Together We Stand
Inspiring Impactful Change
Together We Stand is a nonprofit organization dedicated to dismantling racism and discrimination and to promoting equality and inclusion. We focus on lifting up and bringing a voice to marginalized groups in the communities we serve through education, art, policy change, grassroots organizing and youth leadership development.Our initiatives and activities are designed to catalyze real change in our communities. A passion to create true racial equality and equity is at the heart and soul of everything that we do✊🏾
What We Do
Community Outreach
Together We Stand works with communities across the country providing support for grassroots organizing, policy change, addressing racial inequality and police brutality and offering youth leadership development opportunities.•We are currently working with organizers and the community of San Pablo to stop the building of a $43 million dollar law enforcement training facility. It is essential the $43 million dollars allocated for this project be used in ways to uplift the majority black and brown community through better access to healthcare, food justice, social services and educational opportunities.For more information or to discuss how TWS can assist and collaborate please contact us!
Education
TWS offers workshops for groups, schools, organizations and companies in the following areas:• Examining Racism and White Privilege• Creating and nurturing an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion.• Raising children who embrace diversity• Parenting Black and Brown Children in a time when the police can be dangerous.• Examining how we develop our Implicit and Explicit Biases and doing the work to address them in a safe space.
Volunteering
Together We Stand has been an all volunteer run since 2016. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization and are what make us a family. We have opportunities for all ages and abilities. There is a place for everyone in a revolution, you just have to find what works for you! If you're interested in volunteering or interning with us contact us today!
Contra Costa County Coalition to address police community safety and accountability
TWS is working to create a coalition to address racism in policing in Contra Costa County and provide training and support for protests and rallies against the building of Cop Campus in San Pablo and against the racist practices within the Antioch Police Department and others in the county. We plan to build a cohesive community that can rapidly mobilize when needed to support and protect our communities of color. We also plan to work with the cities within Contra Costa County to address policy changes that benefit the most vulnerable populations.
Currently there are plans for the City of San Pablo to build a 43 million dollar cop training facility. San Pablo is 58% Hispanic, 17% Asian and 11% Black, so it is a city that is predominantly made up of people of color, many low income. There is great concern that this facility will further militarize law enforcement at a time when people of color are extremely vulnerable to racial profiling and abuse at the hands of police. Contra Costa Cocunty is in the national spotlight due to the federal corruption investigation that has resluted in charges against officers from Antioch and Pittsburg police departments for civil rights violations, corruption and attempting to cover up the use of excessive force. We have seen multiple deaths at the hands of police in Contra Costa County over the past few years that were completly avoidable and all were men of color; Miles Hall, Tyrell Wilson, Angelo Quinto, Tahmon Wilson all should be alive today. This project will offer organizing support to address the culture of violence we are seeing in policing and support in challenging the police training facility as well. This project will bring organizations and community members together to work cohesively at addressing these issues. Low income communities of color need more resources for healthcare and education, not multi-million dollar police training facilities.
GRASSROOTS YOUTH SOCIAL JUSTICE/ARTS PROGRAM
Founded in 2016, TWS has worked as family advocates on cases of discrimination in education and police brutality in numerous states across the country and has been influential in changing the lives of many.
The majority of our cases have been on behalf of young people of color and this fact has spurred our desire to create a youth social justice program which we are launching in 2024 in schools and community centers.
The program will be geared towards low income youth of color youth ages 10-21 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program will be provide a safe place for youth to identify and address the issues they face such as, discrimination, education inequities, socio-economic struggles, police brutality and racial profiling, youth on youth violence and family crises. The focus will be empowerment and civic engagement to not only help youth deal with these realities, but to help them develop the knowledge and skills to become agents of change for themselves and their communities.
The program will consist of:
•COMMUNITY/FRIENDSHIP BUILDING
One of the most vital aspects of growing up is building a community of friendship. Often we now see clicks, bullying and a lack of compassion and empathy for others.
This program will foster TRUST, RESPECT, EMPATHY and ETHICS (TREE🌲) We will challenge the participants to Engage in Critical thinking with the goal to help the YOUTH identify what they would like to improve, change, and challenge systemically in their environments.
The participants will engage in grassroots organizing through Introduction to multimedia Artistic CREATION, Community engagement,
COMMUNITY Mobilizing
Culminating in an Event!!!
For more information or if you're interested in bringing this to your school, community organization, church or nonprofit, please email us via the button below.
Protests/Rallies/Events
Making Change Possible
Founded in 2016, Together We Stand has made tremendous impact thanks to the help of members and volunteers in the San Francisco Bay Area and nationwide. The core of our work lies in the continuous passion and dedication we bring to the range of projects we take part in. TWS provides support and advocacy for victims of racism, discrimination and police brutality. We strive to provide holistic solutions to impacted families. Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
News
TWS in the News
It gives us tremendous pride to be recognized for all of the hard work we do here at Together We Stand. Explore some of our latest media features below. Do they inspire you to get involved? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Justice for Miles Hall
Black Lives Matter Martinez
Shadow Warriors of 2017
Interview with Together We Stand Director on shooting if Tahmon Wilson
Make a Report
Have you or someone you know been a victim of racism, discrimination or police brutality? You can make a report with us here and someone from our team will get back to you ASAP. Please give us as much information as possible i.e. Date/Time/City/State/ and a description of what happened.
Board of Directors
Get to Know the Faces behind Together We Stand
Sevgi Fernandez
Founder
Sevgi Fernandez has worked as a diversity coach/consultant for the past 15 years both independently through her company Diverse World Coaching, and as Senior Vice President of Race and Cultural Diversity at ARMCGlobal. In 2016 Sevgi founded her nonprofit, Together We Stand, (TWS), which advocates for victims of racism, discrimination and police brutality nationwide. Through grassroots organizing, Sevgi has worked with individuals and organizations across the country empowering black and brown people to affect change in their lives and communities through advocacy, education and legislation. Sevgi has worked as a consultant providing workshops on race, racism and bias in a variety of settings from parenting groups to colleges and Fortune 500 corporations.
Paige Fernandez
Policing Policy Advisor
Paige Fernandez (she/her) works at the Center for Popular Democracy/CPD action as the National Organizing Manager for Justice Transformation. Prior to CPD/A she worked at the ACLU as its inaugural policing policy advocate where she developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to reduce the role, power, and resources of police across the country. Paige's approach to organizing places impacted communities at the forefront of the work and is based in an abolitionist framework, practices rooted in her grassroots experience. Born, raised, and living in Philly, Paige organizes with Reclaim Philadelphia and volunteers at her alma mater high school, CAPA.
Dr. John Fernandez
Lead DEI Consultant
Dr. John P. Fernandez is the founder and president of Advanced Research Management Consultants Global, LLC. Dr. John P. Fernandez is the author of nine books, and has received critical acclaim as one of the world’s leading thinkers in areas of leadership, teambuilding, diversity, child care, elder care and human resource management. He is currently working on a book about global Leadership, Diversity, Proactive Inclusion and GlobalTREEsm which focuses on building cross cultural world class teams. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Harvard, John received his PhD from the University California at Berkeley. As a highly sought out speaker, John has appeared on CNBC, CNN and Marketplace on National Public Radio. John has taught at Yale, New York University, Antioch, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Heather Anderson
Marketing/Branding
Heather Anderson is both a community-leading activist, and marketing strategist who’s passionate about fostering organic growth for businesses through strategic partnerships and engaging customers through storytelling. She’s the Founder of The Mamahood, the largest and most diverse support group for mothers in the San Francisco Bay Area, and The Club, a holistic support group for women entrepreneurs.
The Club helps diverse women- and gender non-binary CEOs, Founders, Business Owners, Experts and Creatives succeed through exposure to potential customers, peer community, and curated resources.
By moderating these forums through a lens of social justice, she has leaned heavily into her own anti-racism work while bringing her members along on the journey. Her talk, “Social Justice Within Online Communities: How to Moderate for Diversity and Inclusion” was featured at Facebook’s Community Summit 2019, and she contributed to activist Myisha T. Hill’s book, Check Your Privilege, released March 2020.
She’s also a writer, speaker, a songwriter for her band, Blue Rabbit, and a mother of five with a penchant for graphic novels and reading cookbooks without actually cooking. Her first memoir, Liar Liar Heart on Fire, was published in 2020, and the prequel is a musical memoir of love stories and lyrics, being published weekly on Substack. www.heatherlynnanderson.com (coming soon)
Jacqueline Minifield-Brown
Family Advocate/Police Brutality
Jacqueline is educated, hard working and successful. Sadly these are not the only reasons that brought us together. Jacqueline's son D'Londre was murdered, gunned down by the police, back turned and unarmed. Together We Stand met Jacqueline shortly after her son's death and we have been together ever since. Her determination, to get justice for her son is unparalleled and yet she still doesn't have it. This is why we do this work. To make sure mother's in the future have a chance at justice and to hopefully END these senseless killings. We welcome Jacqueline on board. Her experience is invaluable as we look to help others in her circumstances.
Michael Garcia-Picazo
Administrative Assistant & Board Member
Michael Garcia-Picazo (he/him) has been a community grassroots organizer in the Bay Area for over 10+ years with deep ties to grassroots organizing in various different community groups, and organizations. His skills and knowledge that he brings will be used to support, push, and inspire the community to continue creating a better world.
His Awards/Recognitions:
* Certificate of Recognition by Dr. Rev. George C.L. Cummings, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay on July 2018 for “ Is awared this certificate in deep appreciation of your leader, faith in action and outstanding commitment to transforming lives and building the power of our communities through Congregations Organizing For Renewal (COR) & Oakland Community Organziations (OCO).”
* Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Achievement in Community Organizing by Jenna Konno: NASW South Bay Unit Chair & Glenn Thomas: NASW Regional B Director, The National Association of Social Work on March 2018 for “In recognition for their continued excellence in the field of social work”.
* Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Community Service to Union City Family Center by Nancy George, Executive Director on January 2016 for “Community Service Participation: GradNation Summit, UCFC Open House, Summer Food Distribution, Daily for the Zone After School Program (3-4 hours daily), Summer School Volunteer and UCFC Community Council Member”
* Youth Warrior Award “by the CARLOS PRESENTE HOST COMMITTEE of H.O.M.E.Y for his Outstanding Civic Engagement work and Contributions to the San Francisco Community. Award in October of 2018.
Justice Williams
Website/Developer-Event Coordinator- Protest Security
Justice Williams, has a passion for Social Justice being the grandson of a Black Panther instilled this in him from
an early age. His major at the University of Redlands was Ethnic Studies and he was the Treasurer of the Black Student Union. If you have an event and need TWS to assist you with security training, preparation or a team for your event please contact us.
Nakenya Allen
President of the TWS
Contra Costa County Chapter
Nakenya Allen is an activist and trailblazer being the first Black woman to run for City Council in Martinez California. Her steadfast commitment to creating racial equality and equity and promoting a safe county for all marginalized citizens has been at the core of who she is and the work that she does. If you have concerns within the county that you would like to discuss or would like to get involved with the chapter please reach out.
Hamza Alarbesh
Lead Coordinator for TWS Youth Music/Arts Mentorship Program
Hamza is a multi-disciplined producer and vocalist based in the Bay Area. He has been an active member of the local hip hop scene between San Francisco and Oakland for the last decade and can be found on numerous projects including FNG’s Rent Check album as well as collaborations with Grammy nominated Jake One!
Community Testimonials
We have been so fortunate to have worked with families across the country. Here are just a few words from our TWS family.
I have been in community with Together We Stand and Sevgi Fernanadez, for almost 10 years. We met working on Native rights issues. TWS provides invaluable support to folks who need it. I’ve witnessed Sevgi rally resources for community members in need or to stand up against repression. Sevgi is a rock star in my eyes. Suzie Baer, Director Warrior The Life of Leonard Peltier.
Tws is a great organization they help families out their own pocket without any help they are true advocates for families that are in need since I lost my son to police brutality TWS has been there for me since day 1!
L.R.
TWS HELPS ME FOR MANY YEARS I CAN’T IMAGINE MY LIFE WITHOUT ITS HELP.
Thank You.J.B.
One of the worst times in one's life is experiencing the death of a child. You are at your lowest, you're confused, and no matter how many people are around, you feel alone. 2016 was the year that my life changed forever. It was at that time in my life when I met Sevgi. I had just moved 300 miles away from where my son was killed. I couldn't stand to see the police in the town that killed my son. I had no idea where to begin. I was an emotional wreck, but that didn't deter her. Sevgi was referred to me by another mother in a group that had reached out to me after the death of my son. From the first time I spoke to her she was like the long lost sister, best friend, and mother all in one. Sevgi and TWS helped me maneuver through court filings, organizing events, speaking with lawyers, and one on one counseling. She sent speakers to events that I have organized for my son throughout the years without asking for a dime.. To people that are in these situations similar to mine, this is so essential. Our lives have just changed forever, and we have just buried our child, and we don't really know which direction to turn next.The process is never the same for any 2 families. Every journey in this situation is different. From across the country Sevgi saved my life and she doesn't even realize it. Finding someone like Sevgi and her organization, TWS, has been my beacon of light in the darkness. She has given me hope so many times when all I wanted to do was give up. There were times where I didn't know where I would sleep and I could call Sevgi in the middle of the night and she would answer. She never once complained or asked questions about why I felt the way I did, she merely guided me out of some of the darkest times of my life until I I was okay. When I was first introduced to her organization it was a grassroots organization finding its way. Since that time I have watched as the organization has grown and helped so many others like myself. Overall, I could not recommend a better person or organization than Sevgi and TWS. She stands out from the large organizations that focus on high profile cases. This is so unheard of in the Social Justice fight. The cases like mine, that happen in small towns, that don't get much media attention. She makes the small cases important, and she doesn't gain anything from it. TWS has organized Go Fund Me account fundraisers when I had to relocate my family in an emergency situation and did not have any help. It has been seven years since I was introduced to Sevgi and my love and admiration for her has only grown. She has done everything in her power to help me through this process. I honestly could not have made it through without her. There is no problem that I have faced that Sevgi has not been able to help me with or find someone who can. She doesn't give up easy! She will find a way!
She is a priceless resource and the best version of a human | have come across in many years. I could not recommend a better resource for anyone going through anything in life they may need help with.
Jacqueline Minifield-Brown
Mother of D'Londre Minifield
#justicefordlondreminifield
I am writing this to express my absolute gratitude, personal experience and strong support for together we stand, which is an amazing community-based organization operated by Sevgi Fernandez. I have had nothing but positive experiences with this organization and learned valuable lessons in community development, proper ways to protest injustices and doing the right things to push for change. The knowledge I gained from this organization altered my life in the best possible way as my city has received a lot of help from this group.
I am a resident of Martinez CA and like most uncultured small towns across the country in the aftermath of George Floyd, the minorities here were faced with a hostile majority. This town has never had any of its bias exposed so publicly as it did during that time. We had BLM murals defaced and white nationalist recruitment flyers posted in the downtown area. I wanted to get involved to make sure all POC in this town felt safe and properly represented. I really had no experience with community organizing or maneuvering through an unsupportive local government.
I reached out to Sevgi for guidance and assistance and she didn’t hesitate to come into this hostile environment and guide our communities. She gave me the strength to step up and speak out. I was able to reach other members of this community to join us and stand against racism, systemic and otherwise. It was quite the journey with hard lessons learned but even throughout all of that. I never felt abandoned by TWS. She was always available to share knowledge and guide us in the right direction.
TWS not only dealt with the adults organizing in Martinez but she also held protest and space for the younger kids who were experiencing racism at the MUSD school district. I don’t think any of us were able to pay TWS for the sheer amount of work done in this town and our neighboring towns. I was so inspired that I decided to run for my local city council. I didn’t win the seat this time but defiantly want to make the same impact as TWS has in our communities. I would highlyrecommend this organization as it is full of compassion, experience and most importantly dedicated to seeing the changes we need in this country’s embedded systems.
Sincerely, Nakenya Allen
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