Be The Ones, in partnership with SOLVE (Southern Coalition for Social Justice), will host the South Carolina Young Voters Summit on Saturday, September 14th from 12 pm to 4 pm at The Ripple Fund in downtown Charleston. This free, nonpartisan event is open to all South Carolinians aged 16 to 30 and is designed to bring together passionate young leaders to share ideas, sharpen skills, and build momentum ahead of the November elections—all while having fun.
The Young Voters Summit incorporates hands-on workshops, games, and activities to foster a dynamic and interactive environment where young adults can learn organizing tactics, enhance their advocacy skills, connect with peers, and uncover new ways to get their friends involved in the voting process. The event also includes free food, event merch, and a chance for all attendees to win up to $200 in door prizes.
“The Young Voters Summit is about giving young South Carolinians the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to ensure their voices are heard in the upcoming local elections and beyond,” says Cate Mayer, Founder & Director of Be The Ones; a nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement organization. “We’re turning civic participation into something exciting and empowering, and creating a space for young leaders to learn, connect, and build power.”
The event will feature a series of speakers, all South Carolinians aged 26 or younger, along with trainings and workshops on topics like combating mis/disinformation, using social media to encourage friends to vote, and organizing community with existing resources. Attendees will hear from young leaders sharing their real-world experiences with advocacy and mobilization—what worked and what didn’t. Participants will also gain access to the tools and resources needed to be informed voters in November. The summit includes a collaborative project, where participants will work together to create solutions to common barriers faced by young voters, using creative problem-solving, artistic expression, and curiosity.
Understanding travel to Charleston may be a barrier for some, attendees can receive a gas reimbursement gift card if needed.
Event co-organizer, Courtney McClain said, “This is the first event I’ve been part of that was designed and curated by all young people and it’s really exciting to have an opportunity to lead, and create the kinds of events we want to be part of. This summit acknowledges our voices and influence as having real power. Gen Z will have nearly 41 million voters in the upcoming elections; it’s essential we build new ways to educate, engage, and mobilize our voting base. Young people are the heart of driving change, and this summit is about bringing together future leaders to connect with their communities in meaningful ways while giving them a platform to advocate for issues that matter most to them.”
For more information and to sign up, visit: www.betheones.org/summit.
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ABOUT BE THE ONES
Be The Ones is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working to build healthier communities and a more equitable democracy by removing barriers to local civic participation across the Southeast. Learn more at BeTheOnes.org
ABOUT SOLVE
SOLVE, a project of Southern Coalition for Social Justice, is a multi-state collaborative of 200+ organizations dedicated to expanding voting rights and providing a space for Southern grassroots and state-based organizations to address and rectify policies that have weakened the voting strength of communities. Learn more at solve@scsj.org.
