KENDALL K.W. FELLS
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science- Political Science (2004) Morehouse College 830 Westview Dr SW Atlanta, Ga. 30314 Phone: 470/639-0999
WORK EXPERIENCE
Kouper & Associates, LLC
Kendall K. W. Fells, Principal Consultant
Field Strategy and Mobilization Consultant [December 2017-Present]
Specialized in organizing, mobilizing, key strategic outreach and developing sustainable infrastructure in diverse communities. Experience in engagement and development of national campaign strategy, market expansion, new market development as well as; local and national coalition building through issue-based campaigning.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) [January 2005-November 2017]
SEIU Fast Food Campaign: President-National Fast Food Workers Union/ National OrganIzing Director of “The Fight For $15” (FF15) [March 2014- November 2017]
Strategic planning, incl. drafting national, state & local organizing plans;, using issue campaigns to engage voters; organizing & mobilizing workers and community to push major companies and politicians to raise wages. Oversaw 25+ city coordinators & staff from multiple cities & states. Coordinated market expansion of 320+ US cites & 40 countries. Instigated national worker strikes garnering local and national media attention. Interviewed on: MSNBC, CNN MONEY, Fox News, CNBC and C-Span. Built national coalition of 250+ strategic political, religious, LGBTQIA and racial equity groups. Developed, trained and transformed 25 of the national FF15 campaign’s top low wage worker leaders in to the National Organizing Committee (NOC). Several became international “Fight for $15” Ambassadors: Africa, Brazil, Paris, France, Dublin, Ireland. One of the NOC members introduced President Barak Obama at the White House Worker’s Summit 2016.
SEIU Low Wage Worker Campaign: NYC/NY State “Fight for $15” Coordinator [September 2012-February 2014]
Key engagement in national & international planning + strategic market expansion. Created national template for historically successful strikes in major U.S. cities. Built coalition of 100+ community, faith and political groups. Trained a contingent of community organizers to coordinate historic worker strikes that spread to low wage sectors in over 320 cities. Created multiple rounds of internationally noted low wage worker strikes in NYC
SEIU Fight for Fair Economy: “Our DC” Executive Director [April 2010-August 2012]
Trained 35 community organizers to mobilize selected DC community residents for good jobs. Organized multiple local and national mobilizations to Capitol Hill for sit-ins, rallies and protest to support community issues. Enlisted DC residents for key city council votes and speak outs attracting national and local media. Key partner in national strategic planning & coordination of the national Fight For fair Economy. Oversaw $2M budget. Planned and oversaw construction of national tent city on Capitol Hill in 2011 with over 5,000 Americans from 17 major US cities.
SEIU Senior Organizer [May 2008-January 2010], SEIU Field Organizer [July 2006-April 2008], SEIU 1199, West Virginia/Kentucky/Ohio [January 2005-June 2006]
Hospital & Nursing Home union organizing, incl. Yale University (New Haven, Conn), St. John Hospital (St. Louis, MO), Mountain View Hospital and St Rose Hospital (Las Vegas, NV). Wickliff Nursing Home (Cleveland, OH), Allina Health System (Minneapolis, MN), HCA Healthcare Hospitals (Kansas City, MO & Kansas City, Ks), HCA Hospital System( Memphis, Tennessee), HCA Hospitals (El Paso and Brownsville, TX).
Cultural & Information Exchange (Abbreviated)
International Ambassador
Speaking Experience:
Sweden, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Hong Kong; Australia; Ireland; France; China; England; Jerusalem
Key Note
Toronto, Canada: Fight For $15 and Fairness Provincial Strategy Meeting, Workers United Canada Council [March 2017]
New York, Ny: Joseph S Murphy Institute Breakfast Forum Black Lives Matter/Fight For $15: A New Social Movement) [October 2015]
Guest Speaker
Chicago, Ill: Institute of Politics, University of Chicago, Invited by Steven Greenhouse [April 2016]
Panel Participant
Washington, D.C.: Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference hosted by Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-D) [October 2014]
International: South Yorkshire, England: Global Labour Institute’s International Panel Debate on Organizing Informal and Precarious Workers [July 2014]