Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Communities First, Inc. hosted a civic engagement event called “Democracy in Action” on Friday, September 25 at GM Factory One in Flint.
The panel included Neil Thanedar -executive director of Michigan Campaign Finance Network, Domonique Clemons-Genesee County clerk, Essence Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer for Communities First, Inc. and Elizabeth Jordan, senior program officer at the Rutt Mott Foundation.
The conversation was moderated by Glenn Wilson, President & CEO of Communities First, Inc.
Clemons discussed voting barriers in Michigan, emphasizing that voting has become easier since 2024 with expanded mail-in voting options. He highlighted misinformation as the biggest barrier, particularly false beliefs about formerly incarcerated individuals’ voting rights. Clemons stressed the importance of spreading accurate voting information throughout the community.
Jordan shared her personal journey into activism, starting with writing letters to her school board as a child and eventually working on community projects focused on education and systemic issues. She emphasized the importance of recognizing interconnected global patterns of colonialism and racism.
Thanedar advised those without political experience to start locally by identifying specific issues they care about. He shared how his brother successfully advocated for campaign finance reform by consistently focusing on one issue, demonstrating that individual citizens can be more effective than politicians juggling multiple bills.
Wilson encouraged community members to become active participants in their neighborhoods, emphasizing that advocacy doesn’t require traditional political channels. She stressed it can include volunteerism, attending community meetings and holding elected officials accountable. She discussed her own path to a school board appointment after being encouraged by someone who saw potential in her.
The panelists collectively emphasized starting with local ordinances and laws, maintaining consistent engagement between election cycles and focusing on one or two key issues rather than trying to address everything simultaneously.
Jordan also highlighted the Ruth Mott Foundation’s focus on hyper-local, place-based civic engagement and the importance of residents feeling empowered to make a difference.
The panelists discussed successful voter turnout strategies, noting that while voting access has improved in Michigan, community engagement remains the challenge.
The panelists challenged the audience to take personal responsibility for one issue, build broader coalitions and spread accurate information. Final messages emphasized that democracy depends on citizen participation, that individual ideas and actions have power and that building trust in institutions requires organizations to listen to community input and act on it.
