Bronx-Born Politics Maven Camille Rivera on the Power of Collective Advocacy and Activism
Rivera spoke about the significance of civic engagement and what's at stake in the upcoming presidential election.
The essence of the Bronx can sometimes be found in the stories of resilience of those who call the community home. For political consultant Camille Rivera, a partner at the New York City-based political consulting firm New Deal Strategies, growing up in the beloved borough awakened the power of advocacy. Whether it was the vibrant public murals created by the legendary Tats Cru collective that were embedded with social justice messages, the poignant words of poet La Bruja, or the environmental justice initiatives led by local leaders, the Afro-Latina was inspired by different forms of activism to speak truth to power.
Her own advocacy efforts around welfare reform at the age of 16 would be the foundation for an impactful path in the civic engagement space. Columbia Neighbors spoke with Rivera—an adjunct professor at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs—about her upbringing in the Bronx, the importance of voting, and key issues on the ballot that Uptown residents should keep top of mind during this election season.
How did growing up in the Bronx influence your path in the civic engagement space?
My parents were separated, and my mother was a single mom. I had my daughter when I was 16. As a teenager, I was trying to navigate motherhood while pursuing my education. During that time, there were national changes within the welfare system, and people receiving aid and assistance were asked to go to work.
While I was in college, I received a notice saying my daycare aid would be taken away because I needed to do the Welfare Employee Program. I was forced to choose between staying in school or going to work so that I could continue to receive the aid. My mother worked full-time, so there was no one to look after my daughter.
It was traumatizing for me. I struggled. I had friends who were faced with similar circumstances. Many of them ended up going on welfare and leaving school.
I started to wonder how in the world anybody can navigate to get ahead if the system is stacked against people and only allows a filter of people to potentially succeed. I got really angry. It put a fire in my belly and inspired me to take action.
I was part of a student organization that allowed us to lobby, and we were instrumental in changing the narrative. We fought for a provision to allow people to continue getting their benefits if they maintained a certain grade average while in school. The journey was hard, but we made it happen. That was a key moment that got me involved in the work I do now.
Were there any Bronx-based community organizers you looked up to or were inspired by?
There were many people within the community across different spaces who I was inspired by. Omar Freilla, who was at Sustainable South Bronx, led a lot of work around environmental justice locally. There were a lot of graffiti artists, like Tats Cru, who were creating murals embedded with messages for social justice. Caridad De La Luz, also known as La Bruja, was a poet and community organizer I watched grow. Majora Carter, who is an urban revitalization strategist, was doing great work.
Collectively their efforts were rooted in advocating for and uplifting the community and neighborhood and that's something I looked up to.
What's your earliest memory of witnessing the power of civic engagement?
While growing up, I witnessed a lot of transformation in the South Bronx. As a borough, we were up against a lot. The South Bronx is known as the asthma corridor because it has one of the highest asthma rates in the United States. At one point, there were plans to build six waste transfer facilities in the Bronx, despite the health crisis that disproportionately affected the borough. It changed the way the Bronx was being viewed.
One of the projects that stood out to me was the push to transform the Sheridan Expressway into the Bronx River Greenway. It took the tireless efforts of several local organizations over many years to do, but it was an example of how effective community organizing can be. Although I wasn't part of that organizing, it was essential.
Another memory is when we worked to get the welfare bill passed in the Senate and state legislature. It was one of the first times where I was able to be part of something palatable that could create generational change. It wasn't just for me, it was for mothers who wanted more for themselves. They should have the right to develop their careers without being stunted because they entered motherhood earlier.
It was the first moment where I realized with organizing, having a voice, and civic participation, people could really make change.
"It was the first moment where I realized with organizing, having a voice, and civic participation, people could really make change."
What led you to teach at Columbia specifically?
Jefrey Pollock, adjunct associate professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, started the class I currently teach called Campaigns & Elections. He thought I would be a great fit for the role. Teaching has always been a passion of mine.
I liked the idea of sharing the experiences I've had throughout my career with folks who may not have had the opportunity to learn about how to organize and run campaigns or know about the different facets of the civic engagement space.
Prior to me leading the course, Karine Jean-Pierre, who now serves as the White House press secretary, was teaching it. The course, which I teach in the spring, will enter its third cycle. Teaching is fulfilling and fruitful, and I hope to continue doing it.
As we approach the November presidential election, from your perspective, what are key issues that Uptown voters should keep at the top of their minds?
I think affordable housing is the most critical thing at this juncture. If the city, state, and federal governments are not providing a social housing program, what are we doing? Housing stability is crucial. Migrants come to the United States from all over the world to have a better life, and we also have people in our own communities who are grappling with housing insecurity.
Folks should be talking to their elected officials about a real plan for affordable housing. In particular, Uptown, because the area is becoming more gentrified and there aren't many resources for low-income communities to remain there.
There's so much at stake during this election. People need to understand it can change their lives in the long term. Some folks are just thinking about the next four years, we have to think about the next eight years and beyond. Think about what Congress can do, what the Senate can do, and the powers that could potentially be taken away from us.
"People need to understand it can change their lives in the long term. Some folks are just thinking about the next four years, we have to think about the next eight years and beyond."
Can you share your thoughts on the importance of voting at both national and local levels?
Every year, every primary, you should be voting. If you're not casting your ballot, you're giving up your opportunity to have your voice heard. In particular, municipal elections—like local, council, and state elections—are often decided by slim numbers. Some people think their votes don't matter, but alongside others, it does. There is strength in numbers. People vote people out all of the time.
If you look across the country, the people who exercise their vote in non-traditional, non-cycle elections like primaries end up voting people out. Democrats vote other Democrats out. Republicans vote other Republicans out. It’s not just partisan voting. If you're not civically engaged, then you can't have a say in what's happening in your government.
If you could recommend one civic engagement-focused book, what would it be and why?
If you want to learn how to organize campaigns, Paul Wellstone’s Politics the Wellstone Way is probably one of the best easy-to-read books I've come across.
There's also a book called New Labor in New York that was edited by Edward Ott and Ruth Milkman and explores community labor, collaboration, and how building coalitions are key winning factors. Within the book, there are several beautiful, well-researched case studies about raising the minimum wage, organizing fast food workers, wage staff, car washers, and how the labor community and civic leaders came together to fight back and utilize and leverage the moment. I teach it sometimes in my class.
I am inspired by movements, less inspired by individual people. When we see hundreds of thousands of people coming together for a common cause—whether it is advocating for social justice, civil rights, or human rights—it's absolutely inspiring.
There's so much power in collective work. I've shied away from idolizing one person because we all are part of really great movements. The ability and tenacity of people who never give up is something I truly admire.
What is on the horizon for you?
I have a firm called New Deal Strategies, and under that guise, we have various clients we represent and serve. Our clients are very much focused on spreading awareness about the issues they deem important, matters on everything from challenges faced by the elderly to economics and universal basic income. My hope is that at the end of the year, we’ll be able to show the work we do is real, honest, and values-driven.