Virtual Voter Education Summit Targets Communities Of Color

VIRGINIA/DC — Several organizations in Northern Virginia and across the D.C. area are partnering to host a virtual nonpartisan voter summit Sept. 14-18 to educate underserved communities and communities of color on topics such as voting rights and absentee voting laws.

The organizations said they are partnering on the election education effort "to reach communities that would ordinarily be looked over in voter awareness efforts and seek to encourage these communities to become active voters and politically astute citizens."

The coalition includes Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lambda Kappa Omega (LKO) Chapter of Fairfax County, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Prince William County, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Chi Beta Omega Chapter of Falls Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and the Omicron Kappa Kappa (OKK) Chapter of Reston.

"Our vision is to have record numbers of people in our community exercising their right to vote with a new passion for local, state and federal political matters," the coalition said Monday in a statement.

The virtual summit, “Your Vote, Your Voice," will be held via Zoom and is a free event for the public. The schedule of activities includes:

• Monday, Sept. 14 — Social media campaign encouraging voter registration.
• Tuesday, Sept. 15 — “Your Vote, Your Voice” panel of influencers, leaders, and activists from the Virginia, D.C. and Maryland area.
• Wednesday, Sept. 16 — “The More You Know, The More You Grow” panel discussion.
• Thursday, Sept. 17 — Get Out The Vote Virtual Mixer featuring DJ-A-Ron reminding the public of voter registration deadlines and encouraging early voting.

"Voting is where the power is. Voting can bring about change," the coalition said. "Voting is the most powerful non-violent tool we can use in a democratic society. We all, including our younger generations, have a duty to use it. These realities form the basis for the Your Voice, Your Vote Virtual Summit."