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Find Your State

The Common Cause Student Action Alliance helps to build the next generation of democracy leaders through advancing their advocacy skills, leadership skills, and civic education. We equip students with the tools and hands-on training they need to hold power accountable on their campus, in their community, and beyond. Participation in the Student Action Alliance expands their network of mentors and peers, and moves them up the ladder of civic engagement, leading to additional future impact in their career or as a volunteer.

My Voice, My Art, Our Cause

Winners Announced!

This summer, the My Voice, My Art, our Cause Artivism Contest encouraged youth artivists to raise their voices on democracy issues through their creativity. Each piece of art was submitted by a young artivist and reflects their perspective of the change we need to see for them to live in a country that reflects their values.

 

Writing for a Just World

This collection of youth essays are the ideas that will challenge leaders of today to do what needs to be done to strengthen the people’s voice in our democracy, or step aside. These are the voices ready to fill the halls of power with chants, quiet lobbying, and by running and winning office themselves. This anthology also features some of the creative pieces put together by our Artivism Contest winners!

Meet the Team!

Alyssa Canty
National Director of Youth Programs
Franecia Moore
National Youth Programs Coordinator
Cierra Franklin
Program Engagement Organizer - Georgia
Morgan Drayton
Policy & Engagement Manager - Maryland
Michael Spencer
College Outreach Program Manager - North Carolina
Vashti Hinton-Smith
College Outreach Coordinator - North Carolina

Common Cause
2021-2022 Davis Democracy Fellows

Georgia

Christina Williams
Clark Atlanta University - Senior

“I want to be a Common Cause fellow because I'm passionate about increasing civic engagement in my community, and I knew that the fellowship would provide me with the training, resources, and network to get there.”

Janiah Henry
Clark Atlanta University - Junior

“I am a fellow because I care about deconstructing the ideas of the oppressed that make them disengage in voting. Voting is the language our government understands and we have to teach others to speak that language.”

Sophia Parker
Spelman College - Junior

“I aspire to work in politics one day and Common Cause is laying the groundwork for equal access to adequate information regarding voting and the government. I am a sponge and I love learning so I am excited to learn.”

Maryland

I'Dreamer McCaffity
Coppin State University - Senior

“I am a Common Cause fellow to spread education and awareness within Baltimore and surrounding communities. Also, to become a member of a team whose main focus is to initiate change for a brighter future.”

Mykayla Davis
Coppin State University - Sophomore

“Having an equitable democracy depends on the leadership of my generation. I believe that it is important for us to start talking about social issues so that we can begin to work collectively for change.”

Niyah Norton
Bowie State University - Sophomore

“I want to be a Common Cause fellow to encourage my peers to use their voice. I hope to spread awareness on political issues and increase political participation on my campus.”

Rondez Green
Bowie State University - Junior

“I am interested in developing civics education and engagement because the denial of political representation continues to haunt the United States of America to the detriment of American democracy.”

Mississippi

Andrea Boykin
University of Southern Mississippi - Senior

“I want to be a common cause fellow to learn more about the different ways politics are affecting us in Mississippi as well as in other states. I also want to be able to share this new knowledge with my peers.”

Briana Burton
University of Southern Mississippi - Senior

“I want to be a Common Cause fellow because I want to do all I can to actively learn and act on improving or maintaining stability of local education, political outreach, and voting.”

Jessica Ross
Jackson State University - Junior

“The systemic injustices African-American people face in this country is unbearable to think about. This concerns me for my generation and others to come. It is our votes that can help make the changes we need.”

Matty Cafiero
Millsaps College - Senior

“I am really interested in getting more students involved through increasing voter participation and education on my campus and in my community.”

North Carolina

Ahmayah Smith
Winston Salem State University - Senior

“I believe that being active is key and we should educate ourselves about policies and how they affect us. By staying active, students can make a difference and help address the inequalities we face.”

Charles Carter
Fayetteville State University - Senior

“I wanted to learn more about public policy & advocacy. Upon graduation, I intend to teach High School English in my hometown while working in my community to help make things better.”

Charlie Collins
Livingstone College - Junior

“I decided to be a fellow to help my peers see the importance in using their voice. I believe that voting will help me and my Black peers have the same chance as our white counterparts.”

De'Ja Bunyan
North Carolina Central University - Senior

“I want to be a Common Cause fellow because I saw the amazing work that was being done on my campus and I wanted to use my skills to help further Common Cause’s mission.”

Denarra Kimble
Elizabeth City State University - Junior

“Voting is important to me because it gives everyone a chance to use their voice. Voting is our chance to pick a leader who represents our personal views & will make the changes we need.”

Jacob Richardson
North Carolina A&T University - Senior

“I am a Common Cause fellow because I wanted to dedicate my time to my community and thought that getting other young people civically engaged was a great way to do it.”

Jalen Robinson
Livingstone College - Sophomore

“I want to be a civic leader on my campus because student’s voting rights are under attack and I want my peers to see that everybody has a right to stand their ground and use their voice at the polls.”

Jameliah Pinder
Shaw University - Junior

“It is easy for young voters to be ignored by politicians, but through my fellowship Common Cause allows me to redefine democracy by expressing my thoughts on current and trending issues.”

Mackeyla Davis
St. Augustine's University - Sophomore

“I am a Democracy Fellow because I enjoy talking about politics and really wanted to learn more about issues in my community.”

Marcia Bailey
Bennett College - Senior

“I am a fellow because it is important for our generation to be active participants in democracy. In order for us to see change, we must take action and be the change future generations need.”

Nijah Williams
North Carolina A&T University - Senior

“Common Cause gives me a way to further express my passion for politics and government and combines that with doing the right thing as well.”

Rheyann Kirby
North Carolina Central University - Sophomore

“I want to be a Common Cause fellow because I support the mission of Common Cause to strengthen our democracy. I also want to become a more active leader on campus, and this is an amazing opportunity to do so.”

Ryan Shaw
Winston Salem State University - Junior

“I am a fellow because students need to understand what is happening politically and understand their rights on how to address the issues they see in their communities.”

Sainey Ndure
Johnson C. Smith University - Senior

“I am a Common Cause fellow to help motivate my fellow students to vote. It is important for students to vote because that is a way students can share their opinions on the issues that affect them and their community.”

Vanessa Ward
Fayetteville State University - Junior

“I am a fellow because I want to be a part of democracy reform as well get students on my campus involved with the politics that directly affect them!”

Virginia

Kamryn Witherspoon
Virginia State University - Junior

“I became a fellow because I want to persuade others to vote responsibly. The actions of my peers determine the future. If we are not active participants, we are relinquishing our control to a quality way of life.”

Tileah Robinson
Virginia State University - Junior

“One of the reasons I wanted to be a Common Cause Fellow was because I wanted to spread the importance of voting, and while doing that learn more about my rights as a voter.”

Yousif Omer
Virginia State University - Sophomore

“I want to make a difference and inform my peers on campus. It is important for us to be active participants in democracy because we play an important role in making critical changes in our society.”

Common Cause
Davis Democracy Fellowship Alumni

Class of 2020-2021

Georgia

Dalvin Jordan
Democracy Fellow - Morehouse College

"As a youth member of Common Cause we are the future of the country and it is our job to make sure we provide the civic tools our family, friends, and peers need so that they can have confidence in our democracy when they go to the ballot box."

Elyce Jarvis-Billops
Democracy Fellow - Clark Atlanta University

“I wanted to join Common Cause because I am very interested in knowing what policies will affect me and having a voice to speak out on them. I believe us younger people have the power to voice our opinions and change what we need to adjust in our society.”

Imani Bennett
Democracy Fellow - Spelman College

"I chose to be a Davis Fellow because I am passionate about empowering my peers' voices in aims to further tear down oppressive systems. Students must be active participants in democracy because the social, economic, and political decisions are more likely to have a stronger impact on students’ daily lives and near future."

Maryland

Shiloh Cumber
Democracy Fellow - Morgan State University

“I wanted to be a Common Cause fellow because I like to learn and use my skills to help others in a political climate.”

Johnathan Gorum
Democracy Fellow - Bowie State University

“I am a Common Cause fellow because I am interested in learning more about civic engagement culture and helping my peers in my community."

Taraja Lawery
Democracy Fellow - Coppin State University

“Baltimore has a great need for voter registration and information. Due to being an underfunded city, representation is a dire need.”

Chelsea Okoroh
Democracy Fellow - Bowie State University

“I wanted to be a Common Cause fellow because I love to advocate and create change within any environment I step into."

Autumn Wardlaw
Democracy Fellow - Coppin State University

“I want to be a Common Cause fellow so I can encourage communities to be involved in current events circling politics.”

Mississippi

Andrea Boykin
Democracy Fellow - University of Southern Mississippi

“I wanted to be a Common Cause fellow to learn more about policy, voting, and rights. I want to share this knowledge on micro and macro levels to improve the circumstances of those in my community.”

Briana Burton
Democracy Fellow - University of Southern Mississippi

“As a fellow I want to spread knowledge about political processes, as well as, learn more for my future in Social Work. I want to pursue a career in social work policy, I need to start with the changes I can make in my community.”

Kaelyn Conley
Democracy Fellow - Jackson State University

“Recognizing the collective power that we do have to improve the quality of life in our own communities as well as identifying and championing the causes that are most critical to us.”

Andrew Devall
Democracy Fellow - Millsaps College
Thandi Moses
Democracy Fellow - Rust College

“I became a Democracy fellow because I want to make an impact in my community and be a role model to those who are younger than me, on the importance of civic engagement.”

North Carolina

Jazmyne Abney
Democracy Fellow - North Carolina Central University

“I became a Democracy fellow because I enjoy encouraging my peers to exercise their right to vote and remain involved in our democracy.”

Ashley King
Democracy Fellow - Bennett College

“I became a Common Cause fellow to spread political awareness around my campus.”

Sainey Ndure
Democracy Fellow - Johnson C. Smith University

“I became a Common Cause fellow to help motivate my fellow students to vote”

Marcus Ponder
Democracy Fellow - Winston Salem State University

“I became a Common Cause Fellow to do my role of informing my peers on and off campus about the vitalness of voting, knowing deadlines and the candidates.”

Jacob Richardson
Democracy Fellow - North Carolina A&T University

“I wanted to become a common cause fellow because I wanted to dedicate my time to my community and getting other young people civically engaged was a great way to do it.”

Jalen Robinson
Democracy Fellow - Livingstone College

“I joined Common Cause to increase my impact in my community so I could help improve the voting process, build better relationships with people, and build a better democracy.”

Fatima Rodriguez Caba
Democracy Fellow - Winston Salem State University

“I wanted to join Common Cause to educate and advocate for the students on my campus’s tights and access to voting.”

Vanessa Ward
Democracy Fellow - Fayetteville State University

“I became a Common Cause fellow because I wanted to bring awareness to my community and have a impact on colleges in terms of voting and education about our democracy.”

Nijah Williams
Democracy Fellow - North Carolina A&T University

“I wanted to be a Common Cause fellow because I knew it would give me an opportunity to push my passion for politics and advocacy to the next level.”

Denarra Kimble
Democracy Fellow - Elizabeth City State University

"Voting is important to me because it gives everyone a chance to voice their opinions. Voting is essential because we get a chance to pick a future leader who fits best under our personal views & will make the best change."

Virginia

Kamryn Witherspoon
Democracy Fellow - Virginia State University

“Seeing how crucial this election is, I became a Common Cause fellow because I wanted to ensure that I put in all of my efforts to persuade others to vote responsibly.”

 Class of 2019 – 2020

North Carolina

Kylah Guion
Democracy Fellow - NC A&T State University

“I want to dedicate intentional time to strengthening the political and civic engagement culture on campus.”

Celeste Cornelius
Democracy Fellow - NC A&T State University

“Our campus is too big and too powerful for us not to make a large impact on policies and laws.”

Jazmyne Abney
Democracy Fellow - NC Central University

“I am a Common Cause fellow because I want to influence policy through lobbying and activism. I enjoy being able to educate and engage my peers.”

Jaden Peay
Democracy Fellow - NC Central University

“I want to do civic engagement work to educate my community and empower them through the political system.”

Kristian Carlyle
Democracy Fellow - Fayetteville State University

“I am a Common Cause fellow so that I can encourage civic education and student engagement on my campus because education is necessary for progress.”

Marcus Ponder
Democracy Fellow - Winston-Salem State University

“I am a Common Cause fellow to help inform and educate people in lower income areas about the importance of voting, participating in the census and being informed on the current political climate”

Martina Clay
Democracy Fellow - Winston-Salem State University

“Students on my campus are not always aware or informed about the elections so I became a fellow to educate students and engage students in the political process.”

Charles White
Democracy Fellow - Livingstone College:

“I want to be able to help grow others through leadership and politics.”

Ashley King
Democracy Fellow - Bennett College:

“I want to do civic engagement work on my campus so that my sisters have the opportunity to do meaningful service in their communities.”

DeQuan Isom
Democracy Fellow - Shaw University:

“Civic engagement, service to others and the importance of community has been instilled in me from a young age. Being a Common Cause HBCU fellow provides me with the education and tools to effectively serve others and my community.”

Mackeyla Davis Urbina
Democracy Fellow - St. Augustine’s University

“I am a Common Cause fellow because I want to get my peers active in voting whether it is a local election or presidential election. I want them to know every election is important.”

Jeremee Jeter
Democracy Fellow - St. Augustine’s University

“I am a Common Cause Fellow because I want to make change in my community on the local and national levels”

Javon Moses
Democracy Fellow - St. Augustine’s University

“I am a common cause fellow because it is a way for me to get in touch with both my university and community on a deeper level. Simply attending my university is not enough. I feel like I’m here to make an impact.”

Georgia

Dieudonńe Mundy
Democracy Fellow - Spelman College

“I am a Davis fellow because I am passionate about many political issues like supportive health care, reducing recidivism, affordable housing, and advocating for marginalized groups. I strive to work in fields that are integral to improving the lives of everyone.”

Shelby Lewis
Democracy Fellow - Spelman College

“I am a Davis fellow because I want to get America’s youth more involved and knowledgeable of the political process. I want to close the gap in between black youth and their representatives.”

Kimani Carter
Democracy Fellow - Morehouse College

“I am a Davis fellow because I believe we have to work the system to make the system work for us.”

Maryland

Autumn Wardlaw
Democracy Fellow - Coppin State University

“I’m a Davis Fellow because I want to change the idea of voting and the importance of politics in communities of color.”

Taraja Lawery
Democracy Fellow - Coppin State University

“I’m a Davis Fellow because I believe the accessibility of information is the first step into improving life for everyone.”

Mississippi

Jessica Trotter
Democracy Fellow - Jackson State University

“I am a Davis fellow because it is important for students to have access to information about voting and local candidates.”

Brian Beck
Democracy Fellow -University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg)

“I am a Davis fellow because I believe you only have a voice if you allow others to hear it.”

Tiffany Cole
Democracy Fellow - University of Southern Mississippi (Gulf Coast)

“I became a Davis fellow to help the students in my department see the connections between social work and engaging in politics.”

Brenna Macnamera
Democracy Fellow - Millsaps College

“I am a Davis fellow because I want students to understand how important voting is on her our voice can change the world.”

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