GOOD NEWS: Alabama’s new congressional map now includes two Black-opportunity districts.
Previously, Alabama’s congressional map was struck down for violating the Voting Rights Act diluting the voting power of Black Alabamians. Despite Black Alabamians making up 27% of the state’s population, only one of the state’s seven congressional seats regularly went to a candidate preferred by Black voters.
Join @whenweallvote, the American Association of People with Disabilities’ REV UP Voting Campaign, and The Whole Person to ask questions about the upcoming midterm elections, how you can register to vote, and all you need to know about Election Day.
September 12-16, 2022 is Disability Voting Rights Week, a time for advocates and communities to build the power of the disability vote through voter registration, voter education, community engagement, and more! The disability community is one of the largest voting blocs in the country, with over 38 million eligible voters with disabilities in 2020. The community also faces access barriers at the ballot box: only 17.7 million voters of the 38 million eligible voted in 2020. This September 16th, get your questions answered about the intersection of voting and the disability community and how to make voting more accessible to disabled folks.
What are you waiting for, Tumblr? Ask them a question, and head over here to see their answers. 🗳️Don’t forget to get registered to vote (HERE)🗳️!
MEET THE PANEL
Priestley M. Johnson (She/Her), Director of Strategic Community Partnerships, When We All Vote
Priestley M. Johnson the Director of Strategic Community Partnerships and is responsible for When We All Vote’s partnership program that delivers voter registration tools and resources to hundreds of partners across the nation. Ms. Johnson is a passionate advocate and avid relationship builder dedicated to using her skill set of strategic partnerships, project management, business development, and event planning. With previous experience in the Obama White House and the International Women’s Forum, Priestley is passionate about advocating for more resources for those in need and building capacity through fundraising. A proud Howard alumna, Johnson is committed to moving the needle.
Lilian Aluri (She/Her), REV UP Voting Campaign Coordinator
Lilian Aluri started off interning at AAPD in the summer of 2020, as a NYU VOTE 2020 Fellow, getting out the disability vote in the 2020 elections. Lilian then began a contract with AAPD and has since been working together with the REV UP team to continue to build the power of the disability vote, research voting accessibility issues, and also support AAPD’s broader advocacy. In her current role as the REV UP Voting Campaign Coordinator, Lilian supports the national REV UP network, facilitating trainings and webinars, convening the advisory committee, organizing national voting initiatives and collaborating with REV UP organizers to advance the power of the disability vote. Lilian also manages AAPD’s blog and a weekly email digest highlighting disability in the news.
As the older sister of a young man with Down syndrome and as someone with some mental health disabilities, Lilian values her role at AAPD as a chance to help create a more inclusive and just society in which all people with disabilities can thrive.
Kendra A. Burgess (She/Her), Public Policy Coordinator, The Whole Person
Kendra A. Burgess joined The Whole Person in 2019 as Public Policy Coordinator, where she currently advocates for issues impacting people with disabilities at the city, state, and federal levels of government in Kansas and Missouri.
Prior to this role, Kendra served as a congressional staffer for the Honorable U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill for several years, where she handled a portfolio of federal issues, including labor, healthcare, and housing. Additionally, she lends her voice to elevate issues impacting people with disabilities by writing opinion articles for regional news outlets, educating the public through press interviews, and collaborating with community partners to offer Diversity Equity and Inclusion Programming. Learning to thrive through her own invisibly disabilities, Kendra is a volunteer women’s health advocate by serving as the Kansas/Missouri Representative for the Worldwide EndoMarch, an organization seeking to advocate for those living with Endometriosis.
Voting rights protect every other right we hold dear. This #GivingTuesday, join the fight for voting rights by supporting When We All Vote! Every single dollar makes a difference in the fight for free and fair elections ➡️ weall.vote/givingtuesday
“Parking Lot Pimpin| On the Wrongful Conviction of Julius Jones
This Friday we get into the wrongful conviction of Julius Jones, a Black man who has been on death row in Oklahoma for 19 years for a 1999 murder that he’s always denied taking part in.
Julius will be wrongfully be put to death in SIX DAYS if we don’t take action now. 🚨
Reach out to the Governor’s office at 405-521-2342 and urge Governor Stitt to stand by the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board and grant Julius Jones clemency. Time is of the essence.
What you can say or speak from the heart:
I would like to urge Governor Stitt to stand by his own word to follow the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board and grant Julis Jones clemency. Please save Julius from wrongful execution.
RT @so.informed
- Let’s also discuss how the judge is literally messing over the Kyle Ritttendon trial. His overly chatty disposition can lead directly to an appeal if Kyle is in fact found Guilty.” - @lyneezy
TAKE ACTION NOW:
➡️ Call the Oklahoma City Governor’s office at 405-521-2342 and urge Governor Stitt to stand by the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board and grant Julius Jones clemency
➡️ Sign this petition Justice for Julius petition
➡️ Complete this form to send an e-letter to the Pardon & Parole Board.
Take action NOW!
It’s essential to understand your voting rights and what to do if you are a first-time voter. Part of this is being aware of how voter suppression is currently affecting thousands of citizens who have the right to vote. The history of voter suppression in the United States is as old as the United States.
To help spread understanding and prompt discussion, we paired with Black Girls Vote (@blackgirlsvote) to help answer your questions. @blackgirlsvote is a nonprofit, grassroots organization focused on engaging, educating and empowering women of color to leverage their voting power to transform the democratic process. Their posts will be going live today, from 12 p.m. EST to 1 p.m. EST.
Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson is the founder and CEO of Black Girls Vote. Nyki’s life and work experience, combined with her interest in politics, was birthing ground for the delivery of her biggest project yet, Black Girls Vote, Inc. As the CEO, Nyki manages fundraising, numerous community and government initiatives, and events. Nyki graduated with a degree in business administration and a minor in leadership studies.
Natasha Murphy is the Chief of Staff of Black Girls Vote. She assists the Founder and CEO with the organization’s strategic operations. Natasha earned her Master of Science in Public Health, a Health Policy degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, magna cum laude from Howard University.
Lauren Wyatt serves as Advocacy Lead for Black Girls Vote, Inc. By day, she is a corporate paralegal with a background in political science, legislative affairs, and compliance. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from Delaware State University and is currently obtaining a dual Masters of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Management and Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore.
Nia Duggins is part of the Black Girls Vote Advocacy Team. She is a policy expert, political strategist, and innovative thought leader with a broad range of experience working on many issues, including voting rights and election administration matters. Nia is a graduate of Bennett College and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Over the past 2 years, we've granted over $1 million to students across the U.S. through our 50 States, 50 Grants, 5,000 voices initiative to help make their schools more welcoming for LGBTQ+ students.
And yup - we're doing it again.
Do you have an idea that would help make your school better for LGBTQ+ students? Maybe like building...
🟣 A gender-affirming closet
🟣 Your school's first Pride parade
🟣 An LGBTQ+ mural on campus
🟣 A safe space or community garden, or
🟣 Resources for your GSA club?
See some past projects from other students here for inspo.
We know that students know what they need most at their own schools - so middle and high school students across the U.S., DC, and territories can apply now through April 1 for one of our school grants to win up to $10,000 to actually make your project a reality!
The application, FAQs, and more are all available at 50states50grants.org.
Apply now through April 1 - can't wait to see what you all come up with.
We are so proud to be supporting @itgetsbetterproject's 50 States 50 Grants initiative this year—an initiative that seeks to uplift and empower LGBTQIA+ youth in high schools and middle schools in the US, Washington DC, and US territories. If that's you, you can apply now!
Join the 50 States 50 Grants newsletter for info on webinars they're running to help with the application process!
