This year’s Essence Fest in New Orleans was especially inspiring for us at the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable. On July 5, with the help of our partners at the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), Black Women’s Roundtable, and Black Women’s Roundtable Louisiana, we brought together leaders, advocates, and changemakers for an afternoon celebrating the power of the sister vote.
With an impressive panel of moderators and event hosts, guests were able to engage in interactive discussions about voting, explore the economic impacts of their vote, learn ways to lead and mobilize, and also peek into how younger generations are voting and participating in elections. 2024 is a presidential election year, making it all the more vital for Black women in Mississippi and beyond to step into their power and make their voices heard at the polls.
We are so grateful to our hosts, moderators, and sponsors for making this event such a powerful space for connection, learning, and lifting up the sister vote. Thanks also to everyone who participated!
Event Hosts
Melanie L. Campbell is the President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Participation and the National Convener for the Black Women’s Roundtable.
Cassandra Welchlin is the Executive Director & Co-Covener of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable.
Gwendolyn Hughes is the Convener for the Louisiana Black Women’s Roundtable.
Mistress of Ceremonies
Pamela D.C. Junior, Director Emeritus, Two Mississippi Museums, Historian, and Motivational Speaker
Inspiration
Jotaka Eaddy, Founder, #WinWithBlackWomen, Founder & CEO, Full Circle Strategies
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President & CEO, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
Special Greetings
Marc H. Morial, 59th Mayor of New Orleans, Chairman of the Board, National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Urban League
Erica Loewe, Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Public Engagement
Partner Greetings
Mikhiela Sherrod, Ph.D., Director, US Domestic Program, Oxfam
Joi Owens Norwood, Esq., Program Officer, W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Tanya Lombard, VP, Global & External Affairs, Head of Strategic Alliances, AT&T
Nsombi Lambright-Haynes, Executive Director, One Voice
Moderators
Angela Rye, Principal/CEO IMPACT Strategies and Host, Native Land Pod.
Tiffany Cross, T.V. host, Journalist, and Author of Say It Louder.
Panelists
Helen Young Butler, Executive Director, Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda/Convener, GA Black Women’s Roundtable
Kimberle’ W. Crenshaw, PhD., Co-Founder & ED African American Policy Forum, Host of Intersectionality Matters, Professor at Columbia Law School & UCLA Law School
Letetia Jackson, Convener, South Alabama BWR, President & CEO, Tandeka LLC
Monica Simpson, Executive Director, Sister Song
Bishop Leah Daughtry, Founder & Co-Convenor, Power Rising
Commissioner Sheila Tyson, Convener, Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation/AL BWR
Tameka Ramsey, Convener, Michigan Black Women’s Roundtable, Michigan Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Founder, T. Ramsey & Associates
Angele Wilson, Senior Director, ERP Resources, Inc.
Christal M. Jackson, Founder, Mosaic Genius
Aleshia Young, BYV Ambassador, MS
Moriah Bateast, Member, Terrebonne Parish NAACP Youth Council
Kiersten Hawkins, BYV Ambassador, MS
Kalyn Washington, State Coordinator, Alabama BYV
Mary-Pat Hector, State Coordinator, Georgia Black Youth Vote, CEO of Rise Free, Founder of Equity for All, Inc.
Keturah Butler-Reed, Co-Convener, Louisiana Black Women’s Roundtable; LA Regional Organizer, Black Voters Matter
Illai Kenney, Managing Director, HBCU Green Fund, Black Youth Vote Alumni
Joi Chaney, Senior Policy Advisor, NCBCP/BWR, Founder, J.O.I. Strategies
Gwendolyn Hughes, Convener, Louisiana Black Women’s Roundtable, Louisiana Unity Coalition
Gallery
