With midterm elections nearly a month out, what is your call to action for the communities you represent?
Rev. Dr. O. Jermaine Bego, Lead Pastor of Centerpoint Baptist Church, Northeast D.C.
“The faith community is very active as it relates to its mobilization efforts, but we need to go a step further and put that mobilization into direct action. So rallying our churches, our congregations, our denominations, and putting boots on the ground.”
Tabia Lee, Howard University NAN Chapter Founder and President Emeritus, Northwest, D.C.
“Young people aren’t simply the future of democracy — we are part of it right now. And staying engaged means more than voting. It means learning about the issues affecting our communities, attending town halls and public meetings, following legislation, connecting with elected officials, volunteering and serving in our communities, participating in peaceful advocacy, and making sure our peers have access to accurate information about how they can participate too.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott
“There’s always ways for [Black leaders] to be better. The thing that I’ve been pushing is to push the folks that you know are leading on these issues to the front. When you look at the numbers in the cities, it’s Black mayors. Black mayors should be the ones that are leading in that conversation. But also, we have to be unafraid to do what’s right, not what’s popular.”
Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Northwest D.C.
“We have to get that vote out. The Black Press is key for getting that vote out for the midterm elections. … We have to continue to fight. … We have to continue to mobilize and we have to continue to inspire people not to become disillusioned. … We need to raise up a new generation of freedom fighters, and that’s our responsibility.”
H.E. Ambassador Tiffany Lancaster, Washington, D.C.
“This is not necessarily either about right or left. What it’s about is: what do you stand on, what do you value? The power of your vote matters. People fought for this, people died for this, people bled for this. And so, what are you doing? You cannot sit home and complain about what’s not being done, but you won’t get up and go vote. You cannot complain about what’s going on, but you want to sit around and watch everybody doing their work of the press and make your opinion based upon that. What you need to do is get involved. Figure out a way that you can get involved in your local community, get involved in local politics. Remember, everything in politics is local.”
Compiled by Jada Ingleton and Micha Green
