by Kelly Rogge
Kansas City Kansas Community College will hold an educational voter registration event next month to encourage the community to exercise their right to vote.
“It’s Up 2 Us: A Voter Education and Registration Initiative” is at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC main campus, 7250 State Ave.
“The event aims to motivate our students and those in the community to get out and vote,” said Jared Hill, coordinator of the Intercultural Center at KCKCC. “We hear a lot of opinions, but there needs to be more action, and we have to do it together. Too often, we are apathetic about the democratic process, so we thought this event might be a nice way to attract attention with some great entertainment and get people registered.”
While there will be an emphasis on voting and registering to vote at the “It’s Up 2 Us,” there will also be live entertainment. Groups scheduled to perform include Roger Suggs, “Vigilante;” C-Los and Jose Guerra and Gregory Taylor. In addition, those in attendance will have the opportunity to hear from others on why voting is important to them and our community.
“We need to work together to get past the obstacles that prevent able-voters from voting and let those in positions of power know how we really feel,” Hill said. “We want students to walk away being more mindful about voting, take advantage of advance voting ballots and to be a little more prepared for the upcoming general elections.”
This event is a collaboration between the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 11082, the American Association of University Women, the International Student Organization, the Student Organization of Latinos, Israel Garcia with Garcia Squared Contemporary, Julian Gomez with Mi Raza Magazine, Roger Suggs a.k.a Vigilante, C-Los, Jose Guerra and Gregory Taylor, Jessica Piedra, the League of Women Voters, the Intercultural Center and Student Activities.
Anyone interested in attending may search for the event via Facebook and enter “It’s Up 2 Us,” where they can join the conversation (#up2us) and invite others to participate and attend.
Information is also available by contacting Jared Hill at [email protected] or by calling 913-288-7375.