Democracy in Action Locally

Desert Democracy Project Presentation by Denise Latanzi

Denise Latanzi is a native of Southern California, whose path to activism began with coming of age during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Denise is married to Mark, with whom she has raised a blended family of 6, her happiest and proudest achievement. 

After college, Denise became a social worker in the IHSS system in northern California during the height of the HIV crisis, and quickly became an activist and advocate, working to help legalize medical marijuana in California in the 1990’s. It was during this period that Denise discovered the value of client- focused nonprofit organizations, first becoming a volunteer, then learning to write grants and help with fundraising. It was also where she discovered a passion for grassroots politics, and began volunteering for campaigns, organizing protests, registering voters. 

In 1996, feeling the call to change careers and follow a new path, Denise relocated back to Southern California and took a job with a local nonprofit and started volunteering with local, Antelope Valley political organizations and candidates, back when the AV was a Republican stronghold. It was a great introduction to Red Zone politics.  In 2007 and 2008, while managing a local State Assembly race, Denise was introduced to Organizing for America, the campaign engine of the Obama campaign. 

In 2009, a friend invited Denise to come to Arizona to help with a couple local campaigns during a time when campaigns were becoming more data driven, and her passion for politics and organizing found clear focus. 

In 2019, Denise’s husband became ill, then in 2020 COVID struck, and Denise’s focus shifted back the Antelope Valley, where she reengaged in local AV Politics. 

In the last year, a new project was formed that began as a conversation, and as a series of questions.. How do we bring resources to compete politically in our economically challenged community?  How do we build a bench of skilled candidates who understand local government? How do we marry both of the previous questions to an activist base looking to get involved? 

Out of these questions, Desert Democracy Project was born, and that is what Denise is here today to talk about. 

"Who is John Lewis" Presentation by Salaam Thompson 

Salaam Thompson, a native of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on the city's notorious South Side; was raised Catholic, but in his search for peace and purpose to help him navigate a childhood wrought with tragedy, trauma, and judgement, he discovered and made his conversion to Islam when he was just 15 years old. 

He is married to his childhood sweetheart for nearly 25 years, and is a proud father of two young adult children.

He served in the corporate sector as an advisor on Diversity Equity and Inclusion to create more inclusive environments.

He is highly sought as a DEI and Juneteenth speaker who speaks from the experience of being a black man in American while not “white washing” the experience for the non-blacks in the audience. 

Tonight he speaks with us about John Lewis, another black man in America who became known as “the conscience of Congress,” for his scrupulous honesty