The Up and Up goes to Chicago

Touched down in the Windy City for everything youth vote related. Keeping eyes on all youth vote events, the 200 creators covering the convention, the five with prime time speaking slots, and more.

Photo from today in Chicago.

👋🏻 Hi from Chicago, where I’ll be located all week for the Democratic National Convention, covering everything youth vote related. I’ll be sending updates throughout the week. If there’s anything you’re especially curious about, please let me know. And if you’re here and want to chat, please reach out!

To start, I’m struck by the number of content creators I’ve already seen so far while just picking up credentials and walking through the city of Chicago. The DNC credentialed more than 200 social media creators who will bring highlights form the convention to their audiences. These creators are being treated much like traditional press, in that they have work spaces and a creator lounge in the United Center.

But beyond that — each night of the convention will feature appearances from a different content creator. As Ken Bensinger wrote today in The New York Times: “They will speak on the same podium as President Biden; the Democratic nominees, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota; and party luminaries, including two former presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, among others.”

Following up on The New York Times’ reporting, I'm told by a source familiar that one or two creators will speak each night of the convention. The line-up looks like ⤵️

Monday: Deja Foxx

Tuesday: Nabela Noor

Wednesday: Carlos Eduardo Espina and Olivia Julianna

Thursday: John Russell 

“Content creators are a vehicle to reach new audiences, not just through their content, but through their unique ability to speak authentically to their own communities. From the main stage, to the creator platform, to the convention floor, and all across Chicago, content creators will play a critical role in making sure more Americans than ever before can engage with our convention and hear the story of the Harris-Walz ticket,” convention spokesperson Emily Soong said in an email.

What young leaders are thinking just hours before the president’s historic speech

Before the convention kicks off in high gear tonight with President Joe Biden’s historic speech, I checked in with some young leaders to hear what how they’re feeling.

They touched on the power of representation, the overall energy, a readiness to listen to different opinions within the party, and the historic nature of this convention when it comes to the role of social media and content creators.

Here’s some of what they had to say:

📲 Mariah Cooley, 23, gun violence prevention activist (and member of AKA at Howard, Harris’ sorority)

“As a Howard alumna, AKA, and member of Gen-Z- being here at the DNC to witness a black woman make history in such a historic place like Chicago makes me inspired to be the change within my own community and trailblazer just as she has done,” said Cooley.

📲 Maryland state Del. Joe Vogel, 27, one of the country’s Gen Z state legislators

“The vibe right now in Chicago is different than any campaign event I’ve been to. It doesn’t feel like a convention — it feels like there’s a movement that is surging here right now. You can see hope in peoples eyes and you can just feel the energy. With Kamala Harris getting the nomination, and young leaders taking center stage, it feels like a new generation of leadership really is here,” said Vogel.

📲 Sam Schwartz, 20, Executive Director of The Tour to Save Democracy

“My organization, Tour To Save Democracy, just finished a month long tour across the nation meeting with young voters in swing districts. We held an event in 15 swing districts throughout 11 states. Almost instantly, when VP Harris became the presumptive nominee, the signups for our events more than doubled. Young people started coming out to our events speaking to us about the excitement they felt about voting. Previously, young people told us they were voting in fear of Trump and Project 2025. Young people are still coming out to vote for abortion rights and gun violence prevention, but they’re doing it with excitement now, unlike a month ago,” Schwartz said. “As a first time DNC attendee, I could not be more excited that the DNC are credentialing creators and youth activists into the 2024 convention. We are going to be able to bring the DNC and the excitement about Harris/Walz to them in an unprecedented way.”

📲 Haley Lickstein, 27, Democratic activist and one of the creators covering the convention

"This is truly an unprecedented opportunity to get young leaders across the whole spectrum of social movements together to harness their energy and collective power to help elect Kamala and dems down ballot. Getting creators offline and together in person at an event like this has never been done and now is the time,” said Lickstein.

📲 Jack Lobel, 20, Press Secretary for Voters of Tomorrow

“This may be our first DNC, but we can say with confidence that this is hands-down the most pro-youth convention ever. Across the board, the speakers, policy, rhetoric, and communications strategy reflect Gen Z’s politics and priorities. They also show that the Democratic Party is determined to earn our votes in November,” said Lobel.

📲 Sam Weinberg, 23, Co-founder & Executive Director of Path to Progress

“Can’t wait for the lineup of incredible speakers and I’m thrilled with the party’s decision to include young and progressive voices among them. I’ve also been impressed with the DNC’s willingness to address disagreements within the party head-on by hosting panels on Palestine and a variety of affinity caucuses throughout the convention,” said Weinberg. “There’s a long way to go to making this party everything it can be (maybe even creating more viable parties or eliminating party politics altogether!) but as of today I have never been prouder to be a Democrat.”

More as it happens, so stay tuned!