Who I am
About
Ken Whittaker
Movement Builder & Social Justice Strategist from Detroit, Michigan
I’m driven by a simple but powerful belief: real change is built by real people. For more than two decades, I’ve worked to dismantle systemic barriers, build multiracial coalitions, and move communities from surviving to thriving.
I’m not just an executive — I’m a strategist, an organizer, and a relentless advocate for dignity, equity, and opportunity. My leadership has helped turn grassroots energy into lasting political and social change at the local, state, and national levels.
When I’m not building movements, you’ll find me kayaking Michigan’s waters, raising the next generation of leaders, or tending to my garden — because growing anything worthwhile takes time, care, and a whole lot of heart.
My work is about breaking down barriers, building real power, and making justice unstoppable.
Receipts
Years Building Power
Campaigns Fought
Policies Impacted
My bio
Resume
Executive Director
- Organizational Strategy and Leadership
- Fiscal Management and Fundraising
- Board Development and External Relations
At Michigan United and Michigan United Action (formerly Michigan People's Campaign), I lead statewide strategies to build power in marginalized communities through civic engagement, movement organizing, and political advocacy. As Executive Director, I oversee strategic, organizational, and fiscal growth, manage a high-performing team rooted in racial and economic justice, cultivate board leadership, and direct campaigns aligned with community priorities. My work advances policies and practices centered on dignity, equity, and opportunity, while developing multiracial leadership pipelines and expanding the organization's impact across Michigan.
Movement Politics Director
- Political Program Design and Execution
- Electoral Strategy and Staff Development
- Grant Acquisition and Campaign Oversight
As Director of Movement Politics at Michigan United and Michigan United Action (formerly Michigan People's Campaign), I built and scaled the organization's most extensive political program, driving candidate pipelines, voter engagement operations, and deep relational organizing. I managed up to 75 staff across multiple electoral programs, secured record-breaking grant funding, and trained hundreds of emerging leaders through the Movement Politics Academy. My strategies flipped key legislative seats, advanced racial, economic, and immigrant justice campaigns, and solidified grassroots power across Michigan.
Southeast and West Michigan Organizing Director
- Regional Organizing Strategy Development
- Staff and Volunteer Management
- Coalition Building and Campaign Execution
As Southeast and West Michigan Organizing Director, I designed and implemented regional strategies to build grassroots power across Metro Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and surrounding counties for Michigan United and Michigan United Action (formerly Michigan People's Campaign). I managed staff and volunteers, coordinated coalition campaigns on immigrant rights, racial and economic justice, and civic engagement, and drove statewide policy change through local movement building and strategic organizing.
Movement Politics Organizer
- Electoral Field Strategy and Candidate Recruitment
- Deep Canvass and Relational Organizing Implementation
- Volunteer Mobilization and Voter Engagement
As a Movement Politics Organizer, I expanded the political engagement programs of Michigan United and Michigan United Action (formerly Michigan People's Campaign) by recruiting movement candidates, launching relational organizing models, and coordinating voter mobilization efforts. I trained grassroots volunteers and deep canvass teams to build leadership capacity, shift electoral outcomes, and create lasting political power in underrepresented communities.
Civic Engagement Fellowship Manager
- Fellowship Program Design and Leadership
- Organizer Training and Development
- Voter Engagement and Community Power Building
As Civic Engagement Fellowship Director, I designed and led fellowship programs across multiple election cycles for Michigan United and Michigan United Action (formerly Michigan People's Campaign), recruiting and training canvassers to become full-spectrum organizers. I developed curricula focused on leadership, relationship-building, and grassroots organizing, scaling the organizations’ ability to move beyond voter contact into sustainable community power building.
Legislative Aide
- Policy Research and Legislative Support
- Constituent Services and Casework Management
- Community Event Planning and Public Communications
As a Legislative Aide in the Michigan House of Representatives, I supported legislative initiatives through policy research, constituent casework management, and community outreach. I drafted communications, organized community events, and maintained strong relationships with constituents to ensure responsive and effective representation.
Campaign Coordinator
- Labor-Community Coalition Campaigns and Political Mobilization
- Anti-Walmart Organizing Strategy (Southfield and Lincoln Park)
- Ballot Initiative Signature Collection and Quality Control Oversight
As Campaign Coordinator for the AFL-CIO in Michigan, I led major organizing efforts to fight corporate expansion and defend worker rights. I helped defeat proposed Walmart openings in Southfield and Lincoln Park through coalition-based community organizing. I also ran the Detroit component of the Labor 2012 campaign, overseeing signature collection and quality control for Michigan’s collective bargaining ballot initiative, and supported statewide efforts to elect worker-friendly candidates to the Michigan Supreme Court. My work strengthened labor-community alliances and protected critical rights for working people across the state.
Communications Specialist
- Member Communications and Messaging Strategy
- Public Relations and Media Outreach
- Support for Union Organizing Campaigns
As Communications Specialist for UFCW Local 876, I developed and executed communications strategies to support union organizing efforts and member engagement campaigns. I managed internal communications, expanded public relations outreach, and helped strengthen the union’s visibility and connection with its membership during major contract fights and organizing drives.
Deputy Campaign Manager
- Campaign Operations and Field Program Management
- Volunteer Recruitment and Training
- Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
As Deputy Campaign Manager for Taj Clayton’s congressional campaign in Texas, I oversaw daily campaign operations, managed field organizing and volunteer recruitment, and supported communications strategy and rapid response. I helped drive voter outreach efforts and community engagement initiatives during a competitive U.S. House primary.
What i do
Services
Attainments
Skills
Movement Strategy & Campaigns
Leadership & Training
Communications & Messaging
Coalition Building & Partnerships
Testimonials
Clients
Chenita G., Executive Director, Our Own Wall Street
"Whether he’s speaking to a packed rally or a small group of leaders, Ken moves people. His ability to connect, inspire, and deliver a clear message has made him one of the most trusted voices in our movement."
Via Facebook
Micah W., Community Engagement Coordinator
“Ken doesn’t just talk about building power — he builds it. His strategic leadership transformed our coalition into a force capable of winning real change. Working with him pushed our organization to the next level.”
Via Facebook
Jordan W., Movement Fellow
"Ken is a master at turning everyday people into extraordinary leaders. His training helped me find my voice, my power, and my role in the movement. I wouldn't be where I am today without his mentorship."
Via Facebook