This month’s newsletter comes on the eve of--yes you’ve heard it before--one of the most important days of our lives. In a matter of days, the future direction of our country will be shaped by the leader we entrust with the responsibility of serving as President of the United States. That individual, whether John McCain or Barack Obama, will have the opportunity to inform legislation, shape foreign policy, make national-level nominations, and distribute monies that will invariably impact the overall quality of our lives as well as our daily activities. As we celebrate the success of another Congressional Black Caucus

Foundation Annual Legislative Conference and pause to acknowledge the contributions of young professionals as well as leaders like the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, it is imperative that we each work to ensure that everyone we know exercises his or her constitutional right to vote. Beyond simply ensuring that people have registered we encourage you to find time to volunteer and help protect the rights of others. In the words of this month’s IMPACT Leader, "We must register every last voter, verify every last voter, mobilize every last voter, protect every last voter and ensure that every last vote is counted."

IMPACT Leader: Ben Jealous,

President and CEO of the NAACP
Benjamin Todd Jealous grew up believing that there was no higher calling than to further the cause of freedom in this country and in the world. It is a mindset he inherited from his parents and grandparents. Their drive for community betterment blazed the trail for Jealous’ own deep commitment to social justice, public service and human rights activism.

 

Helpful Election Protection Information

Are you aware that in some states you can cast your ballot before November 4th? Do you know how to obtain an absentee ballot? Election Day is only a few weeks away, and hopefully all of our readers are registered to vote. The links below are provided to ensure that you are registered to vote, aware of your rights, and can inform others. You will also find information on volunteer opportunities to ensure our nation’s citizens’ rights are protected before and on Election Day.

 

A Vote That Counts

By Michele Lawrence Jawando

Lyndon B. Johnson at the signing ceremony of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 remarked, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustices and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.” Embedded within this citation is the undeniable link between one’s constitutional right to cast a ballot in relation to policies and practices that govern many aspects of our lives. As a democratic society we have placed a great emphasis on voting and ensuring that most people understand the fundamentals of American Democracy and what it means to vote.

 

38th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference--Retrospective
Lights*Action*Camera

Preview 2008: A Red Carpet Affair

This year's Preview 2008: A Red Carpet Affair was an exclusive and ultra classy affair attended by young elected officials, influential policy makers, young leaders, corporate supporters and mentors who gathered to celebrate the contributions young professionals have made to improve their communities, strategically network, and discuss events at the legislative conference. Congressman Andre Carson (IN-07) delivered welcoming remarks and BET's Jeff Johnson emceed a program celebrating the 2008 IMPACT Leaders and young professionals engaged in being agents of change in their communities both locally and abroad.

IMPACT Leader Michele Jawando, National Campaign Manager for Election Protection for People For the American Way (PFAW) Foundation was recognized for her outstanding contributions to IMPACT and its goals of leveraging the collective strengths of young professionals through fostering civic engagement, increasing knowledge in the political and legislative processes, and enhancing economic empowerment opportunities.

After a hard fought race Amelia Cobb, President of The Wright Group (TWG), a strategic health and human services consulting firm, was awarded the title 2008 IMPACT Leader of the Year. Amelia dedicated her award to her father who passed this year and served as her first example of an agent of change. The first African-American to serve as an Executive Officer of Compton Municipal Court, he spent 15 years of his professional career in the Los Angeles Municipal Court advocating for social justice issues and equality and minority employment within the criminal justice system of Los Angeles County. Evoking the essence of her father's legacy through the African proverb "when death finds you, let it find you alive" Amelia challenged all to get registered to vote and help someone else, young or old, get to the polls, know the issues, and exercise their right to vote.

Mark your calendars now as next year’s Preview is sure to be exceptional. We look forward to gathering again to celebrate during the 39th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference and being reminded that each of us can make an IMPACT upon the lives of others.

Another Successful Year for the Emerging Leaders Town Hall

Middle, and high school student groups, young and emerging professionals, community members and politicos alike gathered, in a standing-room only audience, to participate in the Second Annual Emerging Leaders Town Hall, hosted by Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02). The Evolution of Politics and Empowerment dialogue was held on Thursday, September 25, 2008 as an official part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
Welcome remarks were given by Eric Butler, Union Pacific’s Vice President and General Manager of Industrial Products. Congressman Thompson set the tone for the event by discussing the importance of the upcoming election and the need to engage in conversation about intergenerational leadership before introducing Jeff Johnson who served as the event’s moderator. Panelists included Alisha Thomas Morgan (Georgia State Representative), Isadore Hall (California State Assemblyman), Jamal Simmons (CNN Political Contributor), Sophia Nelson (XM Political Contributor), and L. Londell McMillan (Entertainment Attorney).

IMPACT Your Community

By Adwoa Ansah
Last week Women of Praize, Inc. issued a call to action to young professional organizations in the Washington, DC area to unite together and push for strong voter registration in anticipation of the October 6th voter registration deadline. IMPACT along with DC NAACP Young Adults Committee, Deltas on the Hill, Greeks on the Hill, answered the call to assist us in registering new voters in the DC area. Collectively, we mobilized a dedicated team of 20 individuals who worked to successfully register approximately 200 voters in the Northeast, Northwest and Southeast regions of the District.

This year's presidential election is a testament that the prayers, hopes, and struggles of the generations that paved the way before us are not in vain. While this nation has taken great strides towards gender, age and racial equality, it is clear that we have a long way to go. In our efforts to reach our goal, we must not forget, ignore, or fail to realize the value of engaging our communities at the most basic levels. Voter registration is only the beginning of such necessary engagement.

Adwoa Ansah is the founder and CEO of Women of Praize, Inc., a nonpartisan, interfaith forum created especially for women of color working in the political arena—state and local government, federal agencies, Capitol Hill, advocacy and media—in the DC/MD/VA area.