Civic Basics

Welcome! Get ready to build and strengthen your civic engagement foundation
and take action about issues you care about. The Civics Basics guides are all about our rights and responsibilities as community members.

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Civic Basics Starter Pack

An African American woman voting at a local community center.
More Learning
Civic Basics Starter Pack
Introduction to Government
How to Vote
History of Voting Rights and Voter Suppression
Know Your Rights 101
Participatory Budgeting
What is a Community Board?

Civic Basics Hero Stories

Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke

Born in the Bronx, Tarana grew up in a low-income, working-class family in a housing project and is a survivor of sexual assault. She began her career at a youth development organization.
Lydia Darly

Lydia Darly

Born in France (of Guadeloupean descent), and a current Brooklynite, Lydia is an actor and award-winning filmmaker who has spent her life raising the stories of people from marginalized communities and supporting women in film. Lydia proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2022.
Cheryl Jones

Cheryl Jones

A retired resident of Brooklyn, Cheryl has volunteered her entire life through her job, her church and other local organizations.