At the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), leadership is often rooted in lived experience, shaped by community, and strengthened through opportunity. For Andie Rivera-Martinez, the journey into organizing has been both deeply personal and purpose-driven—guided by a commitment to equity, access, and collective power.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Andie completed all of her early education on the island, graduating from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. As a first-generation college graduate, she was already charting new territory for her family. In 2020, she made another bold step, moving to Chicago after being awarded a one-year scholarship to study at the University of Chicago. What began as a temporary opportunity soon became a longer journey. By 2022, Andie had been accepted into a master’s program in social work and social policy, and in 2025, she graduated—becoming not only the first in her family to earn a master’s degree, but also the first to move to the mainland United States in pursuit of higher education.
While her academic path provided a strong foundation, Andie always knew that her calling extended beyond the classroom. “I knew that I wanted to work within the community,” she shared. Though she didn’t initially have formal organizing experience, her background was rich with connection-building, storytelling, and community-centered work. From engaging in fieldwork through geography courses to collaborating with street artists in Puerto Rico to elevate political issues, Andie was already practicing the relational skills that are central to organizing.
Her introduction to the Community Learning Partnership - Chicago (CLP) came through a conversation with a classmate in her master’s program. Recognizing Andie’s passion, her colleague encouraged her to apply. Andie joined CLP’s second cohort in Fall 2024, stepping into a new world that would soon shape her professional path. Before that moment, she had never heard of SWOP or CLP.
Although Andie had previously taken a theory-based organizing course, CLP offered something different. It grounded her learning in real-world practice, led by experienced organizers who had spent years doing the work. Through CLP, Andie began to see organizing not just as a concept, but as a structured and strategic practice.
“It gave me the ability to understand power dynamics within communities,” she explained. Learning how to follow the money, conduct power analyses, and approach conversations
through the lens of self-interest transformed how she engages with people and institutions. CLP also deepened her understanding of patience and trust—reminding her that relationship-building takes time, especially when entering spaces where one must first listen, learn, and earn their place.
For Andie, CLP was a roadmap. “It gives you the tools, knowledge, and connections you need,” she said. “It lets you be a little less in the dark.” The program not only sharpened her skills but also connected her to a network of organizers and leaders who continue to shape her journey.
Now stepping into her role as a Community Organizer with SWOP, Andie brings both her lived experience and her learned practice into the Community Learning Partnership initiative. She sees her work as part of a larger moment—one that calls for more leadership, more connection, and more collective action.
“There is not a better time to facilitate pathways to community organizing than now,” she said. In a time marked by uncertainty, she believes deeply in the need to build the next generation of organizers — leaders who understand their communities and are equipped to create meaningful change from within.
At the heart of Andie’s work is a clear and unwavering belief: no one should have to navigate systems alone. Her commitment extends beyond any single neighborhood or identity. “Even if it isn’t my community, we share cultures and values,” she reflected. “I know firsthand how hard it is to navigate systems.”
That understanding fuels her approach—one rooted in openness, accessibility, and shared knowledge. She is intentional about breaking down barriers and ensuring that information and resources are not withheld but shared freely. “I don’t want to see any form of gatekeeping,” she said. “We should be actively sharing information and resources.”
As Andie Rivera-Martinez begins this next chapter with SWOP, she does so with clarity, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility. Her story is one of courage and commitment—but more importantly, it reflects what becomes possible when passion meets purpose, and when individuals are given the tools to lead alongside their communities.
