By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Alabama College Democrat’s (ACD) convention will be held on April 6th at Alabama State University in Montgomery. Thursday is the deadline for pre-registration. The Thursday pre-registration price covers lunch, a t-shirt, and a “swag bag” of Democratically-themed items for just $10. After Thursday, the price will go up to $15. Congresswoman Terri A Sewell (D) from Selma will be the special guest of the ACD.
“Voices for Change” is the 3rd annual statewide convention for the Alabama College Democrats. The event brings together College Democrats chapters from around the state and doubles as a leadership summit for students around the state. Students are invited whether they are involved with College Democrats or not. The Alabama College Democrats said, “We want to invite all students advocating on behalf of progressive change around Alabama. We are working hard to craft a program to help students develop programs to speak on behalf of the issues that matter. Our goal is to be able to effectively educate our peers about how laws can have an impact on their lives, and why students should get involved in the political process.”
ACD officer and College Democrats of America Political Director Beth Clayton said on Facebook, “We have a great program and slate of speakers, from Congresswoman Terri Sewell to Senator Marc Keahey to Representative John Knight. We will also be joined by members of Organizing for Action, Democracy for America, Alabama Arise, Alabama Afl Cio, Scouts for Equality, Alabama’s National Organization for Women (NOW) and many more organizations from around the state!”
Congresswoman Sewell represents Alabama’s 7th congressional district, which includes parts of Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. It also includes Sumter, Greene, Hale, Clarke, Lowndes, Dallas, Macon, and much of the black belt. Sewell is the first African-American woman elected to serve in Alabama’s congressional delegation. She serves on the House Financial Services Committee and is the deputy whip for the Democratic Caucus. She is the only Democrat in Alabama’s Congressional Delegation.
This is the third annual statewide convention held by the Alabama College Democrats. In addition to Rep. Sewell the participants will hear from speakers including: Alabama Senator Mark Keahey (D), President of the Alabama AFL-CIO Al Henley, the President of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Shirley Ann Rawls, Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Judge Mark Kennedy, the founder of Scouts for Equality Zach Wahls, Alabama Democratic Party field organizer Leanne Townsend, College Democrats Black Caucus Chairman CJ Jackson, and Jefferson County Organizer CJ Willie. Students will learn how to grassroots organize.
Elections for the ACD Executive Board will also be held at April’s convention.
Prior to her service in the U.S. Congress, Sewell was a prominent public finance attorney for more than 15 years and was a partner in the Birmingham law office of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. Congresswoman Sewell is the daughter of retired Coach Andrew A. Sewell and retired librarian Nancy Gardner Sewell, the first black City Councilwoman in Selma, Alabama.
