Norfolk & Virginia Beach Democracy Center

The Virginia Beach/Norfolk Democracy Center strives to build community advocacy by reaching voters ages 18-30 and providing HOPE for change by listening to their needs. Change only comes when we use the power of the pen at the polls, and it's what we strive to achieve. One of the main ways we achieve this goal is to educate high school seniors, college students, and youth in these communities about the importance of civic engagement while providing the necessary tools to build and restore from within. This happens through collaboration with Faith-based Organizations through Community Outreach,  Youth Lead Events, Town Hall Meetings, and Community Forums.

Lynchburg Democracy Center, Virginia

The Lynchburg Democracy Center is run through the LighthouseCommunity Center, a faith- and community-based, trauma-informedcare provider that offers immediate access to food, clothes, hygienesupplies, and bicycles
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Since starting, the center has helped hundreds of people register to vote or get the rights restored. They participate in community events and help get voters to the polls during elections for early voting and on election day.
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Roanoke Democracy Center, Virginia

The Roanoke Democracy Center cares about WHO'S MISSING. We want new voices to rise and help make our communities the safe, livable, accessible 21st-century communities we deserve. We have a community food pantry,  and we meet regularly in the community through pop-up block parties and regular family-friendly events. We strive to educate that civic engagement/voting must be our non-violent resolution towards progressive needed change. There is a lot of apathy in our community, thousands feel disconnected and don't know what's happening. Our goals are to disseminate election information and reduce voter participation gaps by motivating communities with a history of poor turnout to vote. We meet people where they are to listen to them, answer their specific questions, and help them make a personal plan to be active.

Southside Democracy Center, Virginia

The Southside VA Democracy Center comprises multiple counties in our rural geographic area— Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, and Brunswick. Our mission is to provide outreach and opportunities for the civic engagement of historically suppressed populations in our region. Our vision is to ensure that every voice has the opportunity to be heard. We want to meet people where they are and let them reclaim their rightful place in the governing process to be recognized, considered, and addressed. We want our community to engage in our governing process for empowerment.  We focus on increasing voter registration and participation in all parts of the election cycle, resulting in voter TURNOUT through strengthening our partnerships and service in the community.  Our collaborative partnerships help increase our community presence and be the go-to source for information on voting and election cycles.  We also advocate for our area and look for every opportunity to voice support for disenfranchised community members to find ways to increase their civic engagement.

Richmond Democracy Center, Virginia

Richmond Democracy Center is committed to providing civic ucation to community members through events, webinars,educational training, voter registration, and GOTV efforts

The center has also worked closely with the Richmond Public School system, hosting voter registration events and organizing rides to the polls for students eligible to vote.

Charlotte Democracy Center, North Carolina

The Charlotte Democracy Center is dedicated to empowering underserved and marginalized communities through transformative change. Rooted in Charlotte’s rich history, we address systemic issues such as racial injustice, economic inequality, healthcare disparities, educational inequity, and the need for criminal justice reform. We focus on fostering economic empowerment by creating pathways to financial stability, access to quality jobs, and wealth-building opportunities. We also advocate for criminal justice reform to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all. Additionally, we prioritize voting education and civic engagement, ensuring Charlotteans are informed and able to hold elected officials accountable.

By amplifying the voices of the underserved, we strive to build a just, inclusive Charlotte where every person can thrive, and the city’s cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

Monroe Democracy Center, North Carolina

The Monroe Democracy Center was formed to work in underserved communities, where it has been proven many residents feel their vote, their voice, and their needs do not matter. The intent and goal of the Democracy Center is to form an organized united front, and work with other organizations and other individuals who realize this is a major concern and are willing to commit to becoming community activists. Activists will interact with community residents to listen, learn, and address community needs when and however possible.

"It doesn't matter how strong your opinions are. If you don't use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem." - Coretta Scott King

Florence Democracy Center, South Carolina

The Florence Democracy Center's mission is to be a leading advocate for voter empowerment. Our aim is to turn infrequent voters into voting rights advocates. We also champion environmental justice, helping to educate the community on the devastating effects of climate change. We advocate for voting rights and climate justice on the local, state, and federal levels.

During the elections, the center helps drive voters to the polls, hosts phone banking events and postcard parties with local churches and organizations.

Cobb County Democracy Center, Georgia

Located in Cobb County Georgia, the Democracy Center works hard to build bipartisan engagement between candidates in the community, running candidate forums for almost every election. They work on getting out the vote, running canvassing, making phone calls and offer rides to the polls. Since the center has started in 2022, they have engaged over 100,000 community members through canvasses, phone banks, radio shows and local newspapers.

They also started a fellowship with Kennesaw State University where they are working to build civic engagement on campus, having built up hundreds of volunteers on the campus.

When the Georgia legislature is in session, the center focuses on advocating for policies that expand voter access and fight against voter suppression bills

Hawkinsville Democracy Center, Georgia

Located in the Newberry Institute, the Plow & Pew Democracy Center promotes democratic engagement and preserves rural history. The Mission of The Newberry Institute is to strengthen democracy in rural communities through preserving history, building community, providing education and promoting interfaith dialogue.

Our key programs include:

• Rosa's Food Pantry: Provides essential resources to support community members.
• Annie Lee's Porch: Builds community connections through social events and discussions.
  
• Ameenah's Interfaith Center: Encourages dialogue and understanding among diverse groups.