The State of Young Black Voters Conference

For college‑aged changemakers (18–30): rewriting the rules of civic engagement, one panel, one action, one vote at a time.
About this Event

Mission:

An interactive, multi-panel conference that centers and elevates the voices of young Black New York voters as they navigate today’s political climate. We will explore what civic engagement & organizing looks like in our communities and highlight the power young black voters hold at all levels of civic power.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Doors Open

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Beyond the Ballot: Understanding the Offices That Impact Your Daily Life | Moderator Harper, Thea

The goal of this session is to dive into the world behind your city’s pulse. Whether you’ve ever wondered who decides where parks go, how budgets get approved, or who signs off on your favorite festivals, this session decodes every key role that keeps the city running. You’ll see how each position shapes policy, manages resources, and tackles challenges from transportation to housing. Straightforward conversations about their jobs - no jargon, no campaigning, just real talk.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Young Black Men and the Vote

Young Black men are a politically diverse and engaged demographic who strongly value democracy, yet they're frequently mischaracterized as apathetic or uniformly loyal to a single party. That engagement, however, hasn't translated into strong turnout in midterm or local elections. This panel explores the gap between civic values and ballot-box participation, and what it means for how this demographic is understood.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Voices to Votes, Turning Digital Influence into Civic Action | Moderator Cameron Trimble

Step into the digital arena where tomorrow’s leaders are born. In “Voices to Votes: Turning Digital Influence into Civic Action,” you’ll discover how a new wave of young change-makers harness social media, storytelling, and community data to shape public discourse and turn online buzz into offline ballots. This high-energy session blends real-world case studies with hands-on tactics so you can amplify your message, mobilize communities, and drive measurable civic impact.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Interactive Civic Workshop: Building Knowledge, Skills, and Community Power