Continuing the Conversation: Voter Rights & Suppression
Join us for our ongoing series, Continuing the Conversation. Policy issues and legislation affect us all but they disproportionately impact populations that have been routinely undermined in the political process, including Black and Brown communities. Join us for the next chapter of Continuing the Conversation, where we dive into important issues and discuss different perspectives. Today we'll be discussing voting rights and voter suppression as we head into the very important 2020 General Election.
Mainstream Coalition is dedicated to uplifting Black voices bringing intentional diversity in our conversations, and working to make a real change. Watch the conversation
here.
Joining our panel discussion are:
- Linnaia McKenzie - a life-long resident of Overland Park, Kansas. By day, Linnaia makes a career as a Project Manager. In response to the continued tragedies that members the Black Community in our country are suffering, Linnaia became one of the lead organizers for the Overland Park Advocacy and Awareness Peace March and Rally that took place on Saturday, June 20th, 2020. The event gathered an estimated 300 attendees and even more participated by watching the event via live stream. Out of that event, the Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County was formed. Linnaia currently serves as the President and Co-Founder of that organization. At the core of this work is Linnaia's passion for creating a world free of racial discrimination and social injustice. Linnaia's hope is that our community's children, and her daughter Genesis, get to grow up in a world that has changed for the better.
- Nigel Morton - is a graduate of Wichita State University having studied Political Science, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. While at Wichita State, Nigel was involved in numerous organizations including leading the URGE chapter, Feminists On Campus Uniting Students (FOCUS). Through his work with FOCUS, he was awarded the Next Generation award from the Kansas pro-choice coalition, Voices for Choice. Nigel was also involved in student government where he worked with university administration to implement a name change policy for student records to benefit trans students who haven’t had a legal name change. Nigel lived all over the country coast to coast, but chose to settle in Kansas after discovering a love for the people and the landscape. When he’s not working, you can find Nigel appreciating Wichita’s rich art scene and taking pictures of his cat for her Instagram page.
- Melissa Stiehler - joined the ACLU of Kansas as the Citizen Participation Field Organizer in December of 2017. She is a civil and workers’ rights activist and former Organizer for Planned Parenthood, where she served as regional organizer in Southern Florida and Iowa State Electoral Organizing Director for the 2016 Elections. Previous to this, she worked as an International Human Rights Organizer with the Cross Border Network for Justice and Solidarity with focus on Latin America and how U.S. military and economic policies drive migration. Melissa began her career as a Community Organizer with the AFL-CIO, where she managed electoral and issue campaigns in Missouri, Minnesota, and Nevada. While serving as the Cross Border Network's Vice President, Melissa created the first ever LGBTQIA focused human rights delegation to Honduras. Melissa is a Kansas City, Missouri native. She studied economics with a focus on labor studies at the University of Missouri - Kansas City and has applied her education in analyzing the impact of fiscal policy on domestic inequalities, international human rights, and the intersectionality of global movements.
When:Thursday, August 6, 2020 4:00 PM thru 05:00 PM
