Mercedes Fulbright
Dallas,TX
Summary
Senior-level political strategist and movement leader with 17+ years of experience leading large-scale advocacy campaigns, electoral strategies, and multiracial coalitions across local, state, and national landscapes. Proven ability to translate grassroots energy into winning campaigns, durable infrastructure, and long-term people power, leveraging art, narrative strategy, and organizing to advance structural change.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Electoral Justice Programs
Re:Power
04.2022 - Current
- Serve as senior national leader shaping movement building, advocacy, and electoral campaign management trainings and programming.
- Designed and launched Camp re:power, a flagship national training program strengthening the pipeline of over 300 BIPOC, women of color, and gender-expansive movement leaders in electoral and grassroots organizing.
- Trained 3,000+ organizers and campaigners over three years on integrating grassroots advocacy with electoral strategy for long-term power building.
- Cultivate high-impact partnerships and fundraising with national movement organizations and funders, including Ford Foundation, Four Freedoms Fund, and Movement Voter Project.
- Represent the organization in national political strategy, convening, and democracy defense spaces as a panelist, speaker, and training facilitator.
Organizing Director
Texas Working Families Party
02.2020 - 04.2022
- Led statewide organizing and electoral strategy resulting in the election of 30+ progressive candidates at local, state, and federal levels.
- Directed large-scale voter engagement operations:
750,000+ doors knocked
1.5M digital impressions
1.1M peer-to-peer texts
500+ volunteers mobilized statewide - Built and sustained multiracial, working-class, union-led, faith-based, immigrant- and youth-centered coalitions.
- Translated advocacy goals into winning electoral outcomes in one of the most complex political environments in the country.
- Fundraised and managed budgets, resources, and timelines for volunteer organizing initiatives to maximize impact and efficiency
- Analyzed data and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of organizing efforts and make data-driven decisions for future campaigns
Texas State Coordinator
Local Progress
12.2017 - 02.2020
- Developed and implemented initial strategic plans as first staffer to establish elected official engagement efforts, resulting in a network of more than 90 progressive elected members representing nearly 50 jurisdictions in Texas.
- Managed a team of community coordinators across the state, providing training, guidance, and support to ensure effective execution of municipal policy implementation like the passage of Sanctuary City ordinances to protect Texas based immigrants from CBP and ICE
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and government officials to foster collaborative governance and advocacy on important city issues like the passage of Paid Sick Leave in 2017
- Monitored and evaluated program performance and impact in Texas, collecting member survey data, analyzing results, and making recommendations for continuous improvement and sustainability.
- Developed and managed annual state convening for members to weigh in on policy priorities, propose statewide campaigns, and shape the strategic vision for the state
Special Assistant to the President
Paul Quinn College
06.2017 - 12.2017
- Provided high-level administrative support to the President, managing complex calendars, arranging travel itineraries, and coordinating meetings with key stakeholders and high profile philanthropists.
- Conducted in-depth research and analysis on policy issues, prepared comprehensive briefing materials, and drafted speeches and talking points for the President.
- Managed a team of administrative staff members, delegating tasks, providing guidance, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Acted as a liaison between the President and senior staff members, ensuring smooth communication and execution of directives.
Policy and Civic Engagement Associate
Young People For, People for the American Way
04.2015 - 06.2016
- Developed curriculum to train 150 fellows to create youth focused budget and policy priorities
- Developed policy briefs, position papers, and research reports to support advocacy efforts on key social justice issues
- Coordinated advocacy events, including town hall meetings, panel discussions, and legislative visits to promote grassroots organizing and community involvement
- Conducted research on legislative proposals and regulatory changes, providing analysis and recommendations to inform strategic decision-making and advocacy efforts
Education
Masters of Public Administration - Public Policy
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas12.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Communication Studies
University of North Texas
Denton, Texas05.2012
Skills
- National Campaign & Advocacy Strategy
- Grassroots Organizing & Integrated Voter Engagement
- Coalition Building (Labor, Faith, Youth, Cultural Movements)
- Large-Scale Campaign Operations & Metrics
- Leadership Development & Political Education
- Narrative Strategy & Cultural Organizing
- Fundraising & Strategic Partnerships
- Movement Building (Black Radical Tradition)
Accomplishments
Movement for Black Lives I Board Secretary I 2024 - Present
Movement for Black Lives I Strategy Table Member I 2021- 2024
BYP100 Action Fund I Board Chair I 2019-2022
BYP100 I Member I 2015-2024
Electoral Justice Project I Founding Table member and lead political strategist I 2018 - Present
Grassroots Leaders Organizing to Win (GLOW) Vote I Stacey Abrams for GA Lead I Primary & General 2018
Planned Parenthood Texas Votes I Board Member I 2018 - 2020
New Leaders Council Dallas I Founding Member & Chapter Chair I 2017 - 2019
Wendy Davis for Texas I Dallas Volunteer Captain I 2013-2014
NAACP I Youth & College Chair & National Board Member I 2010 - 2013
Timeline
Director of Electoral Justice Programs
Re:Power
04.2022 - Current
Organizing Director
Texas Working Families Party
02.2020 - 04.2022
Texas State Coordinator
Local Progress
12.2017 - 02.2020
Special Assistant to the President
Paul Quinn College
06.2017 - 12.2017
Policy and Civic Engagement Associate
Young People For, People for the American Way
04.2015 - 06.2016
Masters of Public Administration - Public Policy
University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, Communication Studies
University of North Texas
Publications
Authored Publications:
- State Courts Hold the Power to Free Us Or Erase Us I Ms. Magazine
Podcast Features:
- “Liberation looks like permanently organized communities” I The Forge
- Mercedes Fulbright: The One with Sci-Fi Wokeness I The Event Nerd
Media Mentions:
- Activists Propose Ideas To Redirect Funds From The Dallas Police Into Social ServicesI The Texas Standard
- 'Fighting For Change': This July Fourth, Black Leaders Call On The Community To Take Action I KERA News
- Dallas Native Terence Nance Talks About His Hit Show Random Acts of Flyness I D Magazine
- As most states raise their minimum wages, Texas refuses to budge I Texas Tribune