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LAWSON
STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
3060 Wilson Road
Birmingham, AL 35221
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Geri Albright
Director of Public Relations
(205) 929-6315
galbright@lawsonstate.edu
BET
Personality Jeff Johnson Visits City for Youth
Vote Rally
OCTOBER 2008
- As one of the most important elections in
quite some time transpires just days before
us, there are major efforts to register voters,
our youth in particular. Numerous opportunities
exist for anyone in search of registration,
but there are still so many eligible voters
NOT registered to vote. The right to vote has
been taken for granted and it is the challenge
of the community to, rather than misuse or waste
our young vote, enlighten our youth on the rights
and privileges of having one’s preference
included.
As the community continues to
place emphasis on the education and inspiration
of our youth, Lawson State Community College
served as the host site for the “YOUTH
VOTE RALLY” held on October 6, 2008 in
the gymnasium of the Arthur Shores Fine Arts
Building on the Birmingham West Campus of the
school. All of the seniors and 18-year-olds
(unless otherwise designated) of the City of
Birmingham were in attendance as well as many
young people currently attending Lawson State.
The program began at 8:30 a.m.
and lasted approximately two hours. Alabama
state and local officials were featured along
side BET’s Jeff Johnson, who greeted,
educated, inspired and motivated Birmingham’s
youth toward ownership and leadership for tomorrow.
Opportunities were also provided for onsite
voter registration. The highlight of the morning
was, without a doubt, the inspirational speech
given by Mr. Johnson. He spoke of the brilliant
minds in America that are in gangs and incarcerated
instead of in politics. Mr. Johnson also motivated
young voters to select not just whomever they
are told to vote for, but a candidate who possesses
a certain “passion for the people”
even if in a popular candidate’s stead.
Mr. Johnson included in his rhetoric the blessing
that America has in democracy and even stated
that “an ignorant voter is the worst thing
in America” outlining the importance of
research and truth in politics.
Lawson State Community College
was honored to host regional students in attendance
for this educational experience as well as Mr.
Johnson. The event represents the collaborative
efforts of The National Coalition of Black Civic
Participation, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham
City Schools, Birmingham Vision, Code Red, Innovative
Approach Foundation and Lawson State Community
College. Questions regarding “YOUTH VOTE
RALLY” should be forwarded to Ms. Geri
Albright, Director of Public Relations and Community
Affairs at (205) 929-6315 or galbright@lawsonstate.edu.
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