NAACP Youth and College Hosts Black Millennial Roundtable at CBC ALC 19.

Sep 13, 2019

On Thursday, September 12, the NAACP Youth and College hosted a Black Millennial Roundtable Discussion titled The Millennial Awakening: Developing a Domestic and Social Equity Agenda. Our Youth and College team called on millennials to develop policy agendas that serve the interest of young voters, creates a system of political accountability and participation, and examine legislative measures that stand to shape the future of American politics.

Millennials are empowered by information, transparency, and authenticity. However, low turnout among young voters has limited the impact of this shift in demographics and created a serious question about a generational political agenda. Moderated by Phillip Agnew, eight panelists teamed together to answer questions on everything from reparations to voter suppression. 

Panelists included

  • Raychelle Tasher, Esq. Restructuring Associate, Kirkland & Ellis — Creator: Young Black and Lawyered Group 
  • Richard Scott Brookshire, Creator: Black Veterans Project, Co-creator: Reparations Podcast 
  • Ravi K. Perry, Ph.D., Chair of Political Science, Howard University. 
  • Cirilo R. Manego III, CIO, and Director of Digital Advocacy, Black With No Chaser
  • Waikinya Clanton, Senior Advisor, Chair at Democratic National Committee 
  • Ray B. Shackelford, President National Urban League Young Professionals 
  • Jamal Watkins, Vice President of Civic Engagement at the NAACP 
  • The Honorable Dawn Butler, MP: UK Shadow Minister for Equality

Attendees were able to ask questions and have their opinions heard. NAACP National Youth Works Committee Chairwoman Kyra Mitchell said “I throughly enjoyed hearing everything the panelists had to say, especially what Waikinya Clanton said about our work not being centered in our buildings, but in our communities. We must do relational organizing and meet people where they are.”

The panel was co-hosted by our friends at the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC), National Action Network (NAN), and the National Urban League at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference (CBC ALC).

After a spirited and engaging discussion, attendees were encouraged to keep the conversation going. “ You can’t do epic things with people who do not have an epic mindset. If you feel like the people you surround yourself with are stagnant,  you need to change your circle. Get with the people who you need to get with so you can push a winning agenda for our community,” said Jamal Watkins, NAACP Vice President of Civic Engagement. 

To stay updated on all things NAACP Youth and College follow us on instagram @naacp_yc. 

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here.