By Tricia Hall
The Truth Reporter
Reinvest Toledo filled the historic Collingwood Arts Center for four weeks in September 2024 and October 2024 to empower and educator voters from low turnout zip codes.
“My job is to make sure that the door is open,” said Amelia Gibbon, Reinvest Toledo executive director. “Yes, voting is important, but conversations are also important.”
The show featured a new weekly host, an original documentary, spoken artists and vocalists that expressed emotions about voter-related topics, closed nightly with a discussion panel. The show was titled ‘Reinvest Toledo presents Power Tour Unlock Your Vote.’
Once the audience entered the room, walls of visual art welcomed them to the live performance area. “We organized a call for visual artists. There are protest posters from Toledo’s youth and even voter turnout statistics,” said Shardae Moss, artistic director. “Voting is our superpower.”
The Power Tour organized four shows. On September 22 host Montrice Terry, facilitated a discussion about bridging the age gap. The panel included: Joe Sparks, Jocelyn Prater, Charlotte Lawson, Maddie Cooper, LaToya Williams and Manuel Mathis. On September 28 host Lexi Hayman-Staples facilitated a discussion on how voting impacts the queer community. The panel included: Rory McLin, Steve Reamey, Savanna Lutchey and Taren Lutchey.
On October 6, host Morgan Harper led a discussion on how current events can impact voting. That panel included: Councilwoman Brittany Jones, PhD.; Matthew Smith, Jr.; Coleena Ali; Sommer Clayborne and Chris Matthews. And on October 12, host Rob Pasker facilitated a discussion on how voting can improve neighborhoods. The panel included: Kara Jennings, JD.; Petee Talley; Crystal Taylor and Laure Hammond.
“Make sure we lean in this election because our vote matters. Sometimes we need to know what’s on the ballot to motivate voters,” shared Talley during the October 12 discussion.
“If you lack equitable access to food, housing, education, etc., that’s your reason to vote,” addedd Taylor.
Power Tour team includes: Amelia Gibbon; Shardae Moss; DJ SuperNathan, music; Demetria Caldwell, KJ Cooper, Maddie Cooper, Hannah Depp, Saniya Marsenburg, Trayvon Marsenburg, Shai Tucker, Nicholas Stewart, Sandra Rivers-Gill, Jodie Summers. Visual artists are: Andre Matthews, show photographer, Sandra Gill, Jodie Summers and Joe Sparks. Spoken Word artists: LaToya Williams and LaMarsheo Martin. Documentary production team Lead Max Pros and documentary composer Zaniel Williams.
Power Tour Community Partners are: League of Women Voters, UnBounded and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Iota Theta Sigma Chapter of Toledo.
Power Tour was funded by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation’s Equity & Access Initiative.
