We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of the Grassroots Collaborative team, Marla Bramble and Rocio Garcia! We asked them a few questions so you can get to know them better. Take a look!
Marla Bramble
Deputy Director
What is exciting to you about joining Grassroots Collaborative?
I’m thrilled to join the staff as Deputy Director with GC! I’ve been involved with both Grassroots Collaborative and Grassroots Illinois Action on campaigns and as a board member for several years, and excited to join the team in a staff role to continue moving the vision forward. I’m excited to work with a recognized organization that leads with a sharp race and class analysis which so clearly drives our work. I’m inspired by the Collaborative and its powerful labor and community organizations that have been at the forefront fighting for change.
What past experiences are you excited to bring to your work at GC?
My passion and fight for justice is unwavering. I have been successful at transforming organizations by building strong staff teams, organizing programs, and cultivating amazing leaders. Together, we won victories around issues on many fronts. Some of my most memorable campaign moments were winning citywide affordable housing policies, fighting against school closings, the Level 1 Trauma Center at UofC, holding Chicago police accountable, and fighting for real tax dollars that change lives, such as the Fair Tax and Bring Chicago Home. And, as a resident of Humboldt Park, I’m proud of years of political involvement that has led to electing incredible leaders to represent us at all levels. I look forward to building on these experiences and growing the movement with GC!
If you were an animal, which would you be and why?
If I were an animal, I’d be a dolphin! I love the water!
Rocio Garcia
Senior Organizing Director
What is exciting to you about joining Grassroots Collaborative?
The Grassroots Collaborative has been at the forefront of powerful grassroots coalition building between community and labor and I am excited to be part of the strategy development for how, in the current political moment, we build power together and change the material conditions of people most deeply impacted by decades of disinvestments.
What past experiences are you excited to bring to your work at GC?
Most recently, I was the Organizing Director at United Working Families where we built a strong member base, recruited movement candidates and got them elected to shift the terrain of people in elected office and what is possible. At the last UWF convention, the membership– consisting of individual members, local community political organizations and the rank and file of its unions– voted to send a UWF member to the 5th floor of city hall, and signed up to do the work it took to get Brandon Johnson into elected office.
If you were an animal, which would you be and why?
Reading so many children’s books with my toddler in the last 3 years, I have become fascinated with narwhals. Maybe it’s their unicorn vibe or that they migrate and travel in pods–very much my ancestral experience. Either way, how cool would it be to reach the deepest parts of the ocean floors and use sonar to navigate through the depths!