Hello!

Thank you for supporting the work we're doing in Ohio to build a future where everyone gets a fair shot. Achieving that vision requires more of the public to participate in the political process, and that's why we founded Columbus Stand Up in 2020. Increasing voter engagement won’t happen if we're only talking to people before an election, which is why Columbus Stand Up is working year-round to meet people where they’re at about the issues that matter to them.

Here's a little of what we've been up to:

Signature Summer Event

Last summer, we hosted a community event with candidates for state house seats and featured local comedians in between candidate stump speeches. We had a great turnout and heard from many people that it didn’t even feel like a political event, which we consider to be a high compliment!

This year, we are partnering with J.U.S.T 614 and Ohio Working Families Party to put on another local candidate meet and greet at the end of July featuring free food, music, and comedy just ahead of the August 8th special election on “Issue 1” that will determine the fate of citizen-led constitutional ballot initiatives in our state. We will have a lot to discuss!

RSVP to this summer's event HERE!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ISSUE 1 up for a vote on August 8th–check out the podcast I recorded breaking it down.

Abortion Ballot Initiative

Last month, we collaborated with Planned Parenthood of Ohio and Ohio Working Families Party to host a signature-gathering event for the reproductive freedom ballot initiative at a local small business on the east side of Columbus. Over 100 people signed the petition and many recruited their friends and family to sign during the event as well.

Stop AEP Rate Hikes Campaign

In coalition with Black Environmental Leaders Association, Ohio Sierra Club, 350, and the Ohio Environmental Council, we have launched a campaign to stop AEP Ohio from further raising electricity rates in 2024. We testified at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), who will decide whether to improve the rate increases. The coalition has also launched a petition allowing any community member to send a letter to the PUCO asking them to reject the request for increased rate hikes. PUCO will decide on the rate hike by the end of the year.

This summer and the subsequent months will be a busy one in Ohio politics, in many ways determining the trajectory of our state for the next several years. We are honored to be in the fight. If you’re able, please consider making a contribution today to support our work. All funds raised go directly to Columbus-based organizers and our community partners.

Thank you,

Morgan

Co-founder, Columbus Stand Up

P.S. Check out my bimonthly column in Mahogany Magazine breaking down how federal policy is impacting Black Columbus.