“Meanwhile, for non-Hispanic blacks, turnout rates decreased in 2016 for every age group” is what it says on Census.gov in poll results from the last election cycle.

I paused and paid particular attention to the word “meanwhile”… by now you know I can be kinda strange like that… I am probably the only person who got caught up with English language in a context of a mathematical collection of data analyses.

One definition of meanwhile is “until something expected happens or while something else is happening”.

I read it over again. I read it out loud. I closed my eyes and thought back to many conversations I have heard, been in, or seen online around what matters to the black community.

I re-read it as “until something expected happens black turnout rates decrease”…. And then again as “while something else is happening black turnout rates decrease”.

How can we have so much care and concern for issues in the black community, meanwhile black turn outrates decrease? As I see it all we have is opinion unless it’s backed by committed action.

That’s when it hit me. I had no choice but to get real and ask myself the tough questions.

How long will I sit idly by while people are living in a chronic, symptomatic state of “I don’t matter” and “my voice doesn’t make a difference”? What will be the expected person, place, or event that will change it? Why am I not out in the world getting people to see the value they add when they choose powerfully into what they say matters? When will I start doing my part to bridge the gap in understanding how voting is tied to the conversations that are being had in black homes, churches, communities, and DMs across America? What will it take for the black community to be 100% connected and committed to the “how” as much as the “why”?

I am deeply in tune and connected to the black community and culture. I get what we say matters. I also get how the break downs in effective communication and participation stand in the gap.

“Meanwhile”, I sit back wanting to wear my “Black Lives Matter” apparel rather than carrying out an actual vision of what that looks like.

“Meanwhile”, I pretend not to know why God gave me the ability to listen and communicate so powerfully that I am able to lead groups of people such that I effect change.

“Meanwhile”, I go on living my best life and posting on IG stuff that only matters to me and the other 25 people I allow to get to know me.

“Meanwhile”, I listen to Beyonce’s “I Was Here”, bombarded with my conversations and thoughts of woe is me and who am I in this world.

“Meanwhile”, all of the above is happening black voter registration declines.

Today, I am somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow. I am ever present to the difference I can make in the world.

For the first time in my life I am literally, physically connected to the difference I make in the lives of others. I actually “get” that I matter. And more importantly I get why the conversations I have matter and what I can do to use them to forward humanity.

I am committed to making a difference in the lives of others. I am committed to ensuring that people know that they matter. I am committed to ensuring that people exercise their choice. My vision is to give rise to leadership in others such that it will cause them to break every chain. In this case the chain is what stands between black voters and law makers.

“Meanwhile”, I get back on my agenda and daily routines, I have the power to make America greater than I found it.

It’s time to turn up by turning out. Moving forward I am committed to my hashtags as they relate to the black community advancing what we say matters.

Meanwhile it’s time to register young black voters. Join me today!