Partnership for Southern Equity Welcomes Marquese Averett as Managing Director, Organizing

The Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marquese Kwame Averett as its new Managing Director, Organizing. In this role, he will lead a team that is responsible for building PSE’s grassroots base and organizing operations to advance PSE’s advocacy goals.

PSE’s Organizing Unit is the primary way PSE builds the civic bench for advancing racial equity. This unit is comprised of issue area organizers, youth leaders, and our education and leadership development team that designs curriculum and custom offerings to advance the mission of PSE. The Organizing Unit serves as a critical anchor within the organization to deepen racial equity work and build movements that liberate communities from oppressive systems.

Affectionately known as “Skinny,” Marquese is an organizer by training and an activist by passion. He has devoted his entire life to amplifying the voices of the marginalized.   

In 2012, he helped co-found and later served as president of the Young Minority Leaders, leading many community activities including marches for Trayvon Martin, voter registration efforts and campaigns for beautification of city streetscapes and blight. He has worked on numerous political campaigns across the country, both electoral and issue-based. He also served as an organizer for the re-election campaign of President Barack Obama, senior organizer for Trump Resistance for Fuse Washington, and campaign manager of the Liberation League for Daily Kos, among many other roles.  

Marquese has received various awards including the The Rainbow Push Trailblazer Award, Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year, Firm Grip Achievement Award, and has been twice named as one of the 50 most influential African Americans in Columbus. 

Marquese holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fort Valley State University. He is a 2012 graduate of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute as well as a 2014 graduate of Leadership Columbus. 

About The Partnership for Southern Equity: Based in Atlanta, PSE is a nonprofit organization that advances policies and institutional actions that promote racial equity and shared prosperity for all in the growth of metropolitan Atlanta and the American South. Through forums, research, and organizing efforts, PSE brings together the regional community to lift up and encourage just, sustainable, and civic practices for balanced growth and opportunity. www.psequity.org