Ignite is a brand-new organization that has joined Langston’s campus. Ignite is a movement of young women and allies who are ready and eager to engage their communities in civic service but also have the desire to oversee the next generation of leaders. Langston University is the first Oklahoma Ignite chapter and this is the first full year that Ignite is in Oklahoma.
Although this organization is new to Langston, it is a national program. According to Jasmine Thomas, an Ignite Fellow, the organization formed as “nonpartisan, nonprofit political organization and the focus of Ignite is to build the nation’s largest coalition of women, political leaders.”
The organization has a main focus on young women being able to utilize their political power. According to Thomas, “we do that specifically by targeting young women that are early in their careers and connecting them with training and the resources that would prepare them to run for office.”
Thomas joined ignite for the community. “I have an interest in politics, but I also recognize that it can be intimidating within the political sphere when you don’t know people. So what was really attractive about Ignite was having a safe space to learn about politics and to get organizing experience. And since the organization targets women specifically, I just felt like there was going to be a different level of understanding and community as I walk through the process of learning this world”.
Chastity Chatmon, senior HYPER major, is a general body member of the organization.
“I chose to be apart of this organization to be more involved in my community and to be an advocate for women.” Chatmon believes that this organization will help foster more civic engagement on campus.
“From the little amount of time that I have been apart of this organization, I’ve learned that women in politics are transforming our future. It used to be very uncommon for women to be involved in politics and civil engagement, but now you see women in the senate, being the vice president, and even running for governor. Times are changing and by this organization coming to campus, I feel that it will instill hope into the young ladies who aspire to have a career in politics.”
Chatmon said that she would also recommend Ignite to all of her peers. “I would say that this organization is very forming, especially when it comes to politics and people’s different life experiences. Although it doesn’t fit all the way into my career goals, I have the opportunity to learn a new skillset and know more about my rights.”
Brooklyn Stewart, a senior corrections major, currently serves as the president of the organization. Stewart is very involved with civic action and rights for her people, especially when it comes to women that look like her.
“I decided to run for president because I want to be a present change in my community. And I just feel like if I care about something enough, I need to be the one to actively try to make that difference that I want to see,” Stewart said.
Stewart believes that Langston will advance from this organization being on campus. “I think Langston campus will benefit from just having so many important political leaders in different organizations coming to campus because I think so much can be done from people just being inspired in general and seeing that things are actually feasible for them,” Stewart said.
The first event will be held in Febuary in honor of Black History Month.
“We’re going to be talking about knowing your rights as well as we’re going to be having the ACLU(American Civil Liberties Union) come in to this talk about different rights and civic action pieces that you can get engaged with as a young person,” Stewart said.
Even though the main part of the organization is about women’s rights and getting parity, applications for men are being taken and it is asked that everyone be open hearted and accepting. To stay updated with this organization, you can follow them on Instagram at ignite_lu for all upcoming events. The first general body meeting will be February 15 at 5:00 p.m. in Jones Hall.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
