ACTIVIST SPOTLIGHT – MYA STRONG

Mya at College Network Back to School Picnic

My name is Mya Strong and I am a junior double majoring in Public Policy and Africana Studies and minoring in Spanish at New York University. I have been with the Workers Circle since May as a Democracy Fellow. I grew up in Conyers, Georgia, and have always been deeply interested in advocating for change and against injustices within my community. After I moved to New York for college, I became overwhelmed with the desire to do action and have a more involved role in advocacy. I became the Director of Political Action for NYU’s Black Student Union and despite how much I loved the role, I still found myself wanting to expand my activism. I’ve gotten the opportunity and more during my time at the Workers Circle.

As a Democracy Fellow, I have been working closely with the College Network to bring young adult voices into democratic spaces. Whether that be through discussions about our current voting climate or urging my peers to check their voter registration status. I have also been assisting with the preparation of voting rights educational materials and legislative advocacy so that often complex information can be easily understood and digestible. I worked should-to-shoulder with Workers Circle activists and coalition partners to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York which was signed into law on Juneteenth. The law expands access to voting and protections to voters at a time when those rights are under attack.

I am so excited that through my work with the Workers Circle I am able to encourage those in my community to exercise their right to vote and showcase how they can encourage others to be politically active. But what I love most about being a part of this organization is its commitment and incorporation of Jewish culture and values in everything that it does. It's what makes the activism and work feel that much more inspiring and I know I will carry these ideals with me and my activism in the future.