Iowa College Fund

As part of efforts to encourage young people to engage in the political process, the League of Young Voters Education Fund (LYVEF) recently teamed with the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Vote (NCBCP) Black Youth! (BYV!) For participation in the civic innovative North High School in Des Moines, Iowa. Young then participated in Black and Brown Forum Presidential Debate.

The organizers emphasized the importance of voting in January 3, 2008 primary, even though people of color represent less than six percent of the population of Iowa. "We are working diligently to educate young people about the role of primary play in the political process," said Rob "Biko" Baker, director of the organization LYVEF. "We used edutainment - oral and writing exercises - to link the struggles of young adults to the power of voice."

"Young people must learn the entire process. To make matters aimed at youth on the table during the primaries, to holding elected officials accountable once they are in the office, "said Melanie L. Campbell, Executive Director and CEO of the NCBCP. "This is one of the many courses we organize throughout the country to educate youth about the importance of voting and teach them to mobilize their friends and family around issues important to them."

Last month, the young black vote! organized a comprehensive training in Washington, DC to prepare state BYV! coordinators to go in their community and to galvanize young voters. Around 80 youth leaders from across the country engaged in interactive workshops and roundtables to train them on voter registration, mobilization of young voters, voter protection, and educate youth on issues demographic characteristics.

"There are a number of issues important to black youth, including unprecedented levels of incarceration, African American, high rates of school expulsion, and their economic future," said Thierry Jordan, BYV! National Coordinator. "Black Youth Vote! Connect the dots between the vote and the resolution of problems carrying out their daily lives. "

"It's a new day in America. Black youth under 35 represent nearly 50 percent of the black American electorate, "says Campbell. "Young blacks have the power of the impact of the serious problems the black community. Their movement has been fueled with the historic participation of young voters in 2004 elections, followed by the massive demonstration in Jena. Black Youth Vote! Help to channel this energy movement in the 2008 election cycle, "she added.

Black Youth Vote! (Www.ncbcp.org) the youth division of NCBCP, is a national coalition based organizations and individuals committed to increasing political participation and civic engagement among black men and women 18-35. Founded in 1996, the youth led organization educates young adults about the political process and trains them to identify issues and influence public policy through participation. BYV! has been instrumental reversing the downward spiral among young voters and voter education are increasingly marginalized in the electoral and legislative processes.

The League of Young Voters Education Fund (http://youngvoter.org/iowa) enables young people to participate in democratic processes focusing on young non-college communities with low income and communities of color. Founded in 2003, civic engagement LYVEF made relevant by meeting young people where they are working on issues that affect their lives and providing tools, training and support to become viable players in the civic process .