Maurice Mitchell (activist)
Maurice Mitchell | |
|---|---|
| 2nd National Director of the Working Families Party | |
| Assumed office April 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Cantor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Long Beach, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Working Families |
| Education | Howard University (BS) |
Maurice "Moe" Mitchell is an American activist, rapper, and musician, currently serving as the National Director of the Working Families Party, a progressive political party known for cross-endorsing candidates through fusion voting.[1] Mitchell has served in the role since April 2018, having succeeded Dan Cantor.[2][3] He is also the lead vocalist for the hardcore punk band, Cipher.
Early life and education
[edit]Mitchell was born and raised in Long Beach, New York, the son of Caribbean immigrants. In high school, Mitchell was a member of the Long Island Student Coalition for Peace and Justice. Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Howard University.[4]
Career
[edit]After college, Mitchell returned to Long Island, where he worked at for the Long Island Progressive Coalition. Mitchell then worked as an organizing director for Citizen Action. During the Ferguson unrest after the shooting of Michael Brown, Mitchell temporarily relocated to Ferguson, Missouri to work with other activists.[4][5]
In addition to his work in activism and political organizing, Mitchell is a founding member of the hardcore punk band, Cipher, established by Mitchell and several high school classmates in 1996.
In 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitchell and the Working Families Party had to recall waves of organizers and canvassers.[6]
Personal life
[edit]In 2012, Mitchell's home in Long Beach, New York was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. Mitchell is vegan.
MF DOOM (Daniel Dumile) and DJ Subroc (Dingilizwe Dumile), legendary MC's/rappers, were Mitchell's older cousins.
References
[edit]- ^ Ball, Story by Molly (2016-01-07). "The Pugnacious, Relentless Progressive Party That Wants to Remake America". The Atlantic. ISSN 1072-7825. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
- ^ Lerer, Lisa (2018-12-20). "A Chat With Progressive Leaders About the Future of the Left". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
- ^ Meyerson, Collier (2018-04-13). "Economic vs. Racial Justice Is a 'False Choice,' Says the New Working Families Party Director". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
- ^ a b "Maurice "Mo" Mitchell". AFROPUNK. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
- ^ "2019: SMC Annual Conference". SOCIAL MEDICINE CONSORTIUM. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
- ^ Herndon, Astead W.; Philbrick, Ian Prasad (2020-04-05). "Progressives Built an Organizing Juggernaut for 2020. Then the Virus Hit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-24.