“Respect, empower, include.” Over a decade after President Obama’s last campaign, that motto continues to inform my political work – both paid and volunteer.

I know firsthand what it’s like to have my voice ignored, if not unheard altogether. I’ve also seen what happens when people from marginalized communities are left out of decision-making tables. I believe that the tendency to ignore ordinary voices – especially marginalized voices – has contributed to the distrust people have in government and politics.

I want to do my small part to fix that. To me, that means making political and advocacy spaces more inclusive; lifting up the voices of ordinary people; and helping people become more engaged in the political process.