In celebration of Black History Month, the Cleveland VOTES team is honoring local Black community members that truly LOVE democracy! Learn more about these individuals' stories and how they are helping build a better democracy for all of us.
Willow Watson - An Activist + Organizer
Why they’re a democracy lover : Willow (she/they) is a late-20s Black transfemme artist and organizer. Outside of their work in retail, they moonlight as a secretary for the The Pleasure Gap, a local sex-positive organization exclusive to people of color, Black, Indigenous, queer, trans and intersex folks. She also volunteers and organizes in her local community with the Neighborhood Connections-North Collinwood chapter and Peoples Budget Cleveland. They have also done a lot of great democracy-building work as a participant in two Cleveland VOTES leadership development programs: The Democracy Collective (DemCo) and More Than My Art (MTMA).
In DemCo, Willow created The Phoenix Project, a collection of stories from Black + BIPOC trans, intersex, and gender nonconforming (TIGNC+) survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence. The goal of The Phoenix Project is to illuminate the experiences of TIGNC+ survivors and elevate their explorations of justice, healing, and survival. As a MTMA participant, Willow helped plan and implement the popular “Mural on the Moon” event in fall 2024. The event asked attendees to imagine through art what their ideal democracy would look like on the moon.
In addition to their participation in these programs, Willow has continued to support Cleveland VOTES’ mission by tabling for us at events, sharing our resources and events with their network, talking to the local media about DemCo, and more. She really has gone above and beyond and taken their role as a community leader very seriously. We are so grateful to her!
Kayla Dial - A Community Builder
Why they’re a democracy lover : During the pandemic, many people found themselves at a crossroads. Kayla, an Ohio native, was one of them. After being laid off from her job, she could have easily become discouraged. But instead of letting the tough times define her, she used them as fuel to create something special—a vibrant community hub in the heart of the St. Clair food desert.
When Kayla was laid off, she knew she had to find a way to make a living, but also, she wanted to give back to her community. Access to fresh and affordable produce is limited in Cleveland’s St. Clair neighborhood, and Kayla saw an opportunity. With a passion for cooking, a love for her neighborhood, and a drive to make a difference, she decided to open KafeLA, a cafe that would not only serve delicious food but also offer a sense of hope and connection to those in need.
By choosing local over big corporate brands, Kayla has built strong relationships with nearby farmers, bakers, and suppliers. This commitment to fresh, locally grown food has not only helped to bring better food to her customers but also fosters a sense of community. Her cafe has become a platform for small businesses to thrive, and her customers love the connection they feel to the food they eat. In addition, Kayla has allowed local nonprofits to use her space for civic dialogue and engagement with the surrounding community.
Khalilah Worley - An Organizer
Why they’re a democracy lover : Khalilah is a Senior Organizer with Greater Cleveland Congregations, and it's with immense pride that we nominate her. Khalilah is a fearless organizer, dedicating herself to addressing the harms and injustices in areas such as education and the criminal legal system. She brings a compassionate heart to her work, continuously challenging the status quo to simply ‘do better’! We have deep admiration for her tenacious spirit and commitment to elevating young leaders to step into their power. We’re grateful for the amazing work she has done in Cleveland and look forward to continuing to see her thrive!
Comments