#TalkRadio – December 24: Success Stories the Mass Media Missed: The Power of Young Black Voting Rights Organizers in 2024

SPEAKERS:

Eldric Coleman: 11:00 AM – 11:57 AM Central Time (12:00 PM – 12:57 PM ET)
Transformative Justice Coalition-certified Voting Rights Advocate & Fellow, Sept. 2024 Class; Eldric Coleman is a dedicated advocate for social justice and community empowerment, currently serving as the President of the NAACP Alabama Youth and College Division and an Associate Justice of the Student Government Association (SGA). A two-time State of Alabama NAACP Youth & College Division President, Eldric has been recognized with the NAACP Trailblazer Award for his impactful work in advancing civil rights. Recently, Eldric registered over 1,000 voters for the upcoming November elections, demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement and political empowerment. His advocacy efforts are further supported by his roles as a Democracy Fellow, TJC Coalition Fellow, and his involvement in environmental and healthcare initiatives. Eldric’s leadership continues to inspire and mobilize others to drive positive change. He is also working on TJC’s national “lI’ll Rise and Vote” Voter Activation and GOTV Concert Series

Ja’Nise Gentry: 11:00 AM – 11:57 AM Central Time (12:00 PM – 12:57 PM ET)
Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Fellow and Freedom Rider, Class of Sept. 2022, from Birmingham, AL. She has been on 7 activations with TJC since 2022. She has always been passionate about voting rights and social justice. This has even led her to advocate for the rights of black and brown Millennials and Gen Z through her music. She loves to tell our rich history through the voice of her cello. Her work with TJC has also enabled her to gain her current role with Woke Vote, as the Alabama Interim State Director, promoting civic engagement and mobilization amongst black and brown people. Ja’Nise has said that because of TJC she has met prominent leaders and had experiences that she would not otherwise have had.

INTRODUCTION:

Hi Igniters For Change! The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central Time), entitled “Success Stories the Mass Media Missed: The Power of Young Black Voting Rights Organizers in 2024”, will be live with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and special guests Ja’Nise Gentry and Eldric Coleman to talk about how much get out the vote work was done by African American young people for the recent election, such as voter registration and on-the-ground organizing efforts. Why is this not known and not talked about by anybody? These actions should be uplifted, elevated, encouraged, and further invested in. For example, CD2 – the new majority-Black district in Alabama that was created after several years of litigation for racial gerrymandering by the AL State Legislature- was characterized by great organizing and considerable registration, voter education, voter mobilization, and voter turnout done by young people once the primary was over which helped an African American candidate, Shomari Figures, be elected for the first time to represent this district with 54.6% of the vote, marking the first time Alabama will have two African American congressional representatives in modern history. People thought it would be impossible to mobilize African American voters to turn out in significant numbers to vote for an African American candidate since the district was made only in 2023 and with so many who entered the field, especially with “glitches” sending out the wrong voter information and deceptive practice campaigns calling and telling voters to vote on the wrong day during the primary (read more: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/05/mapping-issue-causes-district-2-voters-in-montgomery-to-get-wrong-info/72853664007/ ).

Both of our guests were highly involved in organizing African American students and young people in educating voters and mobilizing voters to register and turn out for this election. This show will explore their experiences and the lessons they have learned. We will examine their views on African-American youth and the vote. We will also delve into why the media has not covered the amazing work done by Black Gen Z organizers in 2024.

QUESTIONS:

• How did you become involved in organizing for the 2024 elections and where do you focus your work on?
• What were your greatest lessons learned from organizing for this election?
• Of the many activities you were engaged in, what do you feel was your most successful ones?
• You are both TJC Alumni. How do you think your training helped you in your organizing efforts?
• What tactics did you use to outreach to voters, especially young voters?
• What would have helped you to have even more success in what you accomplished? (funding, communications assistance, etc)
• What new skills do you think you gained from being involved in organizing in this election?
• We know that a number of young people ran for office that you know. What were some of the results?
• What do you think about voter registration being up 175% among young Black women, according to data reported by CBS News on August 30th, 2024?
• What has the sentiment been among your peers post-election? (Are people discouraged, ready to fight again, etc)
• What are your goals in 2025 and for the midterm elections?
• How can our listeners get involved? 
• What are your one-minute final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?

[TJC will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all Americans and will fight the implementation of Project 2025 and our future shows will continue to cover any hate crimes and how we effectively protect ourselves while advancing our agenda for justice.]

[Daryl and Barbara may share their favorite books and encourage people to donate towards TJC’s giveaways of banned books.]