Kwame Votes Inspires Youth to Learn about Voting & Civic Engagement

I’m excited to announce that my new children’s book, “Kwame Votes” is now available for free download. It’s part of my Leader’s Journey 365 (LJ365) work and the book takes an intergenerational approach to leadership development and civic engagement. “Kwame Votes” was made possible through the support of the Ramsey County Election Office.

In my newest book, Kwame votes in his school’s student government election and returns home to discover his family is preparing to participate in Election Day. Through his family’s conversation, he learns that voting for a specific candidate affects education, healthcare, and the environment in his own community and neighborhood.

Kwame accompanies his grandmother through each stage of the voting process and observes how she proudly wears her “I Voted” sticker, along with his mother acting as an election judge. He learns that voting is a way for people to communicate their opinions on solving community issues.

The adults in a child’s life model behaviors. Youth that see their family members vote are more likely to vote as adults. It’s not enough to just talk about voting – adults need to follow up with action.

According to political scientist, Mark N. Franklin, retired emeritus professor at Trinity College in CT, young people that don’t vote in the first three elections for which they’re eligible are more likely not to vote for the rest of their life. The behaviors of a child’s elders have an enormous impact on whether or not they vote as an adult and that example extends to political rallies, protests and action committees.

“Kwame Votes” is an ideal example of children learning from their families about the importance of voting, the ways it affects their communities, and how it can be a source of change. The book is a fun and informative way to teach youth about voting and civic engagement.