By Laura Onyeneho | Houston Defender | Word In Black
This post was originally published on Defender Network
(WIB) – One demographic stands at the forefront of potential political change, and that is young Black voters.
Across the nation, the political power of Generation Z, comprised of nearly 42 million 18-to-27-year-olds, could sway crucial races, including the deadlocked presidential contest. Half of these voters are people of color, which includes a substantial portion of Black youth who have shown increasing interest in civic engagement. However, mobilizing this group poses unique challenges that political leaders and organizers strive to address.
Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy, one of Texas’s youngest Black elected officials, is at the heart of this movement to energize young voters. McCoy has seen firsthand the importance of engaging Black youth in politics.
For McCoy, engaging young voters early is crucial. “We know millennials and Gen Z are essential to our democracy,” he said. “The share of young voters is larger than that of baby boomers, but if they aren’t engaged early, the likelihood of their participation is low. This affects everything from who runs for office to the policies that shape our communities.”
One such challenge is the feeling that their voices are only valued during election seasons. McCoy acknowledges this sentiment, recalling conversations with young voters who feel that political leaders disappear after elections, disillusioning them. He emphasized that this dynamic must change.
Houston Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas agreed, saying, “It’s real—people feel like politicians show up during election time and then ghost. The truth is, elected officials get comfortable in their positions and forget the hustle that got them there.”
Thomas has spearheaded initiatives focused on fostering civic engagement among young residents, including one called AliefVotes, to address historically low voter turnout in Alief.
“Growing up, I often felt that once we learned everything we could, we were encouraged to leave our communities,” Thomas reflected during a recent interview. “But if all our intellectual talent leaves, what are we left with? That’s why I made youth engagement one of my primary campaign points in 2019.”
The movement gained momentum after the George Floyd protests when a group of high school seniors expressed their desire to engage in activism but felt sidelined by ongoing protests across the city. Recognizing the significance of their need for a safe space to express their emotions and concerns regarding public safety, Thomas collaborated with these students to organize a demonstration that ultimately drew hundreds of participants.
“From that point on, we saw the potential of our youth,” she said. “It wasn’t just about protesting; it was about giving them the platform to co-create solutions to issues affecting their lives.”
Thomas has equipped youth with the skills necessary to engage in civic activities actively. The initiative includes volunteer opportunities in her office, internships, and workshops that teach students about local governance, policy-making, and the significance of their participation in elections.
One of the most pervasive stereotypes surrounding young Black voters is the idea of “apathy.” McCoy firmly rejects this notion. “I completely reject the idea of apathetic voters,” he stated. “It puts the blame on people who haven’t been engaged by the system, rather than on the institutions that fail to make voting accessible and relevant.”
According to McCoy, many young people grow up in environments where voting isn’t normalized. “In some communities, voting is a family tradition—parents take their kids to the polls, and civic engagement is part of everyday life. But in many Black and minority communities, there isn’t the same history of participation because the system has historically discouraged their involvement,” he explained.
This systemic discouragement has manifested in various ways, including voter suppression tactics. McCoy pointed to recent efforts in Texas to eliminate drive-through voting, which had benefitted young people and communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The state banned drive-through voting, which disproportionately affected young people, women of color, and other marginalized groups. This isn’t a coincidence—it’s part of a long history of tactics designed to suppress our voices.”
Elected Officials’ Responsibility
McCoy believes that the responsibility for increasing youth engagement lies with voters and elected officials. “It’s real—people feel like politicians show up during election time and then disappear,” he said.
To counter this, McCoy has taken a proactive approach in his precinct, prioritizing community engagement year-round. “We’ve held over 17 town hall meetings in the last year, not just in government buildings but in community centers and churches. I make it a point to go where the people are. If constituents have issues, I don’t ask them to come to me; I go to their neighborhoods, after hours if necessary, to see their problems firsthand.”
Thomas says elected officials need to bridge the gap between young people. “We must attend sporting events, community fairs, and recreational activities. We have to meet people where they are, and when we do that, they start to see elected officials as accessible, as people they can trust with their concerns.”
Political organizer, founder, and CEO of Next Wave Strategies, Shekina Dennis, began her journey as a student leader at Texas Southern University to create a culture of informed voting.
“We needed trusted messengers from our community. Born and raised in this community, I serve as a multiplier to get younger voices involved,” she said. “We don’t have enough people from our generation in office or spaces where we are at the seat of the table,” she said. “Young Black voters need to see themselves represented in leadership positions to feel motivated to participate in government.”
She has partnered with the Student Government Association at Texas Southern University to create fun and educational experiences. Dennis advised that “engagement must be genuine and show youth participation matters.”