Todd Belcore, a six-time national award-winning lawyer, mediator, and lecturer, is the co-founder and executive director of Social Change, a national nonprofit dedicated to economic, social, and racial equity. With more than 20 years’ legal experience, he has led efforts to pass over 30 pieces of legislation into law across multiple states on policing, prison reform, government transparency, cannabis equity, and access to justice, jobs, housing, and education. His work has earned him 23 honors, including the American Bar Association’s National Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, and the White House’s Champion of Change.
In an interview with TNJ Contributor Taroue Brooks, Belcore struck a deeply personal tone as he spoke of his work.
How did your education prepare you for your work with Social Change?
I attended high school at the University of Chicago Lab Schools, which provided a rigorous academic foundation and further nurtured the commitment to community and justice instilled in me by my mother. For my undergraduate studies, I went to the University of Michigan, where I initially pursued pre-med. However, as I continued to learn more about Black history and live the Grutter V. Bollinger case in real time, I found my true calling to address systemic injustices as a lawyer.
I was blessed to attend Northwestern University for law school. That’s where I honed my skills in advocacy, negotiations, litigation, research and writing. It’s also where I began taking on larger and larger leadership roles going from the president of the school’s service organization, where I oversaw thousands of hours of impactful work that I organized or facilitated, to president of the entire student body, where I represented students at tables with the Dean and other senior staff to ensure student needs and the broader community needs were a priority in words, in the budget, and in execution.
What that looked like was a budget where disbursal was tied to organizational commitment service and collaboration. It looked like a school culture where we paid to commission paintings of our diverse alum, and I received heat for standing up for our LGTQIA sisters and brothers. It looked like reminding our students and the nation of the nobleness of this profession by changing policy so law students could engage in pro bono work even sooner and creating a practicum course for stud
ents to provide free assistance to survivors of Katrina.
All this helped prepare me for a career centered on empowering people, fostering community and building and mobilizing coalitions necessary to effective fight for justice and equality.
How does Social Change carry out its mission?
Social Change has been committed to the liberation of marginalized communities since 2012. Its mission is to address systemic social injustices and empower marginalized communities through direct advocacy, policy change, and community service.
In doing so, we tackle issues such as health disparities, hunger, and unjust legal treatment. One of our flagship initiatives is the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival, known as ChangeFest, which uses storytelling to inspire, conversations to help create understanding, and real opportunities to create change so the diverse coalitions built or bolstered can turn art into concrete change. To date we’ve hosted 14 festivals, reaching more than 10,000 people worldwide.
Our team is diverse, reflecting the communities we serve and understanding firsthand the hardship too many endure, including poverty, incarceration, discrimination, housing insecurity, and food insecurity.
What inspired you to work in this industry?
My decision to work in the social justice industry as a freedom fighter stemmed from personal experiences. Today, no one has to explain to me what it’s like to be hungry, to couch-surf, to bury siblings way too young, to have guns pointed at you by the police, to be in jail, to be discriminated against for being poor, Black, or past mistakes. I know all of that pain, all of that hardship, and all of that heartbreak firsthand.
My upbringing also gave me the privilege to see exactly how much grit, humility, selflessness, sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears it takes to overcome all those barriers. Every day I witnessed my mother work several jobs at once, plead with family, get on payment plans and do everything else in her power to make sure we had a chance.
So, while I know the very real harm, the very real trauma and the lifelong scars caused by systemic racism and economic inequity, I also know the life and death difference it makes to have someone fighting for you.
That’s why, when I had the chance to go to schools like the University of Michigan and Northwestern University School of Law, I soaked up every skill and opportunity they afforded for me to develop more of the leadership, organizing and other skills necessary for me to fight for others like my mother fought for me, and to address the systems responsible for creating such hardship for our family and so many others in the first place.
What has been your experience in the work you do on behalf of the African American community?
It’s a true privilege. In today’s America, where milk and bread cost $10, I know it’s harder than ever to do God’s work while also being able to do even the simplest things, like paying bills and caring for elderly parents—let alone starting a family. So the fact that I’ve been able to do so is an incredible gift that is not lost on me and that I am grateful for each and every day.
That said, doing this work right requires being on the front lines. And on the front lines you see the rawness of our community’s struggle, of people’s pain, of their heartbreak, of our country’s brokenness. That takes a true toll.
That’s why it’s critical that I’m also cognizant of just how emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically draining it is to hear, feel and see people at their lowest point and just trying to survive. That requires being self-aware enough to give myself grace when the pace of progress isn’t where it needs to be. That requires giving myself the space to take half a day on a Saturday or other days to recharge and spend time with loved ones. That requires being patient and staying prayed up when I am giving and doing all that can be done but lose out on a grant to tourist service organizations that are making less of an impact per dollar, not run people directly impacted and are not housed in our communities.
Finally, that requires celebrating every win meaningfully. For every person who is able to start a business—who never could have done so but for our help—I celebrate them. For every family that now has stable housing that they wouldn’t have had but for our help, I celebrate them. For the hundreds of thousands of people I’ll never meet that now have the chance to fulfill their potential and radically change the trajectory of their future and the future of their families because of new laws we’ve successfully advocate for, I celebrate all of that.
And when I’m at my lowest, I just take a moment to look back and see just how far God has taken a kid from nothing, with nothing, who was supposed to be nothing; to remind myself that, while it’s OK to visit the valley from time to time to help us look up and appreciate the majesty of the mountaintop, it’s not a place where we are meant to stay.
Tell us about the film festival
Nothing connects two people–even perfect strangers–faster than stories. And, in today’s world that is as polarized as almost at no other point in history, we need to bring together as many people as possible. It is with that understanding that we created the International Social Change Film Festival, so that there could be a mechanism and a platform both for us to tell our own stories, and to bring together and build community between people from all walks of life from all over the world. That’s exactly what ChangeFest does.
ChangeFest features films, spoken word, music, paintings and other forms of art that illuminate pressing social issues, followed by powerful discussions that encourage reflection, and opportunities to do something meaningful to address the issues. In that way, ChangeFest is not just about experiencing important art and celebrating creators. It’s also about engaging in dialogue, building community, being a catalyst for change and creating real impact.
What has been the most challenging aspect of entrepreneurship?
The most challenging aspect has been getting people, companies, entities, and foundations to back up their words with their actions. Why? Because, while we have exponentially grown since our humble beginnings, hosted an acclaimed International Film Festival and impacted the lived of millions, there are still significant issues of awareness and exposure that we at Social Change must navigate.
As it relates to awareness, for example, in the 1960s you generally wouldn’t find people unwilling to donate to organizations that were making a huge impact during the Civil Rights Movement. The problem today is that too few people realize that the fight for Civil Rights is not one of the past, but one of the present. Don’t tell us what you would’ve done if you grew up in the civil rights era, show us right now, as organizations like Social Change still navigate and try to address some of the most significant deprivations of civil rights in this country’s history.
The other challenge is exposure. Too few have heard of this cool Black-led, innovative, impactful, liberation-centered business. That’s why I’m so grateful for opportunities like this interview that help change that.
What keeps the Social Change team motivated?
The Social Change team stays motivated because we know both the pain that too many in our communities endure firsthand, and we know that our work not only relieves that pain, but also transforms the lives of entire generations. Given that, motivation and inspiration are never lacking for us.
However, one area where motivation requires a good boost from time to time is fundraising. While our work has benefitted more than four million people, transformed lives, and is completely scalable, we still struggle to penetrate higher-dollar fundraising circles. But, being denied funding and access doesn’t mean we don’t see who does have access. And what we see is millions of dollars being funneled to the same bloated organizations, or organizations that are run by and comprised of people who have never experienced our hardships firsthand. That unfortunate reality is the only obstacle that wears on us and requires a morale boost here and there.
What do you consider your most significant accomplishments?
One of my most significant accomplishments is leading efforts to pass more than 32 measures in multiple states related to policing, prison reform, government transparency, equity in the cannabis industry, and access to justice, jobs, housing, education, and business ownership. Additionally, providing legal assistance to more than 1,000 individuals, and hosting 14 International Social Change Film Festivals enjoyed by more than 10,000 people worldwide stand out as major achievements. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to transforming lives and communities.
What are the key lessons you have learned as an entrepreneur?
One key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of resilience and adaptability. The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges and setbacks, but maintaining a clear vision and being flexible in your approach is crucial. Building a strong, diverse team that shares your commitment and values is also essential. Collaboration and partnerships can amplify your impact and help navigate resource constraints. Finally, staying grounded in your mission and being transparent with your community fosters trust and long-term support.
What are your long-term goals for Social Change?
My long-term goals for Social Change include expanding our reach and impact across more communities, developing sustainable funding models, and continuing to advocate for policy changes that promote social justice. I aim to enhance our educational programs and legal services to empower even more individuals and families.
Another goal is to grow ChangeFest into a globally recognized platform for social change, leveraging media and storytelling to drive international dialogue and action. Ultimately, I hope to see a significant reduction in systemic barriers and an increase in opportunities for marginalized communities, and dismantle these systems so significantly that we put ourselves out of business.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Stay deeply connected to your mission and the communities you aim to serve. Build a diverse team that brings different perspectives and experiences to the table, and don’t be afraid to seek partnerships that can enhance your impact. Be resilient and adaptable, as the journey will have its challenges. Focus on creating sustainable models for growth, and always prioritize transparency and trust within your organization and with your stakeholders. Most importantly, remember that true change takes time and persistence, so stay committed and passionate about your cause.
The post Todd Belcore: International Freedom Fighter in Social Justice appeared first on The Network Journal.
