afropunk atl: activism row, women engaged

Activism Row is where you’ll find all the warriors who represent and fight for ALL of us. We highlighted some of our fave orgs doing the damn thing.

What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Michelle Wilson, born and raised in Kansas City, MO.

Describe what you do and what your organization is about?
I am the Senior Program Manager for Women Engaged. Women Engaged is a social justice nonprofit at the intersections of reproductive justice and inegrated voter engagement. We are based in Georgia, founded in 2014 by our now Executive Director Malika Redmond and the late Margaret Kargbo to inspire Black women/femmes, young people, and LGBTQ+ youth from largely ignored communities, providing training to talk to our communities about the issues facing our families, to use our vote as our voice, electing officials that will be our advocates and training our own to be leaders in our neighborhoods.

When was the moment you decided to become an activist?
I decided to become an activist at a young age. Experiencing and seeing my neighborhood struggle, I have always believed that we need to hold the government accountable to addressing our needs. Since then I have dedicated my life to education and bringing that back to my communities to build power and create change.

Define activism.
I define activism, as taking action on an issue or issues that you are committed to learning and creating change. Actions can be voting, volunteering with organizations, talking to legislators, attending community events, or raising funds, resources and awareness.

What’s something fest-goers can experience at your booth? Where can folks find you?
At our booth, we are offering pathways to action and vital information about reproductive justice and civic engagement through our 2020 voter experience. We are simulating what it will be like to vote in the 2020 election to gather data to show that young folks are astute about the issues and ready to vote in 2020 and beyond. We will have giveaways and a voter spin the wheel game. Everyone can play, but few can win.