Mike Cassidy
Mike Cassidy (he/him) is the Communications Director at Unemployed Workers United (UWU). Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Mike was organized into the migrant justice movement during the fight against Arizona’s “show me your papers” law, SB1070. After beginning as a volunteer, he developed his skills as a videographer and graphic designer, as well as a co-leader of direct actions, workshops, narrative strategy, and all things comms.
Over more than a decade of grassroots movement work Mike has co-led successful policy campaigns including as Communications Coordinator at Poder In Action for the fight for the Undocumented Workers Relief Fund. He has also supported and co-led narrative strategy for successful political campaigns at the City (Carlos Garcia for Phoenix City Council), County (BAZTA Arpaio), and State (Anna Hernandez for LD24) levels. His narrative strategy and video production work has included national orgs and campaigns at Families Belong Together, Dream Defenders, Mijente, and others.
Mike has over eight years of youth development experience in working class and immigrant communities, including as Executive Director of Dysart Community Center in El Mirage, AZ. Prior to joining UWU, he served in the Homeless Services Unit at Maricopa County, fighting for increased shelter beds and services for the unsheltered population in Arizona. Mike holds a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Human Rights. When not having his heart broken by the Oakland Athletics professional baseball club, Mike is also a drummer, avid hiker, proud father of two, and lover of the Sonoran Desert.