NextGen’s Executive Director Arnie Sowell Jr. was selected by the Sacramento Bee’s Equity Lab as one of “Sacramento’s Top 20 Black Change Makers who have transformed communities through their leadership, innovation, altruism, and style.” Below are excerpts from the Equity Lab’s profile of Arnie.

 

Background: Sowell knows that a rising tide can lift all boats. The executive director of Next Gen Policy, a Black-led progressive nonprofit, his organization is focused on tackling issues that champion many causes, rather than just one single issue. He advocates for a variety of policies and programs that involve the environment, racial and social justice, and economic equity. Sowell’s work has helped people facing discrimination in legal proceedings find recourse, improved access to electrical vehicles for local communities of color. He also teamed up with other local nonprofits to promote benefits like CalFRESH.

Plans: Sowell wants to see the organization grow beyond its current size, furthering its influence beyond the local area to the entire state. He wants to continue bigger projects like the Racial Equity Commission, which has been endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Best advice: “We can’t just continue to move forward, thinking that everything is gonna work itself out. We’ve got to work with others. We’ve got to build coalitions, and we’ve got to be courageous and fearless in our efforts to try to make the world a better place,” Sowell said. Why a nominee?: “Arnie is invested in the Sacramento community and has mentored countless individuals both professionally and personally throughout his life,” his colleague, Robin Swanson said. “This is something that comes second-nature to Arnie… he invests his personal time and resources in others without hesitation.”

Best advice: “We can’t just continue to move forward, thinking that everything is gonna work itself out. We’ve got to work with others. We’ve got to build coalitions, and we’ve got to be courageous and fearless in our efforts to try to make the world a better place,” Sowell said.

Why a nominee?: “Arnie is invested in the Sacramento community and has mentored countless individuals both professionally and personally throughout his life,” his colleague, Robin Swanson said. “This is something that comes second nature to Arnie… he invests his personal time and resources in others without hesitation.”

Read more about the Sacramento Bee’s Equity Lab and the other regional leaders honored as Change Makers here