Abigail Wells
University of Central Arkansas student Abigail Wells will present at The Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF) 9th National Civic Leadership Training Summit (NCLTS) on July 31 and August 1, 2024, on Zoom.
The theme, ’64-’24: The 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer, reflects a milestone in the history of civil rights and voting advocacy and is inspired by the legacy of Andrew Goodman and the young activists of Freedom Summer 1964.
Wells’ presentation is “Accessibility at the Polls” and will be at 1 p.m. on Aug. 1.
“Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer is not merely an exercise in nostalgia; it is a call to action,” said Caroline Smith, Director of Programs at The Andrew Goodman Foundation. “We are reminded of the enduring importance of advocating for equality, justice, and human dignity. By honoring the legacy of Freedom Summer, we reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society.”
The first evening of the summit will commence with honoring the Founding Fifteen Campuses of the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere program. The Founding Fifteen Campuses are Allegheny College, Arizona State University, Bard College, Binghamton University, Cornell University, Elon University, Louisiana State University, Miami University, Queens College, Simpson College, Tennessee State University, Tufts University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Mississippi and University of Utah. As 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of its Vote Everywhere program, AGF will celebrate these pioneering campuses for their pivotal role in shaping the Vote Everywhere program since its inception in 2014.
Additionally, AGF will honor six Hidden Heroes, individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to registering, informing, and engaging college students nationwide during election seasons and beyond.
In a significant addition to this year’s summit, AGF will introduce the Alumni Hall of Fame. AGF will induct ten former Andrew Goodman Ambassadors who demonstrated immense contributions during their tenure in the Vote Everywhere program, as well as continued dedication to AGF’s mission of making young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy. Inductees from the first ten years of the program’s history will exemplify AGF’s vision of young people who are active, engaged community members fighting for a sustainable and just future. AGF will also introduce an expansion to high school programming through a scholarship for rising high school seniors. This scholarship will inspire sustained commitment to civic engagement and cultivate AGF’s Civic Leadership Pipeline among high school students.
The second day of the summit will feature inspiring panels and training sessions for Andrew Goodman Ambassadors and young people from across the country. These sessions, reminiscent of the preparations undertaken by young organizers ahead of Freedom Summer, aim to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to drive civic engagement and voter participation.
Other presenting campuses and organizations include ACLU of New Jersey, Center for American Progress, Guides.vote, iCivics, Northampton Community College-Bethlehem, Pace University’s Center for Community Action and Research, Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, Tennessee State University, University of California-Berkeley and Youth Power Project. The keynote address will be delivered by Jalakoi Solomon, executive vice president, Campaigns & Partnerships at Civic Nation. Additional speaker announcements will follow.
Kaylee Valencia, Program Manager and Operations Strategist at The Andrew Goodman Foundation, said, “The young organizers of Freedom Summer 1964 ignited a movement that continues to inspire us today. This summit is an opportunity for a new generation of young leaders to gather, learn, and prepare to lead the movement of young voters into the 2024 General Election and beyond.”
The Andrew Goodman Foundation invites members of the public to register for this free virtual event and join in celebrating the legacy of Freedom Summer while equipping the next generation of civic leaders. To register and find more information about sessions and speakers, please visit 64to24.org.
About The Andrew Goodman Foundation
The Andrew Goodman Foundation’s mission is to make young voices and votes a powerful force in democracy by training the next generation of leaders, engaging young voters, and challenging restrictive voter suppression laws. The organization is named after Andrew Goodman, a Freedom Summer volunteer and champion of equality and voting rights who was murdered, alongside James Earl Chaney and Michael Schwerner, by the KKK in 1964 while registering Black Americans to vote in Mississippi. To learn more, visit www.andrewgoodman.org.
