Gulf South anti-poverty advocates come together: rooted in community, powered by local action
In the final weeks of the first 100 days of the new Congress and the new administration, the 2025 Gulf South Regional Conference offered a space to recharge and reconnect. These in-person gatherings serve as a reminder of all the important things that we hope and advocate for. Angela Rodriguez, group leader for one of our newest RESULTS groups in North Florida captured the feeling. The second annual conference “came right on time. In a year that has brought daily chaos, […] gathering with other advocates was like a breath of fresh air. It’s easy to get discouraged, but spending time with your community is a must in times like this!”
RESULTS Birmingham hosted the gathering that included local volunteer service
The RESULTS Birmingham group worked with staff and neighboring groups in Florida to host the conference. The shared commitment to rebuilding community in person and returning to RESULTS’ roots made it possible. After years of using Zoom, being together in a room with intention and openness shifted the energy.
Hosting the conference also helped Birmingham volunteers forge new relationships with like-minded local organizations. The conference opened with volunteer service at a Birmingham-area food bank, called Grace Klein Community. Grace Klein delivers 20,000 food boxes per week to neighbors. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Klein distributed 10,000 food boxes per week, showing how the need has grown. This hands-on experience set the tone to hear from local policy leaders working on food assistance.
Local leaders shared their expertise on food insecurity
The opening panel featured local leaders working to end food insecurity. Speakers included Dr. Ollie Kelly from Grace Klein where the advocates had volunteered. Hunger policy advocate LaTrell Wood (from Alabama Arise, a Center for Budget and Policy Priorities state partner) also spoke on the panel, as did M. Dominique Villanueva, founder of Fountain Heights Farms. They shared how their organizations creatively support those experiencing food insecurity. The conference closed with a session on community building for collective power. Alabama Arise and Dana Ellis (Birmingham Indivisible) shared their perspectives on organizing.
New voices joined the anti-poverty movement
For some, this conference was their first event with RESULTS. As a new RESULTS volunteer, Vivienne Talbert (Vestavia Hills, Alabama) shared her optimism on joining the movement. “I decided to join RESULTS that day because I believe in “action” in service. I felt I belonged with this team of committed individuals fighting to make a present and future difference. I don’t want to just talk about our problems. I want to be a part of making an active difference in the community and country.”
Everyone recommitted to grounding policy in the strength of lived experience
Pamela Bruce (Winston, Georgia) traveled with fellow Georgia activists working with Urban Indigo Foundation, an Atlanta-based organization allied with RESULTS in supporting neurodivergent children and their communities. She emphasized the power of hearing directly from those affected by poverty and injustice. “Hearing directly from people impacted by poverty and injustice reminded me how vital it is to center their voices in every policy conversation,” she said. “It affirmed the importance of bringing my own experiences in foster care and family engagement into advocacy spaces with confidence and purpose.”
The group’s shared energy became sustained momentum
“The energy in Birmingham was electric,” Pamela shared. Attendees left recharged, reminded they are not alone in taking meaningful action. “I left with a deep appreciation for how RESULTS builds a sense of collective power. Y’all are connecting advocates from all over the country who are committed to equity, justice, and policy change. It’s cool to bring back what I’ve learned to Urban Indigo and to keep growing with this community!”
New RESULTS volunteer, Vivienne, also reminds everyone about what keeps this work alive: “I want to take lemons and make lemonade.” That energy — bold, determined, hopeful — is what will carry us forward.
Let’s keep gathering. Let’s keep organizing. And let’s keep turning frustration into action, together.
RESULTS groups hosted over 60 in-person events last year. We have 40 in-person gatherings planned already in 2025. Each one is a source of inspiration and connection. Want to host an in-person event? See the Resource Guide for Planning In-Person Events and contact Joanna DiStefano ([email protected]) for support.
