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THE SEAP STORY

Founded by Stacey Abrams in 2019, SEAP is your partner and resource. We amplify the efforts of existing organizations and networks that work towards broadening economic power and building a more equitable future. Broadening economic power brings attention to how race, class and gender intersect social and economic policy in the South. We explore policy ideas designed to directly address these connections. SEAP focuses on 12 Southern states and marginalized/vulnerable populations within the region and is a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 

To connect with our team, please email us at info@theseap.org.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Policy Support

SEAP technical assistance provides innovative and rigorous policy support for Southern organizations. Together we will create bridges and overcome barriers that broaden economic power throughout the region and build a more equitable future. We assist in gathering data; performing research; linking policy analysts, organizers, and scholars; communicating policy; and identifying best practices.

Please email us for more information: info@theseap.org.

Microgrants

We support policy progress in many ways — through policy support, data and research, community engagement, and network-building. We also know that it costs to engage in policy. SEAP provides microgrants to organizations that wish to engage in a policy for the first time or in a new way.

 

Please sign-up for SEAP’s newsletter to stay informed on the latest microgrants information.

Community Engagement

At SEAP, we want to provide aid to fill the gaps in organizations that are doing great work for their community. Before we can offer you support, SEAP is devoted to learning more about your organization and community impact. Our team can visit your region to set up roundtables with similar organizations to hear concerns and challenges. Our 2-hour listening sessions help dissect the struggles and barriers within policy and leadership. SEAP’s goals are to learn about the challenges of communities and the organizations serving those communities, and policy infrastructure to meet those challenges.

Please email us for more information: info@theseap.org.

Experiential Learning Program

SEAP strives to give students, graduates and young professionals a chance to learn about the work that we do. Through our 15-week, paid internship, also known as our “Experiential Learning Program,” we provide local and remote interns an opportunity to build their research skills and professional experience. Ideal candidates:

  • Self-starters
  • Interested in economic security and sustainability
  • Strong knowledge of G-Suite and Microsoft Office
  • Ability to work with limited supervision
  • Strong communication skills via email and phone

Click Here to Apply

Sarah Beth Gehl is the Executive Director for SEAP. She served as policy director for the Stacey Abrams for Governor 2018 campaign and previously served as deputy director for the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, where she specialized in tax policy. She founded Gehl Consulting to provide consulting services to maximize the policy and advocacy impacts of national and Georgia-based nonprofits. Sarah Beth has taught at the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Agnes Scott College. She received a Ph.D. in public policy through a joint program at Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University, a Masters in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BA from Birmingham Southern College.
 

Genny Castillo is Regional  Engagement Director for SEAP. Genny is focused on bridging the gaps for community members and policy impact. Genny is responsible for coordinating local programming to bring SEAP to the people. Her professional experience includes being COO of BLUE Institute, the premier training program to prepare more young people of color for the leadership of electoral campaign in the South and Southwest. During the 2018 campaign cycle, Genny served as the Latinx Constituency Director through the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Coordinated Campaign. Genny served as the Director of Caucus Services and developed one of the nation’s most successful state legislative caucus internship programs from 2011-2017 for the Georgia House Democratic Caucus. Genny received her B.S. in Sociology from Berry College and her A.M. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. Genny is a graduate of the GALEO Institute for Leadership, LEAD Atlanta Class of 2016 and the GPEE Education Policy Fellowship Program. Genny is a mentor with the Latin American Association and a facilitator for the GALEO Institute for Leadership.

Maria Filippelli is the Data Director for SEAP at the Roosevelt Institute. Working with SEAP partners, Maria breaks down barriers to accessing and analyzing data needed to broaden economic power and build a more equitable future throughout the South. 

Maria has a background in data science, urban planning, and public interest technology. Most recently Maria was a Public Interest Technology Census Fellow with New America, where she developed and led a strategy to assist dozens of national, state, and local organizations and governments navigate the technical changes to the 2020 Census. Prior to that Maria was a Data Science Manager with DataKind and a Planner for the San Diego Association of Governments.

Maria is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and American Planning Association, on the Board of Directors for TechShift, and a NASA Space Apps Ambassador. In addition, Maria holds a MS in urban science and informatics from New York University and a MA in economics from San Diego State University.

Dede Dunham is the Communications Manager for SEAP. Dede is focused on propelling SEAP’s mission through consistent messaging and strategy. Dede is responsible for managing and organizing all communications activities, including developing strategic communications plans for campaigns and initiatives. She is also responsible for drafting press releases and talking points, coordinating media inquiries, organizing briefings and events and ensuring SEAP websites and social channels remain up to date. Prior to joining SEAP, Dunham served as Press Secretary and Digital Media Manager for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, where she fostered and maintained a positive image of the agency through effective and sui generis communications tactics. Degreed in Journalism and English, Dunham is a 2016 Liberal Arts graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana.

Emily Roberts is the Outreach and Digital Associate for SEAP. Emily works alongside Genny and Dede to support SEAP’s digital presence and engagement with partners. Emily is a community organizer and creative entrepreneur who is passionate about exploring and naming the ways in which art and design are used to tell stories, influence decisions, and include or exclude the voices and identities of others. She has years of experience and education in the fields of public health, community engagement, graphic design, and project management.

Emily received her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from East Carolina University in 2013 and, upon graduating, jumped in to lead, support, and work alongside community engagement efforts across Western North Carolina. An aspiring artist from the time she could first hold a crayon, Emily took a leap of faith to intentionally follow her passion for art and design by pursuing a Certificate in Advertising and Graphic Design at her local community college and launching her own design and illustration business in 2018.

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