Fellow activist,
My name is Genetha Short, and I am the NPP Director of Staff and Culture. As a retired Cox Media professional and mother of one, I often questioned why I wanted to start doing this work to mobilize voters across PA. Long hours on the road, your laptop is your best friend, and making personal plans are seemingly on hold, at least for now. So again, I ask myself: Why do I want to do this work?
For the better part of my life, I have dreamed for a better world. A fairer country. A nation where we could all be recognized as equal. Well, as a retired professional, that day is yet to come. So I asked myself some important questions: Should I continue to just hope? What can I do? Who's going to listen to me? No one was listening because I wasn't talking. And talking to myself wasn't worth much.
Here is a little background:
By using my voice, I was able to convince three candidates, all persons of color, to run for county offices. Something that had never happened in the history of my county. I was proud to be doing the work to uplift my often underserved and underrepresented community. Did we win? No. However, I believe we created a movement. A movement by which those county ballots will never look the same again.
Fast forward to May of 2024, I was invited to join a friend for dinner. During that seating, I was introduced to Kadida Kenner, founding Chief Executive Officer of the New Pennsylvania Project. As the conversation continued, Kadida mentioned the work that she would be organizing within the Allegheny/Western Region, which included Beaver County, where I live. By now, the bells are ringing inside my head. It felt like a calling of some sort. I always knew that if I were to make a difference in my own community, I would need to connect with others beyond my own community. I wanted to tap into Kadida's experiences, her knowledge of civic education, and her natural ability at using her voice. I believe everything happens for a reason. That dinner invitation was more than just a nice meal. It was an invitation to begin this journey to change democracy.
It's July 10, 2024. My first day as the Director of Staff & Culture. I always knew that I wanted to be a part of something bigger in an effort to bring about change. Change for the betterment of all people across the Commonwealth.
Well, thanks to you & Kadida Kenner, I am no longer dreaming. This work with the New Pennsylvania Project is real. These past five months have been a blessing and worth every single sacrifice. As the Director of Staff & Culture, I have also witnessed the sacrifices made by others within this organization. We are all thankful for the opportunity to continue to do this work.
Year-round voter registration and civic education are the keys to changing Pennsylvania's electorate. It won’t happen overnight, but with your continued support, our staff is ready and excited to continue this work in 2025 and beyond. Will you consider supporting us with a donation today?
Thank you!
Genetha Short
NPP Director of Staff and Culture |
