The Post Black Youth Vote! Civic Leadership Training Conference Teleconference had 12 attendees discussing, planning and organising. The agenda involved introducing new ideas conceived since the conference, going over volunteer assignments in the areas of building and maintaining a strong foundation and infrastructure, gearing up for an external campaign to brand and expand Black Youth Vote! and prepare for the April legislative based conference in 2009.
BYV! is reignited and energised to prepare it's agenda/recommendations for the new administration and 111th Congress as well as State plans.
It is essential that we begin the work now and follow-through once our elected leaders take office. This is the beginning of a process and Black Youth Vote! is committed throughout the process.
If you are interested in assisting or joining our efforts please email me at blackyouthvote@ncbcp.org.
Let's not sit idly by while others plan our future. We must engage, engage, engage.
November 21, 2008
November 14, 2008
Kevin Powell Visits the Black Youth Vote! Conference in DC
William Kellibrew: Let’s get right down to business. Young people are dealing with the question, “We voted, now what?” What do you suggest might be next steps to voting in this especially historic election?
Kevin Powell: Wow! I think that young people have to really make voting and civic participation as natural as breathing and brushing their teeth. You know, someone said that the local elections are really crucial between the presidential election every four years. That means that we have to become educated about who our local elected officials are, what they do or don’t do and when they are up for re-election and if there are other viable candidates for that particular position. I also think that young people have to be a member of at least one community based organization outside their religious institution, join something.
William Kellibrew: So, getting involved is important. I definitely agree with that. What does an African-American president mean to this country?
Kevin Powell: it means that there is a thing called possibility in America. It means that a progressive multicultural coalition in America can come together to affect change. I also think that it says this is the beginning of some real work.
That is the continuation of what we fought for in the civil rights movement. But we need to be clear that we are not a post racial or past racism society just because Barak is president. We still have systemic racism in our country. You see it in public school education funding in inner-city areas. You see it in the images in the mass media culture other than Barak and Michelle and you see it in the discrepancies around housing, healthcare and the record number of young people of colour in the prison pipeline. So Obama’s victory is a start, not the end.
William Kellibrew: You know you said some very important things that young people can take a hold of and propel themselves to organize. What are your next steps? I know you ran for Congress and that must be an honor to work so hard to serve the people. What’s next for you?
Kevin Powell: Running for Congress again (with an honest smile and chuckle). We haven’t stopped, the website is up. We are going to fundraise on Monday (chuckling). We are running for Congress in 2010. I say, “We” because we are a team. On top of that I just published my ninth book, The Black Male Handbook. We have to promote that with a national tour and a national college tour in 2009 and whole bunch of multi-media stuff with Apple. We will make a CD project around the book and really just carry the message around the country of the need to redefine black manhood. There is something called the employment project in Brooklyn. When I was running for Congress young people asked can they have a job. For young people civic engagement is tied to how well they are doing. We would go around the room and survey all the young people. Where are they now? Vocation, Trade School, college – a needs assessment in the projects is important. Number two, are you willing to take a basic entry level job to start a living or for a regular salary. A lot of people don’t have regular job experience. They have been out of the job market for a while. Number three, how to dress, how to sit and how to act.
William Kellibrew: It is always a pleasure to see you and an honor to speak with you. Black Youth Vote! wishes you much success. I wish you success personally and it was great seeing you in Tougaloo at the Nissan Student Government Executive Leadership Program where you really affected young leaders and glad to have you here at our Black Youth Vote! Civic Leadership Training Conference.
Kevin Powell: I love and appreciate you all and I want to continue this intergenerational work because we are leaders together.
William Kellibrew: Thanks Kevin.
Kevin Powell: Wow! I think that young people have to really make voting and civic participation as natural as breathing and brushing their teeth. You know, someone said that the local elections are really crucial between the presidential election every four years. That means that we have to become educated about who our local elected officials are, what they do or don’t do and when they are up for re-election and if there are other viable candidates for that particular position. I also think that young people have to be a member of at least one community based organization outside their religious institution, join something.
William Kellibrew: So, getting involved is important. I definitely agree with that. What does an African-American president mean to this country?
Kevin Powell: it means that there is a thing called possibility in America. It means that a progressive multicultural coalition in America can come together to affect change. I also think that it says this is the beginning of some real work.
That is the continuation of what we fought for in the civil rights movement. But we need to be clear that we are not a post racial or past racism society just because Barak is president. We still have systemic racism in our country. You see it in public school education funding in inner-city areas. You see it in the images in the mass media culture other than Barak and Michelle and you see it in the discrepancies around housing, healthcare and the record number of young people of colour in the prison pipeline. So Obama’s victory is a start, not the end.
William Kellibrew: You know you said some very important things that young people can take a hold of and propel themselves to organize. What are your next steps? I know you ran for Congress and that must be an honor to work so hard to serve the people. What’s next for you?
Kevin Powell: Running for Congress again (with an honest smile and chuckle). We haven’t stopped, the website is up. We are going to fundraise on Monday (chuckling). We are running for Congress in 2010. I say, “We” because we are a team. On top of that I just published my ninth book, The Black Male Handbook. We have to promote that with a national tour and a national college tour in 2009 and whole bunch of multi-media stuff with Apple. We will make a CD project around the book and really just carry the message around the country of the need to redefine black manhood. There is something called the employment project in Brooklyn. When I was running for Congress young people asked can they have a job. For young people civic engagement is tied to how well they are doing. We would go around the room and survey all the young people. Where are they now? Vocation, Trade School, college – a needs assessment in the projects is important. Number two, are you willing to take a basic entry level job to start a living or for a regular salary. A lot of people don’t have regular job experience. They have been out of the job market for a while. Number three, how to dress, how to sit and how to act.
William Kellibrew: It is always a pleasure to see you and an honor to speak with you. Black Youth Vote! wishes you much success. I wish you success personally and it was great seeing you in Tougaloo at the Nissan Student Government Executive Leadership Program where you really affected young leaders and glad to have you here at our Black Youth Vote! Civic Leadership Training Conference.
Kevin Powell: I love and appreciate you all and I want to continue this intergenerational work because we are leaders together.
William Kellibrew: Thanks Kevin.
November 04, 2008
Congratulations!!!
Black Youth Vote! would like to officially Congratulate Senator and President-elect Barak Obama. If we ever thought about giving up Senator Obama reminded us tonight that giving up is only something that can be discarded. We must claim and define ourselves. Thank you Barak for your unwavering lesson.
A Night to Remember
Tonight is certainly the night. Over 60 people are gathered here tonight at the National Council for Negro Women where Black Youth Vote!, a program of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation is holding our Command Center to monitor and support the staff and volunteers who are working on the ground. Most importantly, we are helping to protect the vote. There is so much to be concerned about in terms of voter suppression, etc. The night has just begun.
Illai's Conversations Via IM on Black Planet
NCBCP: Have you voted?
RobDee: yes
NCBCP: Great, how was it?
RobDee: It was a beautiful thing. The reason it was is because I know I'm voicing my opinion and it could be beneficial to my desires.
NCBCP: Awesome! Any other message?
RobDee: Anyone who has a belief in whatever it is in life should not be afraid to satnd for it. We're in the land of democracy and it should be utilized to the fullest!
RobDee: yes
NCBCP: Great, how was it?
RobDee: It was a beautiful thing. The reason it was is because I know I'm voicing my opinion and it could be beneficial to my desires.
NCBCP: Awesome! Any other message?
RobDee: Anyone who has a belief in whatever it is in life should not be afraid to satnd for it. We're in the land of democracy and it should be utilized to the fullest!
Shyne's Vote Story
Here is a conversation I had with a voter in Arkansas over Instant Message on Black Planet.
NCBCP: Have you voted?
Shyne: yes last friday as a matter of fact.
NCBCP: great how was it?
Shyne: it was great no problems voting i did see alot more young african american voters out voting early. :)
NCBCP: that is an awesome story!
NCBCP: Have you voted?
Shyne: yes last friday as a matter of fact.
NCBCP: great how was it?
Shyne: it was great no problems voting i did see alot more young african american voters out voting early. :)
NCBCP: that is an awesome story!
Faye Anderson reporting about the 1-866-MYVOTE1 Hotline
Calls are pouring into the voter assistance hotline, 1-866-MYVOTE1. The top five hot spots are Cook County (Chicago), Illinois; Harris County (Houston), Jefferson County (Birmingham), Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) and Orleans Parish (New Orleans).
Nia Robinson giving updates for Florida and Alabama
Yvonne Scruggs Leftwich reported from Florida that St. Petersburg is experiencing issues around vandalism. Car and home windows displaying Obama stickers or signs are being broken. Sheila Tyson reported from Alabama that in Birmingham lines have been long since the polls opened at 7AM. She also reported that voters who recieved thier absentee ballots after 5:00PM yesterday. They were told by poll workers that they were not allowed to cast their absentee ballots at the polling place. Sheila tried to assist the voters and sherrifs came and stopped her. She has alerted the lawyers
Nia Robinson giving updates for Florida and Alabama
Yvonne Scruggs Leftwich reported from Florida that St. Petersburg is experiencing issues around vandalism. Car and home windows displaying Obama stickers or signs are being broken. Sheila Tyson reported from Alabama that in Birmingham lines have been long since the polls opened at 7AM. She also reported that voters who recieved thier absentee ballots after 5:00PM yesterday. They were told by poll workers that they were not allowed to cast their absentee ballots at the polling place. Sheila tried to assist the voters and sherrifs came and stopped her. She has alerted the lawyers.
November 03, 2008
Heating up With No Days To Go
This election has certainly turned out to be one of the most historic elections we have on the books. For instance, the campaigns have raised record amounts of contributions and for the first time a nomination for an African-American man for the democratic spot and a femail for the Republican Vice President spot. The dynamics are historic and we just dont have to sit idly by and watch. We can vote.
With that, I voted early this morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. Although it only took me 15 minutes to vote, I stood in line since 7:00 a.m. I waited one and a half hour to be a part of the election process. In fact, this is my first time voting early or even considering it. I even slept on the floor because I simply refused to stand for 1 hour and a half. Would not you? There is no way we can miss the excitement.
With only less than a day to go, we are turning up the volume on everything we are doing. Our entire office voted early, we sent out 100,000 church fans across the country for Sunday morning worship service. Some even made Bible Study. We have knocked on thousands of doors and put door hangars on the doors reminding voters how they need to prepare to vote at polling locations and a host of other get-out-the-vote strategies.
More importantly though, is voter protection. Once we vote, we have to consider that our vote is protected. If you feel like your vote has been compromised or better yet, someone elses vote, dial our 1.866.MYVOTE1 hotline and file a complaint. This complaint gives us an opportunity to understand and strategically approach voter protection issues.
On the more positive end, I listened to Oprah today on a conference call and she mentioned that folks need to get their families out when they go to the polls tomorrow. She said, "Take someone with you." The most important thing she said though was that we need to "...celebrate the vote." Regardless for whom you vote, vote.
I will be blogging tomorrow about the issues and really would appreciate your comments. See you soon.
With that, I voted early this morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. Although it only took me 15 minutes to vote, I stood in line since 7:00 a.m. I waited one and a half hour to be a part of the election process. In fact, this is my first time voting early or even considering it. I even slept on the floor because I simply refused to stand for 1 hour and a half. Would not you? There is no way we can miss the excitement.
With only less than a day to go, we are turning up the volume on everything we are doing. Our entire office voted early, we sent out 100,000 church fans across the country for Sunday morning worship service. Some even made Bible Study. We have knocked on thousands of doors and put door hangars on the doors reminding voters how they need to prepare to vote at polling locations and a host of other get-out-the-vote strategies.
More importantly though, is voter protection. Once we vote, we have to consider that our vote is protected. If you feel like your vote has been compromised or better yet, someone elses vote, dial our 1.866.MYVOTE1 hotline and file a complaint. This complaint gives us an opportunity to understand and strategically approach voter protection issues.
On the more positive end, I listened to Oprah today on a conference call and she mentioned that folks need to get their families out when they go to the polls tomorrow. She said, "Take someone with you." The most important thing she said though was that we need to "...celebrate the vote." Regardless for whom you vote, vote.
I will be blogging tomorrow about the issues and really would appreciate your comments. See you soon.
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