{"id":13965,"date":"2024-10-17T22:38:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T22:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=13965"},"modified":"2024-10-17T22:38:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T22:38:45","slug":"reinvest-toledo-voter-education-empowerment-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/17\/reinvest-toledo-voter-education-empowerment-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Reinvest Toledo Voter Education Empowerment Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"
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discussion panel, Crystal Taylor, Petee Talley, Kara Jennings and Laure Hammon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Tricia Hall<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy job is to make sure that the door is open,\u201d said Amelia Gibbon, Reinvest Toledo executive director. \u201cYes, voting is important, but conversations are also important.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Reinvest Toledo presents Power Tour Unlock Your Vote.\u2019<\/p>\n

Once the audience entered the room, walls of visual art welcomed them to the live performance area. \u201cWe organized a call for visual artists. There are protest posters from Toledo\u2019s youth and even voter turnout statistics,\u201d said Shardae Moss, artistic director. \u201cVoting is our superpower.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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, \u00a0host Rob Pasker facilitated a discussion on how voting can improve neighborhoods. The panel included: Kara Jennings, JD.; Petee Talley; Crystal Taylor and Laure Hammond.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure we lean in this election because our vote matters. Sometimes we need to know what\u2019s on the ballot to motivate voters,\u201d shared Talley during the October 12 discussion.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you lack equitable access to food, housing, education, etc., that\u2019s your reason to vote,\u201d addedd Taylor.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Power Tour Community Partners are: League of Women Voters, UnBounded and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Iota Theta Sigma Chapter of Toledo.<\/p>\n

Power Tour was funded by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation\u2019s Equity & Access Initiative.<\/p>\n