SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS

(L-R) Nick Perkins, brother of Steve Perkins, who was wrongfully shot and killed by the Decatur Police Department; and Keynote speaker Wesley Thompson
(L-R) SheliaMcNeil, Chair of Madison County Democrats and Zoie Roberson, Chair of the Youth Caucus of the Madison County Democratic Party and Founder of the Impact Ignite initiative and Fit-to-Vote campaign.
‘IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR’ — (FRONT ROW L-R): Canderiah Smothers, Terra Smothers- Carter, Knegleshia Smothers-Cobb, and Demond Roberson, proud father of Zoie Roberson, and husband of Jemeana Smothers-Roberson  (BACK ROW L-R) : Zoie’s first cousins Madisyn Cobb and Morgyn Cobb
Alabama Fashion Alliance Model
Patrick Tucker, Chair of the Morgan County Alabama Democratic Conference
Violet Edward, Madison County Commissioner,
District 6
Griff Supremo

The “Fit-to-Vote” campaign launched with flair on Saturday, August 17th, at the Rotor Rooter Event Center, kicking off with a vibrant fashion show. The event, free and open to the public, was a collaborative effort between Ellena Lejeune and the Alabama Fashion Alliance. Comedian Jeff Johnson served as the Master of Ceremonies, keeping the audience engaged and entertained with his humor throughout the night.

JayJohnson and Beulah Toney
(L-R) Zoie Roberson and ProdLamari

Local artists brought the house down with memorable performances, including rappers GriffSupremo and ProdLamari, and a soulful singing performance by Ty Productions.  The event’s first was guest speaker Nick Perkins, brother of Steve Perkins, who was wrongfully shot and killed by the Decatur Police Department. Then, highlight of the evening was Wesley Thompson’s keynote address. Thompson, a Democrat from Muscle Shoals who ran for election to the Alabama House of Representatives in District 3, is a native of Florence, Alabama. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama and a graduate degree from Mercer University.

The event’s driving force was Zoie Roberson, Chair of the Youth Caucus of the Madison County Democratic Party and Founder of the Impact Ignite initiative and Fit-to-Vote campaign. The campaign encourages individuals to showcase outfits that represent the social or political issues most important to them. Roberson emphasized, “The ‘Fit-to-Vote’ campaign represents a creative and inclusive approach to voter engagement. It uses fashion as a medium to express the issues that motivate individuals to vote and encourages people to reflect more on what they are voting for instead of the candidates themselves. With solid support from the community and a focus on free, artistic expression, the campaign aims to significantly impact voter turnout in the upcoming election.”

Roberson also expressed her deep gratitude to the campaign’s sponsors, Dr. Parker Griffith and R.J. Rhodes, Madison Co. Democrats Vice Chair James Bosley, Jemeana Smothers-Roberson, the associate publisher of Speakin’ Out News, for her graphic design and publishing contributions, and more.

The event drew significant support from community leaders, political candidates, and local activists. Notable attendees were Patrick Tucker, Chair of the Morgan County Alabama Democratic Conference; Sheila McNeil, Chair of Madison County Democrats; Tom Ryan, Secretary of Madison County Democrats; Violet Edward, Madison County Commissioner, District 6; Chandra Jones, School Board candidate for District 1; Retired Master Sergeant Guy Sotomayor, Madison County Commission Chair candidate, and State Representative Laura Hall.

For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit http://www.impactignite.org.

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