During a live panel at Howard’s School of Social Work week, political leaders Stacey Abrams and Michael Steele underscored the critical role of voting, public service and community engagement and addressed challenges faced by Black Americans.
The Sept. 17 event was part of a broader speaker series designed to empower student leadership. Hosted by Stacey Abrams and Michael Steele, the Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy, the series focuses on political engagement, economic empowerment and social justice issues impacting communities of color.
Abrams, a former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, former minority leader in the Georgia House and voting rights advocate, is heading the series after becoming the Ronald Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics at Howard.
Abrams highlighted the ongoing effects of voter suppression laws, including Senate Bill 189, which was passed in Georgia by House Republicans.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” she said. “…We have to stay vigilant to ensure that no one is left out of the voting process.”
Abrams pointed out that legislative efforts to suppress the vote have disproportionately affected marginalized communities.
“In Georgia, we’ve seen laws specifically designed to make it harder for Black and brown voters to exercise their rights,” Abrams said.
Since 2020, states have passed a plethora of laws and restrictions such as implementing new ID requirements and pressing charges to people who provide food and water to voters while waiting in line.
Abrams stressed the importance of sustained civic participation, acknowledging that while voting is not the only avenue for change, it remains one of the most powerful.
“The ballot box is where our voices are heard and our futures are shaped,” she said.
Addressing those who may be frustrated by the slow pace of American politics, Abrams highlighted that “incremental progress is still progress.”
Guest speaker Steele, former governor of Maryland and past chair of the Republican National Committee, followed with a call to action, urging young people to embrace public service.
“If you want to effect real change, you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and get involved…You cannot sit on the sidelines and expect someone else to do the work for you,” Steele said.
Steele shared his experiences as a public servant, reflecting on the valuable lessons he learned from mentors, including former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
“It’s about serving the people you represent, not the other way around,” he said. “When you serve, you’re building something bigger than yourself.”
Steele’s reflection also underscored the importance of bipartisan cooperation, particularly when in the minority.
Abrams shared her experience of facing backlash from her constituents after collaborating with Georgia House Republicans to prevent the collapse of the HOPE Scholarship program.
“[My constituents]…wanted to let the bill fall through so that we could blame it on [the Georgia Republicans] during reelection,” Abrams said.
Abrams co-sponsored the 2011 legislation that preserved the HOPE program by reducing the scholarship amount for Georgia students and funding a one percent low-interest loan program for students.
Steele used this story to pose a question to the audience.
“Who will you serve? Your interests, your people [and party] or the people?”
Both leaders agreed that education and economic opportunities are essential for empowering Black communities.
“Economic freedom starts with educational access,” Abrams said. “We need policies that link the two so that our communities can thrive long-term.”
Steele echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of corporate America in investing in young talent.
“If we want the next generation to succeed, we need to give them the tools and opportunities to do so,” Steele said.
Addressing the tools needed for success, Abrams raised concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She warned of increasing political opposition to these efforts, emphasizing that “DEI policies have been critical in advancing racial and economic justice.”
“America has been passing DEI legislation for 248 years…the 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments, [as well as] the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, are all DEI,” Abrams said, “[Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] are not just buzzwords. They are foundational to creating a more inclusive society where everyone has a fair shot.”
Steele held the same sentiments, mentioning that DEI was about “leveling the playing field”.
As the conversation shifted toward gun violence, both Abrams and Steele expressed concern about its devastating impact on communities of color.
Abrams urged the need to address gun violence, expressing that it “isn’t just about laws” but instead about “changing the conditions” that foster an environment where violence is bound to happen.
Steele double downed on Abrams statement. “We cannot ignore the fact that access to education, economic opportunities and strong community networks are all part of the solution to violence,” he said.
Misha Cornelius-Green, Abrams’ graduate assistant and a doctoral student in the department of political science, believes that events like this and the series as a whole will bring students, staff and faculty together in order to have discourse about pertinent topics that will be “at stake in this upcoming election.”
Solomon Procunier, a sophomore honors psychology major from Washington, D.C., asked the panel a question and shared that the event gave him hope when understanding the political process and looking to the upcoming 2024 election.
“There was a mutual understanding that although they were on opposite sides of the debate, they weren’t fighting…It wasn’t as heavily focused on attacking the other person but more so about presenting their policy,” Procunier said.
Payton Garcia, a sophomore honors economics major from Chicago, Illinois, found the discussion “incredibly worthwhile” and informational about the political process.
“Just hearing them talk about being nontraditional leaders,” Garcia said, “was very invigorating and gave more of a face to a name when it came to see how these people got to be where they are.”
Both Abrams and Steele underscored the importance of continued political engagement.
“The fight for justice doesn’t end after one election,” Abrams said. “Every election matters, and we must overwhelm the ballot box with our presence.”
Steele offered a similar message, urging the audience to not only vote but also to encourage their communities to do the same.
“Democracy only works when everyone’s voice is heard,” Steele said. “We have to protect that.”
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
