluation: I oversee the design and management of multi-year assessments, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods to gauge the impact of organizational and philanthropic efforts. Notable clients have included the Ford, Rockefeller, and JPB Foundations.Strategic Advising: My focus is on assisting campaigns and organizations advocating for pro-democracy causes. This involves facilitating multi-year strategic planning sessions for both state and national entities. Specifically, I've crafted legislative campaign blueprints aimed at expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), offered guidance on political and voter engagement campaigns, and contributed to achieving electoral and organizational goals at various government levels—local, state, and federal. Noteworthy clients in this realm include State Voices, Alliance for Youth Organizing, and the Human Rights Campaign.

Oakland, Ca

During the Spring of 2017, I worked as a Policy Associate at PolicyLink, where I collaborated with the Alliance for Men and Boys of Color (ABMOC) program. In this capacity, my responsibilities included aiding staff and organizational partners in developing and refining a policy platform for the Alliance. Additionally, I conducted in-depth policy analyses on California state legislative bills relevant to ABMOC constituents. Through these endeavors, I played a part in advancing the Alliance's mission to enact systemic change aimed at tackling institutional racism and addressing pressing issues affecting predominantly Black and Latinx youth.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

In my role as a contracted facilitator and trainer for Campus Camp Wellstone, I delivered comprehensive sessions on organizing strategies, effective membership and organizational development, and leadership skills to college leaders nationwide. The Campus Camp 2-day training program, conducted at colleges and universities across the United States, emphasized hands-on learning in campaign planning, grassroots organizing, message development, volunteer recruitment, and leadership cultivation.-Trained hundreds of students, youth organizers, and community advocates on organizing strategies, effective membership, organizational development, and leadership skills training for college campuses and members of youth organization-Researched and designed a curriculum to support specific partners and campaigns

Greater Los Angeles Area

In my role as Special Projects Manager, I oversaw programs and campaigns addressing the economic challenges facing young people, especially young people of color. This included managing multi-state initiatives to address historic youth unemployment, college affordability, and business entrepreneurship. This work included developing policy memos and economic proposals for state legislatures in North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington, DC. Additionally, I spearheaded several campaigns aimed to increase youth civic participation. I was the manager of the 2020 Project, an initiative to establish state-level infrastructure and capacity to mobilize young voters across the 2016, 2018, and 2020 electoral cycles. Finally, I served as the Western regional manager for campus activities under President Obama's "It's On Us" campaign, focusing on combating and preventing sexual assault on college campuses.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

I was entrusted with spearheading the engagement, empowerment, and mobilization efforts of the AFL-CIO's 3.5 million union members under 35. This involved developing innovative programming to mobilize voters, foster partnerships with external community and business organizations, and offer strategic guidance for youth-focused policy and campaign objectives. One of my key roles involved managing the Young Worker Advisory Council, a vital initiative to institutionalize the Young Worker Program within AFL-CIO State Federations and Central Labor Councils. Through this effort, we ensured that the voices and needs of young workers were heard and addressed within the broader labor movement.During the 2012 election cycle, I oversaw Millennial voter engagement programs in pivotal states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. These initiatives played a crucial role in mobilizing young voters and amplifying their impact on electoral outcomes.Finally, I had the honor of being appointed as the United States labor representative to the 101st International Labor Organization at the United Nations, where I advocated for the rights and interests of American workers on a global stage.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As the Deputy Director of the Campus Network, I play a pivotal role in overseeing organizational operations and strategy implementation. This includes managing a diverse staff comprising 20 field organizers, 10 policy analysts, and 20 seasonal interns. I worked to ensure efficient campaign execution and organizational effectiveness. My responsibilities included overseeing national, state, and municipal coalitions to implement Roosevelt Network's policy initiative. This involves managing a network of 95 chapters across 26 states, representing approximately 10,000 students. Through these efforts, we advance civic engagement and economic development policies, contributing to tangible impact at various levels of government.In addition, as the Deputy Director, contributed to developing and executing strategic plans to achieve organizational objectives, driving growth and innovation. This role required strong leadership, staff management, problem-solving skills, and a deep commitment to the organization's mission and values.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As the former National Field Director of the Campus Network, my role revolved around spearheading field operations and cultivating grassroots engagement nationwide. This involved managing a dedicated team of 15 organizers, ensuring they were equipped with the resources and support needed to drive impactful campaigns and initiatives.Additionally, I oversaw a vast national network comprising 85 local chapters spread across the country. These chapters served as critical hubs for community organizing, leadership development, and activism, allowing us to amplify our impact.One of the highlights of my tenure was overseeing the development of the Roosevelt Summer Academy, a flagship program aimed at empowering young leaders. This comprehensive program catered to 65 students across Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York, providing them with valuable opportunities for government internships and training in policy production and implementation. Through initiatives like the Summer Academy, we were able to nurture the next generation of changemakers and equip them with the skills and experience needed to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.

Master’S Degree In Public Polic, Labor Economics, Organizational Management, Program Implementation,

Activities and Societies: Class of 2017 Elected Class Representative Student Labor Policy Director UC Berkeley Head Steward United Auto.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science, History

Activities and Societies: Roosevelt Institution,College Dems, NARAL, Students for Choice