We Started "Keep That Same Energy"

We hope to create a space for our peers, experts, organizers, and activists to discuss the most pressing issues we’re facing.

Our democracy has been in shambles since its inception and the voices of marginalized people have historically and continue to be ignored in favor of those with money and power. From voter suppression at the polls to disparities in healthcare, access to quality education, and mass incarceration of people of color—the political system is designed to disenfranchise black and brown people. More than ever before, movements like Black Lives Matter and Color of Change have been formed across the country and led by young people of color who are outraged by our failing democracy.

Those very real sentiments of outrage—and sometimes despair—our peers often protest about in group chats, over happy hour drinks, and family dinner discussions, is what inspired the creation of “Keep That Same Energy”—a multi-faceted series of conversations hosted by Demos, designed to mobilize and motivate millennials of color to be civically engaged beyond voting and present ways to own our power and make changes in our communities. 

The Keep That Same Energy series was purposefully formed to create an open and safe space for black and brown millennials to discuss the significance of defining, building and maintaining power in our communities, and how we can ensure to “keep that same energy” in our approach to political engagement. This series was born out of the deep understanding that policies around issues like education, climate, and voting rights—which all directly impact communities of color—should be primarily informed by the people most affected. 

There are growing frustrations among young people of color who often feel locked out of the conversations around issues that detrimentally impact us, our friends, and family members. We don’t know who to turn to for the answers to our burning questions and frustrations. As millennials ourselves who are engaged in policy and social justice activism, we hope to create that space for our peers, along with experts, organizers, and activists to discuss the most pressing issues we’re facing and strategize ways to engage and build the power that already exists within ourselves and our various communities.

Find out about more about Keep That Same Energy at its campaign page