Make The Right Influence

As we begin our fourth week as Democracy NC Summer interns, it is important for us to reflect on all that we have accomplished. I think it is safe to say that this program/organization/internship has given all of us an opportunity to create social change that we might not have been able to achieve otherwise. We have been able to meet influential and important people in many different communities, we have been able to help the elderly who need a way to voice their opinions and needs, but most importantly we have helped to educate the citizens of this state of some important, vital issues.

This week we traveled back to Surry County to speak with the director of voter registration and a history professor on Surry Community College campus. Even though they both said that Surry Community had hosted several successful drives on campus before, they were willing to accept our campus GOTV campaign packets and our Respect Our Vote flyers. On Tuesday Khadijah made another trip back to the Spring Garden Bakery to sit in and participate in their weekly chat about democracy, “Demo-chat.” There she was able to get a few signatures on our “Cut the Strings” petition.

Also on Tuesday, we spoke at the Minister’s Conference in Winston, where we were trying to get the word out about our organization and the film series we are trying to get going. We seemed to make a good impression on those that were in attendance, and they were willing to take several ROV flyer packets and our flyers about the film showing. In addition, we were able to meet with a few people that are part of the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro. They have a similar summer program to ours; however, theirs just focuses on certain communities in Greensboro. They seemed very interested in working with us and having some sort of film series in mid-July, where we would help their interns set something up for the community that they are working in.

As the summer progresses, Khadijah and I are learning al about the grassroots organizing process. We are continuing to meet new and influential people, who will hopefully be contacts that we will know for a long time.

Khadijah and Kayla

Winston-Salem Team