A Seat at the Table by Joy

A Seat at the Table by Joy - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Throughout our country’s history, we have seen Black women disenfranchised at every moment of progress in the political arena. We saw Fannie Lou Hamer put her life on the line to stand up for Black women around the country. We saw Shirley Chisholm work tirelessly to make her way into Congress and sadly, unsuccessfully throw her hat into the Presidential ring. In my generation, I saw Kamala Harris break records in becoming the first woman Vice President and then attempt going a step further with a Presidential bid. These examples show the urgency in mobilizing younger generations in the election process, because when we participate, true change happens.

When I was 15, I took my first step into civic engagement by becoming an election judge. I had never heard about a job where teenagers could make such an impact; it felt bigger than me. On Election Day, I checked in voters, guided them through the voting process, and ensured everyone had the opportunity to cast their ballot. While working the primary and general elections, I saw democracy up close and personally. People from all walks of life got ready to vote for those they felt best represented their values, but I saw how underrepresented young Black people were in the process that shapes our futures. That firsthand experience motivated me to find ways to involve my peers in democracy.

As an election judge, I realized how important it was to have young Black people involved in our democracy, especially in times when many are disillusioned with politics. Since then, I’ve spoken to classmates about becoming election judges. I hope to expand this work by recruiting students across counties to show that being too young to vote doesn't mean your voice doesn’t matter. Increasing engagement from my generation would help pass the torch of democracy forward. It reminded me of elementary school, when we practiced voting through mock elections. That early exposure showed me that “we the people” have power. By building that foundation through civic education, we can inspire leadership in Black children.

I want to tackle the issue of political advocacy through Black youth engagement, ensuring young Black women are properly represented in political arenas. I believe this starts with creating pathways of influence that place young people in spaces of voting influence to see democracy up close and personal, something I hope to continue in college.