Four SL Network Students Named NYC Votes Youth Ambassadors

Originally published by the NYC Campaign Finance Board on July 12, 2023

Four Student Leadership Network students will deepen their leadership skills as 2023 NYC Votes Youth Ambassadors. Hosted by the New York City Campaign Finance Board, the program is a cohort-based model where students explore voting history, host Get Out the Vote events, and share non-partisan voting information in a variety of languages.

As youth ambassadors, students develop civic engagement practices to bring back to their communities. Mariama T. speaks Wolof and attends a CBI partner school, Central Park East High School. She looks forward to growing her network. “Being an ambassador for NYC Votes has given me the opportunity to meet like minded individuals that are deeply committed to creating change. Talking about these issues really strengthened my understanding of all the systems within our society and how they directly affect us.”

Jade C., who speaks Spanish and attends The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of the Bronx, wants to increase voter turnout. “As a Bronx native I grew up not understanding the immense influence that voting gives to community members. I hope to continue organizing and making important voting information accessible to everyone.” Sajina H. from TYWLS East Harlem and Zara I. from TYWLS Astoria also join their SL Network peers in civic engagement opportunities this summer.

A Bronx Times reporter interviewed two of the students about their experiences so far.