What if you could help decide how the government spends public funds? | Shari Davis

Summary

Shari Davis, a former government employee, passionately advocates for participatory budgeting (PB) as a solution to the flaws in traditional democracy. She highlights the exclusion of marginalized groups and the concentration of power among a select few. PB allows communities to directly shape their governments, creating real solutions to local issues. Davis shares inspiring examples from Boston and Chicago, showing how PB empowers young people and transforms communities. She argues for a reimagined democracy where everyone has a seat at the table, encouraging widespread adoption of PB to rebuild trust and create genuine systemic change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shari Davis introduces herself as a recovering government employee, highlighting the challenges of working in government and the importance of systems change.
• 😀 She emphasizes the commitment of government employees to public service, democracy, and addressing systemic inequities.
• 😀 Davis reflects on her early experience working in city hall, where she realized that there were few people who looked like her in government.
• 😀 The script critiques the historical flaws of democracy, pointing out that it was designed to benefit rich white men, which left many marginalized groups behind.
• 😀 Davis advocates for opening doors in government to include diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring that all communities can succeed together.
• 😀 Participatory budgeting (PB) is introduced as a solution to bring communities and governments together to design and vote on real, impactful projects.
• 😀 PB is about collective imagination, where everyone has a role in creating solutions to community problems.
• 😀 Shari Davis recalls launching the first youth-focused participatory budgeting initiative in Boston in 2014, which empowered young people to allocate funds for projects that addressed local needs.
• 😀 The script shares examples of successful PB projects in Boston, including funding technology access, creating art walls, and renovating parks.
• 😀 Davis highlights the transformative potential of PB, pointing to young leaders like Malachi Hernandez, who has gone on to make a significant impact, showing how PB can shape the future of leadership.
• 😀 Participatory budgeting has spread globally, showing positive outcomes such as improved public health, reduced corruption, and increased trust in government.
• 😀 Davis calls for a renewal of trust in government and a reimagining of democracy, urging the need for systemic change and greater inclusion in decision-making processes.

Q & A

What is Shari Davis' background before advocating for participatory budgeting?

Shari Davis was a government employee for many years and refers to herself as a 'recovering government employee'. She acknowledges the challenges, isolation, and difficulty of working within government systems, especially in the context of systemic inequity.

What is the fatal flaw of democracy according to Shari Davis?

Shari Davis points out that democracy, as originally designed, had a fatal flaw—it was structured to only benefit rich white men, leaving out massive talent and fostering systemic inequities. This flaw led to corruption, apathy, and a failure to address the needs of all people.

What is participatory budgeting (PB)?

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a process where community members collaborate with government officials to ideate, develop proposals, and vote on projects that solve real problems within their communities. It empowers people to influence public spending and government decision-making.

How did Shari Davis' experience with PB in Boston demonstrate its effectiveness?

In Boston, Shari Davis helped launch the country's first youth-focused PB initiative, allocating funds to support technology access for students, create art spaces, and renovate parks. Despite challenges, such as discovering an archaeological site on a planned park, the city embraced community involvement, protecting the site and continuing the project, illustrating PB’s power in creating real change.

What is the significance of the 'Youth Lead the Change' initiative in Boston?

The 'Youth Lead the Change' initiative was significant because it gave young people from marginalized communities the opportunity to directly influence their city. They allocated funds to technology access, public art, and park renovations, addressing both immediate needs and long-term community engagement.

Can you give examples of individuals whose lives were transformed by PB?

Two key examples are Malachi Hernandez, who became the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, and Maria Hadden, who was involved in PB in Chicago, eventually becoming the first queer Black alderperson in Chicago's history. Both individuals exemplify the long-term impact of PB on leadership and personal growth.

How has PB spread globally and shown success in other cities?

PB began in Brazil 30 years ago and has since spread to over 7,000 cities worldwide. For example, in Paris, the mayor allocates a portion of the city's budget for community members to decide how it should be spent. PB has been shown to improve public health, reduce corruption, and increase trust in government.

What is the relationship between PB and democracy?

PB is seen as a method to strengthen democracy by allowing more inclusive and participatory decision-making processes. It helps bridge the gap between government institutions and the community, creating a more engaged citizenry and ensuring that government works for all, not just the privileged few.

What does Shari Davis believe is needed for America to renew trust in its government?

Shari Davis argues that to renew trust in government, the nation needs to adopt new ways of thinking, working, and dreaming about democracy. She calls for the dismantling of old power structures and the creation of inclusive, participatory processes that truly reflect the needs and desires of all people.

Why does Shari Davis reference Octavia Butler's 'Parable of the Sower' in her speech?

Shari Davis references Octavia Butler’s 'Parable of the Sower' because its themes of change and transformation resonate with her call for a reimagined democracy. The quote 'All that you touch You Change, All that you Change Changes you, The only lasting truth Is Change' reflects the need for continuous evolution in society and government.