I admit that I had never heard of Turning Point USA or the event held this past weekend in Washington, DC — the Young Black Leadership Summit. I was skeptical that anyone would show up, or that it would receive press coverage. I had heard of Candace Owens, who is a growing celebrity due to her friendship with Kanye West. However, I assumed the event would be a publicity stunt, or that only a few people would actually come to Washington, DC.
I started the weekend with doubt and criticism. To my amazement, over 200 young mostly African American youth descended upon Washington, DC for the four-day summit. I had an opportunity to talk to a few of them and wanted to share the impact of those conversations. The White House is a magnificent place and to be a young person in the room is an achievement. Kudos to those young people for being able to share their experience and inspire others. Moments when the room is filled with a majority of people of color in the White House are impactful. These moments are still rare and worth noting when they happen. No matter the political party or President.
View this post on Instagram Write the vision and make it plain! Habakkuk 2:2 . . 📷 by @the_mike_lerner . #idgt #kanyewest #yeezy #MAGA #Trump2020 #BigGovtSucks #BlackConservative #candaceOwens #CharlieKirk #TurningPointUSA #TPUSA #DavidHarrisJr #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #blackRepublicans #Kavanagh #BrandonTatum #FreeThinker #FoxNews #FoxAndFriends #Fox #FakeNews #blacklivesmatter #YBLS2018 A post shared by Brandon Tatum 🇺🇸 (@theofficertatum) on Oct 26, 2018 at 3:25pm PDT
Write the vision and make it plain! Habakkuk 2:2 . . 📷 by @the_mike_lerner . #idgt #kanyewest #yeezy #MAGA #Trump2020 #BigGovtSucks #BlackConservative #candaceOwens #CharlieKirk #TurningPointUSA #TPUSA #DavidHarrisJr #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #blackRepublicans #Kavanagh #BrandonTatum #FreeThinker #FoxNews #FoxAndFriends #Fox #FakeNews #blacklivesmatter #YBLS2018
A post shared by Brandon Tatum 🇺🇸 (@theofficertatum) on Oct 26, 2018 at 3:25pm PDT
On Friday, President Donald Trump invited the attendees of the Young Black Leadership Summit to the White House. Bold was invited to cover this event, and I was able to talk to other reporters from several outlets in attendance. There was breaking news on Friday as the nation watched the capture by the FBI of the mail package bomber. We had to wait for the President’s arrival to the East Room. During the down time I had a chance to listen and talk with several attendees. This experience is what changed my opinion about the conference and those attending. It was my “ah ha” moment.
Several notable reporters were in attendance, including Roland Martin. He stood next to me in the press area as we waited for the President. A few attendees recognized Roland and wanted to talk to him about their experience and why they were attending the conference.
One young man from North Philadelphia spoke with a soft clear voice, stating: “My uncles are in jail, many men in my community are in jail. The President is talking about prison reform. I want to get involved.”
I was awestruck by his words and passion. His desire to get involved and be active in his community. I thought to myself of the work US Dream Academy and Shawn Dove are doing on prison reform and why this message or this young man wasn’t out there in the mainstream.
Another young man whose exchange with Roland Martin went viral discussed the impact of immigration on our communities. He discussed neighborhoods and towns around the country that were once vibrant business corridors that have now become extinct. He blamed illegal immigration on this phenomenon.
The Kanye effect cannot be dismissed. He isn’t ‘over’ as some in the media like to state. He is beloved by many fans. Many young men identify with him and his search for answers. Kanye isn’t over, he is speaking to a segment of his fan base that looks up to him.
During the event, the President shared his thoughts on black unemployment, black female unemployment and outreach to the black community. He spoke about companies bringing jobs back to the inner city and the impact that would have on our communities.
Many will dismiss this summit as a I originally did as simple talking points or a publicity stunt but several of these young men and women are seeking ways to get active politically. They were inspired or frustrated by years of policies that have impacted their communities and seeking to add their voice to the conversation. To dismiss them is a mistake. Both sides of the political conversation need to pay attention.
Time we talk to each other and stop talking at each other. I am paying attention to see what is next for these young people and any action items that arise from the Young Black Leadership Summit.
Lead photo credit: Candace Owens
An entrepreneur, female founder, brand expert, women’s leadership advocate and authenticity guru. She is affectionately known as The Advertising Diva or for her hashtag #beingkarenalston Karen is passionate about creating space for opportunities for all Americans. Karen is the Founder and CEO of The Spectrum Circle. Karen Maria Alston received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Howard University and has completed two executive education leadership programs at Harvard Business School.
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