A non-partisan and non-profit alliance of congregations and community groups in Anne Arundel County representing over 20,000 adults.
We meet people face-to-face, listen and build relationships that create the capacity in a community for leadership development, citizen-led action and strong relationships across the lines that often divide our communities.
To act on big problems impacting people, we break them down into issues that can be addressed.
Listening to what is needed, we find new and emerging community leaders who want to work with us for change, and engage others who can help us achieve our goals.
We believe in building power in order to have the capacity to act: power that is reciprocal, that is tempered by our values and traditions, and that includes more people in the dynamics of public life.
ACT does not seek nor receive government funding, relying on contributions and private sources. We do not endorse candidates or work with or for any political parties, however, we work with those running for or holding public office on the issues we care about.
ACT Member Institutions
ACT Strategy Team
Co-Chairs
Secretary
Treasurer
Strategy Team Members
With Gratitude for the Service of:
ACT Staff
Katie Zinler
Lead Organizer; MD Statewide Organizer
katie@actaaco.org
Katie Zinler brings 15 years of community organizing experience with tenants, public schools, faith congregations, labor unions, and community groups. She led campaigns to win $6M annually for affordable housing and $8M for child care in Spokane, WA. In Maryland, Katie organized with parents and teachers to create a new, free, high-quality after-school program in high-poverty elementary schools that is now in 14 schools. She also organized with tenants to get their property manager to clean up systemic toxic black mold in their apartments.
Carlos Childs
Community Organizer
carlos@actaaco.org
Carlos Childs is a seasoned community organizer with a proven track record of success in advocating for social justice and civil rights. He has dedicated his career to empowering directly impacted communities, leading impactful campaigns on critical issues such as police accountability, legal justice, students’ rights, and tenants’ rights. His advocacy efforts have resulted in significant legislative victories, including the passage of the Freedom to Read Act and the successful defense of the Child Interrogation Protection Act. He is a skilled organizer and facilitator, adept at convening and managing community town halls to educate residents on organizing principles and empower them to exercise their rights effectively.
Katie Wenger
Communications Manager
katie.wenger@actaaco.org
As the Communications Manager for the Maryland Just Power Alliance, Katie Wenger engages ACT leaders, donors, press, and other stakeholders to promote and support our work. Prior to joining ACT, Katie was a leader at ACT’s sister organization VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) in Arlington. Katie also has experience in communications and change management from her previous role as a Business Analyst.
Maurita Bowie
Meeting Support Specialist
maurita@actaaco.org
Maurita Bowie provides technical support for ACT’s meetings and events, supporting our ability to build power together.
Together with our sister organizations AIM and PATH, we make up the Maryland Just Power Alliance. As a coalition, we represent broad people power in Maryland and advocate for policies at the state level for housing, climate, and more.
ACT, AIM, and PATH are 3 of the founding members of the Just Power Alliance; a collective of organizations from the midwest and the east coast, with a focus on building multi-racial, multi-class, multi-generational, multi-faith and multi-issue coalitions –because sharing power amplifies power.
