From Childhood Advocacy to Community Action: The Power of Showing Up

How Are You Supporting Your Community?

I’ve always been passionate about justice and advocacy. Even as a little girl, I found myself standing up for classmates who were being picked on. I didn’t have the words for it back then, but I knew in my heart that silence in the face of unfairness wasn’t an option for me.

As I grew older, my focus shifted toward my neighborhood. I joined hands with like-minded people who cared about making a positive impact. Whether it was mentoring youth or supporting community events, I tried to be someone others could look up to. But for a long time, there was one crucial area I overlooked—who held power over our lives.

I wasn’t paying attention to who was sitting on the school board, who our local judges were, or which congressmen and women were making decisions that impacted our communities daily. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized how much influence these positions hold—and how important it is to be aware and involved.

I still hear the same complaints: the crime is rising, the schools are underperforming, our neighborhoods feel forgotten. But when I ask people if they’ve attended a town hall meeting or voted in the last local election, the answer is often no. If we don’t show up, how can we expect change?

It’s time we stop waiting for someone else to fix things. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. If you want better representation, safer streets, improved schools—you have to show up, speak out, and cast your vote.

Change doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by choice—and by action.

So I ask you: Are you doing all you can to support your neighborhood? Are you showing up for your life, your children’s future, and your community’s wellbeing?

If not, it’s never too late to start. Attend a meeting. Ask questions. Support local initiatives. And above all, let your voice be heard.