This article was written by Candice Richardson and originally posted in the Seattle Medium on November 9, 2018.

While the midterm elections are over, a movement in South King County to raise voter awareness is just starting. Last Saturday, November 3rd, the first annual Rally to Vote was held at the Commons at Federal Way mall.

The non-partisan event was produced by Brave New World (BNW) and co-presented by moderate republican, Martin Moore and democrat Jesse Johnson, as well as Creative Artist, Entrepreneur, and founder of BNW, Shyan Selah – a Federal Way native who’s been vocal about his mission to create effective programs and events for the community.

The event featured free food and beverages, a variety of speakers including democratic Washington State representative Mike Pelliciotti, Education Consultant Erin Jones, and fashion entrepreneur Becca Johnson, as well as live music by Jamarkus Springfield – a hip hop and spoken word artist who is also an English teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School – and Selah who performed a selection of songs from his Cafe Noir Live album.

“The first annual Rally to Vote was an amazing experience bringing together our community from all backgrounds, party affiliations, ages, and beliefs to educate and engage voters on the issues as well as inspire our first civic act of voting through powerful speeches, music, entertainment and fellowship,” said Jesse Johnson. “The excitement and passion in the room was palpable for everyone who attended.”

The collective organizers say the idea of the event was to stress inclusivity in a divisive climate while encouraging citizens to exercise their civic privilege of voting – which was a goal touted early on by council members Moore and Johnson.

“Rally to Vote was a successful event- bringing Republicans, Democrats and Independents together to celebrate our right to vote. In many ways this was unconventional: the idea that a Republican and a Democrat could actually work together to make such an event possible,” said Moore.

For Selah it was about more than tackling the issue of politics; it was also about raising the collective consciousness and community interaction of his hometown.

“This event was one of the most important experiences I’ve ever produced,” he said. “Federal Way is a city I grew up in and like anybody with pride for their hometown, I want to be a part of seeing it do great things. I believe that starts with leadership coming together and doing more with the community in ways that create dynamic interactions. Rally to Vote was good medicine for those who’ve been politically and socially indifferent over the last few years. It’s an opportunity to break through the norms, barriers, and stereotypes and get into what matters most to the people.”

This sentiment was reflected in the selection of the speakers – with Jones and Becca Johnson as non-politicians balancing out the speeches by Moore, Jesse Johnson, and Pelliciotti. Both touted the diversity of the area and with it the need to listen to others.

“We will go no where if we demonize one side or the other,” said Jones. “I believe that one thing God has asked me to do in this season of my life is to build bridges and to be in spaces that encourage people to talk to each other, not around each other and not at each other, but to and with each other. And so when I’m asked to come to spaces to do that I come.”

Stylist Becca Johnson reminisced about first coming to the city at the age of 19 to work her first job outside of Enumclaw, WA.

“Federal Way was my first at being in a melting pot of diversity and I loved it,” said Johnson. “I met people of all ages, all walks of life and cultures. I was immersed in stories, experiences and wisdom. Fifteen years later I’m a businessperson and entrepreneur and that started with the people, businesses and community of Federal Way.”

While everyone was on board for the congenial tone of the event, that doesn’t mean issues were not discussed.

Mike Pellicciotti was the last speaker of the day coming in after a day of door knocking. His introductory speech centered on corporate campaign contributions and his efforts to get “Dark Money” – money that comes from unknown organizations and then passed to campaigns and candidates – out of politics. Pelliciotti was quick to point out this practice occurs on the left just as much on the right and has gotten passed a bill, which goes into effect in January, that states that anyone who gives more than $2,500 to a campaign has to disclose the fact they did it.

“The only way we can really start changing things is by changing them,” Pelliciotti said.

The event ended with an audience Q&A that began with a woman asking about more resources for veterans stating that she and other veterans she knows have been granted a maximum of $15 a month in food benefits. Moore, Jesse Johnson, and Pelliciotti all gave names of organizations she should speak with and mentioned projects and programs that are in place or are in the act of being produced where they can take her concerns.

Overall jobs became the hot topic of the night’s Q&A with a focus on how to get younger people in solid employment – especially in the trades industry. Council members Moore and Johnson were able to discuss a new apprenticeship program they’ve launched in the city. In addition, former Washington State Representative Jesse Wineberry, who happened to stop in at that movement, took the opportunity to introduce a petition for Initiative 1000 which is designed to create more job opportunities for women, people of color, the disabled, and veterans, and which he says is estimated by the Women and Minorities Business Enterprises organization to bring $3.5 Billion back into local communities.

Throughout the production process for Rally to Vote Selah and the council members have underscored the goal of making this an annual event one that grows and includes more of South King County in the coming years.

“It was our intention to model the way of empowering and encouraging people to honor and celebrate each other regardless of who they are or what political background they are,” said Moore. “As we look to next year, we continue to be excited about the momentum and hope to get more voices heard through republicans, democrats and independents.”