Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America – Summary & Related Resources
A collation of resources about the book – Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America – by Hahrie Han, Elizabeth McKenna and Michelle Oyakawa
Introduction
A collation of resources about the book – Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America – by Hahrie Han, Elizabeth McKenna and Michelle Oyakawa. (Published in 2021 by the University of Chicago Press).
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Book
Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in Twenty First Century America
“Grassroots organizing and collective action have always been fundamental to American democracy but have been burgeoning since the 2016 election, as people struggle to make their voices heard in this moment of societal upheaval. Unfortunately, much of that action has not had the kind of impact participants might want, especially among movements representing the poor and marginalized who often have the most at stake when it comes to rights and equality. Yet, some instances of collective action have succeeded. What’s the difference between a movement that wins victories for its constituents, and one that fails? What are the factors that make collective action powerful?
Prisms of the People addresses those questions and more. Using data from six-movement organizations—including a coalition that organized a 104-day protest in Phoenix in 2010 and another that helped restore voting rights to the formerly incarcerated in Virginia—Hahrie Han, Elizabeth McKenna, and Michelle Oyakawa show that the power of successful movements most often is rooted in their ability to act as “prisms of the people,” turning participation into political power just as prisms transform white light into rainbows. Understanding the organizational design choices that shape the people, their leaders, and their strategies can help us understand how grassroots groups achieve their goals.
Linking strong scholarship to a deep understanding of the needs and outlook of activists, Prisms of the People is the perfect book for our moment—for understanding what’s happening and propelling it forward.” – Publisher’s description
Book Preview and Excerpt
- Prisms of the People – Google Books Preview
- Beyond Numbers: An excerpt from Prisms of the People on how collective action generates real, durable power. (Standford Social Innovation Review)
Watch
Leading Change Network Book Event: Prisms of the People with Liz McKenna, 2021
A video of Liz McKenna sharing ground-breaking research from her latest book, Prisms of the People: Power & Organizing In Twenty-First-Century America.
How can organizations build power that is not only about gaining a seat at the decision-making table, but enables them to challenge the status quo, and win victories for their constituents?
On April 21st, 2021 we were joined by Liz McKenna who shared ground-breaking research from her latest book, Prisms of the People: Power & Organizing In Twenty-First-Century America.
Drawing on data from successful movement organizations in the US – including LUCHA, an immigrant rights organization that helped win a minimum wage increase in 2016 and turn Arizona blue in 2020; New Virginia Majority, which helped restore voting rights to the formerly incarcerated; the Amos Project which passed universal preschool in Cincinnati; and ISAIAH, which built a multiracial and multi faith base to influence a gubernatorial election in Minnesota – Liz and her co-authors show that the power of successful movements most often is rooted in their ability to act as “prisms of the people,” turning participation into political power just as prisms transform white light into rainbows.
Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in 21st Century America, PowerLabs, 2021
Watch the recording of the book talk with Elizabeth McKenna to learn their findings on the organizational design choices that made these organizations powerful. This talk was hosted by Powerlabs in 2021.
“The co-authors examine cases of successful change in Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, and Virginia and show that the most effective movements were the ones that rejected the false choice between idealism and pragmatism, between working inside the system and outside the system, between articulating a bold vision and making political compromises.
Instead, by investing in building constituencies that were flexible and committed, these movements were able to win voting rights for the formerly incarcerated in Virginia, pass universal preschool in Cincinnati, push back against the worst excesses of SB 1070 in Arizona and lay the groundwork for the state’s historic shift in 2020, and elect candidates willing to articulate new vision of multi-racial politics in Minnesota.” – Powerlabs
Listen
Listen to this book talk Prisms of the People: Power & Organizing in Twenty-First Century America held by The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at The Harvard Kennedy School in May 2021. The panel included coauthors Elizabeth McKenna and Michelle Oyakawa and Alejandra Gomez and Tomás Robles of Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA).
Brief about Elizabeth McKenna
Elizabeth McKenna is a respected sports leader, academic coordinator, and former collegiate coach, known for her dedication to athlete development, academic program management, and public engagement. With a career spanning athletics and higher education, she has helped shape environments where student-athletes thrive both on the field and in the classroom. McKenna is also known to many through the cultural lens of literature, thanks to her name being used in the beloved novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, adding a layer of public curiosity to her profile.
Background and Education
Childhood and Early Life
Born and raised in the United States, Elizabeth McKenna developed a love for sports and education from a young age. Whether participating in local leagues or excelling in school leadership roles, she stood out as someone who understood the power of discipline, mentorship, and academic excellence. Her early experiences laid the foundation for her career that would merge these passions into a life of service in education and athletics.
Academic Background
McKenna pursued higher education with a dual focus on sports and academia. She earned her undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Sports Studies, followed by a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Her academic journey reflected her commitment to blending athletic performance with educational opportunity, a theme that would remain central throughout her career.
Professional Experience
Coaching Role at University of Oregon
Elizabeth McKenna gained national recognition for her coaching role at the University of Oregon, one of the leading institutions in collegiate athletics. As part of the coaching staff, she worked with athletes across various sports programs, emphasizing holistic development—athletic excellence paired with academic integrity and personal growth.
She became known for her athlete-centered coaching philosophy, focusing on mentorship, discipline, and resilience. Her time at Oregon helped shape institutional approaches to student-athlete support and left a lasting mark on several programs.
Academic and Administrative Positions
In addition to her coaching credentials, McKenna held several administrative and academic roles, contributing to the strategic planning and execution of student services programs. These positions included:
- Academic Coordinator for Athletics
- Director of Student-Athlete Development
- Curriculum Designer for Leadership and Ethics Programs
In these roles, she worked closely with deans, faculty, and athletic directors to ensure students were supported academically while maintaining the rigorous demands of NCAA-level competition.
Media Portrayal – Guernsey Literary Society
Elizabeth McKenna’s name gained cultural attention through its appearance in the novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, where a character by the same name plays a key historical role. Though fictional and unrelated to her work in academia and sports, the character’s literary presence has occasionally drawn media inquiries and public curiosity toward McKenna herself, adding a surprising narrative thread to her otherwise education-focused career.
Areas of Expertise
Sports Leadership and Athlete Development
McKenna is highly regarded for her deep understanding of sports leadership, particularly in developing ethical, resilient, and high-performing athletes. Her coaching methods are built on:
- Emotional intelligence and mental wellness
- Leadership training for captains and senior players
- Academic accountability and time management
- Gender equity in sports leadership
She often consults with athletic departments on how to design programs that produce not only elite athletes but also empowered individuals.
Academic Coordination and Program Management
With a background in educational leadership, McKenna specializes in coordinating academic services that cater to student-athletes. Her expertise includes:
- Curriculum design tailored to athletes’ schedules
- Retention strategies for at-risk students
- Program evaluation and continuous improvement
- Advising structures that support holistic development
Her dual experience in athletics and education allows her to bridge institutional gaps, creating more integrated and supportive learning ecosystems.
Achievements & Recognition
Professional Accomplishments
Over the course of her career, Elizabeth McKenna has been recognized for her contributions to collegiate athletics and academic administration, including:
- University of Oregon Student-Athlete Development Award
- Regional Coach of the Year in early-career coaching roles
- Guest lecturer at national conferences on athlete education, including the NCAA and Women Leaders in College Sports
Her impact has also extended into policy recommendations, contributing to NCAA subcommittees on educational equity and student well-being.
Public and Media Engagements
McKenna has participated in several media interviews and panels focusing on women in sports leadership, the future of collegiate athletics, and student-athlete mental health. She’s also been featured in local and national publications for her leadership during transitional moments in athletic programs, including initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Occasional references to her literary namesake in The Guernsey Literary Society have also drawn public attention, leading to speaking invitations where she reflects on the unexpected intersections between literature and identity.
Values and Vision
Guiding Principles and Advocacy
Elizabeth McKenna’s professional ethos is grounded in integrity, equity, and empowerment. She advocates for student-centered education and athletics—spaces where every individual is supported, challenged, and heard. She is particularly vocal about:
- Mental health awareness among student-athletes
- Supporting women and girls in leadership roles
- Advancing inclusive practices in athletic departments
- Using sports as a vehicle for social change
She believes leadership is not defined by titles, but by the capacity to uplift others, ask difficult questions, and make consistent values-driven decisions.
Long-Term Goals
Looking ahead, McKenna is focused on:
- Developing national mentorship networks for women in sports administration
- Publishing a book on ethical leadership in collegiate athletics
- Designing interdisciplinary programs that combine education, wellness, and competitive athletics
- Advocating for policy reforms that protect the academic integrity of student-athletes in the face of growing commercialization
Her long-term vision is to help reshape college sports so they serve as a model of ethical leadership and student well-being, rather than a source of stress or inequality.