On this episode, host Jenn Watts interviews youth vote experts and a Generation Z candidate. How do we mobilize this new voting power? What issues do Generation Z care about and what will it take for them to cast a vote for the 2024 presidential election? Jenn interviews the following individuals to help listeners come to their own conclusions and get involved: Kwesi Chappin, Founder & President, Chappin Consulting. Kwesi Chappin is a community organizer based in Cheverly, Maryland. On a mission to create tangible change for Black folks, he teaches others how to turn their apathy into anger and hold elected officials accountable. He believes that when Black folks are treated like soccer moms by the political establishment, they'll get the resources and attention needed to win. In all of his endeavors, Kwesi takes a holistic and humans-first approach to organizing: meeting people and communities where they're at and listening to their needs in an authentic, respectful way. One of his former colleagues said, "it's like magic" when Kwesi is in the room. But it's easy to be in the community if you listen. Then, blending his knowledge with the community's, he equips people with the skills and tools to organize on their own. Most recently, Kwesi worked at the online racial justice organization, Color Of Change. As Senior Political Director, he was instrumental in moving the membership base beyond clicking petitions into deeper engagement both online and offline and kicking terrible district attorneys out of office. In 2007, Kwesi's life changed when he joined the Obama campaign. As an organizer, he launched Cleveland's first successful presidential volunteer program, where he mobilized the city's residents to knock on their neighbor's doors instead of bringing in paid outsiders. From there, he served as Training Director at the New Organizing Institute. Next, he created the Black Roots New Media Bootcamp, the first-ever digital strategy training program for people of color, before returning to the Obama campaign in 2012. After that, he was in charge of statewide volunteer coordination and managing paid canvassers in Ohio, ensuring the state stayed blue. Meg Hovious, (she/they) is a campaign advisor and mental health advocate committed to reimagining workspaces and culture. With a career in democratic politics and training in organizational design and cognitive psychology, Meg recently launched a boutique consultancy committed to changing minds about culture and mental health. Here is a unique collective of behavioral experts, organizational designers, mental health advocates, and educators making an impact at work, schools, and in community by increasing mental health literacy and advocating for better conditions for all. Meg has previously served as Chief People Officer on Pete Buttigieg’s presidential primary campaign and as an advisor for Senator Mark Kelly’s reelection campaign. Nick Roberts, Nick Roberts is a 22-year old candidate for Indianapolis City County Council District 4 to represent Castleton and Geist. After 7 years of community and political involvement, he is running for Council to advocate for investing in mental health programs, better infrastructure and stronger public safety.
