The Student Justice Alliance (SJA) hosted the “Your Voice Your Power” event to encourage students to use their voting power in the Student Union the evening of Monday, March 10.
SJA Vice President Jada Pittman said, “SJA specializes in providing a space for people to make sure their voices are heard.”
Guest speakers NAACP Kansas City President Steve Ricard and BLAQUE KC Chief of Staff Sabrina Dowdy led the discussion with topics of voting history, knowledge and advice.
“What we really are focusing on is utilizing the power that you [UMKC students] do have to make the change that you want,” said UMKC senior in Business Administration Pittman. “There is always a place for you to find comfort in using your voice.”
During the discussion, SJA officers expressed their concerns on balancing voting knowledge with the information overload they experience from social media. Dowdy and Ricard advised students to be more selective with their information resources.
“My hope is that instead of waiting for someone to tell us, we actively seek out information,” said Dowdy. “Knowledge and engagement should be proactive, not reactive.”
Moderated by UMKC alum Kayla Pittman, Dowdy and Ricard also centered the discussion around the significance of the youth vote and the impact it can have in elections.
“We understand that many young people feel disconnected, believing their votes and voices don’t truly impact the political landscape,” said Dowdy.
BLAQUE KC and its initiative BLAQUE VOTE are dedicated to potential voters and “fostering a deep sense of civic duty,” said Dowdy. BLAQUE VOTE is focused especially on encouraging the younger generation to vote.
“It’s vital that students understand the power of their vote and the impact it can have,” said Dowdy. “This generation is a beacon of hope for true, authentic representation in office, and their engagement holds the potential to drive real change.”
hs4b7@umsystem.edu
