UpstreamTN is a change-driven 501(c)4 organization designed to build a leadership development pipeline of courageous, skilled, diverse community leaders and changemakers who will champion our right to live, thrive, choose, and vote in Tennessee.
UpstreamTN believes a better future is possible in Tennessee. We envision a state where Tennesseans are thriving through transformative policies championed by progressive change makers and leaders. We take a proactive approach by identifying, recruiting, training, and fully supporting state-level candidates, campaign staff, and courageous leaders to run for office, lead campaigns, and pass bold, progressive policies.
Your support allows us to host free and low-cost trainings and convenings for Tennesseans, virtually and on the ground, to shape the future of Tennessee.
By challenging competitive and uncontested legislative seats, UpstreamTN aims to effect real transformative change in our state.
What We Do
Recruitment
We host, curate, and attend events and meetings in targeted Tennessee counties to reach our intended audience of leaders and changemakers.
Training
Our focus is on developing an equity-centered curriculum and conducting group trainings and retreats that equip trainees with the knowledge, competencies, tools, skills, and temperament to run for office, lead campaigns, and pass bold, progressive policies.
Support
Our goal is to fully support candidates and campaign staff with the resources necessary to launch a viable campaign, stay in the race, and win victory on Election Day.
UpstreamTN Boot Camp
_edited.jpg)
On May 31st - June 2nd, UpstreamTN partnered with Emerge Tennessee to offer our inaugural UpstreamTN Boot Camp Training in Nashville. This training was designed for anyone - volunteers and team members alike - to learn how to effectively lead well-resourced campaigns, alongside Emerge Tennessee candidates. In total, we welcomed 12 candidates and campaign staff members to complete the training.
Boot Camp Training is open to Campaign and Organizational staff and volunteers (managers, directors, coordinators, etc). Participants will have the opportunity to discover effective strategies for campaign planning and strategy, messaging and media relations, digital organizing, fundraising and budgeting, field planning and direct voter contact, as well as for advocating common-sense gun safety reform, healthcare for all, reproductive freedom, and democracy and voting rights within your campaign team.
For additional inquiries, please contact win.upstream@gmail.com.
We are confident that this training will be invaluable in our collective efforts to bring about positive change in Tennessee. We hope to offer our next training in Spring of 2025.
Meet Hannah
Hannah is a Regional Field Organizer for the Megan Barry for Congress campaign. She participated in Upstream's inaugural boot camp training. Hear what she had to say!