St. Petersburg Deltas advocate for youth voter registration
- Isis Climes
- May 5
- 3 min read
With the midterm election season fast approaching, voter registration is a vital issue, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) events are starting to pick up steam.
The St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (SPAC) is working to raise awareness and engagement on the topic through their event, “All Power to the People: Arts & Letters Cultural Experience.” This free event will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM at ARK Innovation Center, 1104 4th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL.
A midterm election is an election held halfway through a president’s four-year term and conducted statewide. The ballot for the 2026 U.S. Congress is composed of all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate.
Citizens have two opportunities to vote during the midterm elections: the primary and the general. In a primary election, a party selects a candidate for the general election, and citizenscan vote for a candidate on the ballot. During a general election, citizens vote for the federal, state, and local officials. Each state's election dates vary - you can check Florida's election schedule here and those running for candidacy on the ballot here.
The St. Petersburg Deltas are a local non-profit devoted to promoting academic excellence and community uplift through their Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: education, economics, physical and mental health, international engagement, and social action.
Delta members of the St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter actively work to spread knowledge and information to their local community, while simultaneously addressing social issues through various community events.
The “All Power to the People: Arts & Letters Cultural Experience” opens the door to conversation and observation on the country's political landscape. This event mobilizes young voters through an innovative cultural experience featuring art, music, storytelling, and dialogue to inspire the next generation to exercise their right to vote.
St. Pete Delta member Deborah Sheppard-Brooks serves as the chair for the Arts & Letters Committee. Her responsibilities include coordinating local events and planning community highlights of African Americans’ contributions to the Arts, including past and present contributions to the creative humanities, with an emphasis on African American women.
Sheppard-Brooks encourages young people to attend next Friday's event. She believes it is crucial that the younger generation understand the full scope of their voting rights and invites them to an open dialogue on the power they hold to change the country.
“We hope those who attend leave feeling proud, informed, and encouraged. We want young people to know their voices matter, their vote has power, and they have a role to play in shaping what happens next in their community,” said Sheppard-Brooks.
Every U.S. citizen will be affected by the decisions and results of elections: jobs, public safety, health care, housing, and more. Therefore, Sheppard-Brooks hosts this event to remind the community that every vote and voice matters.
“It is also important because this event brings people together in a way that feels welcoming and meaningful. Through art, music, history, and conversation, we can help people feel connected, informed, and ready to take action,” said Sheppard-Brooks.
The Arts and Letters Committee spreads awareness and community engagement by utilizing culture to open doors to important conversations. Through music, art, and cultural performances, SPAC's committee uniquely crafted storytelling that connects history and community issues in intimate, personal ways.
“It is a chance to celebrate our culture, honor the Civil Rights Movement, and remind our young people that they have a voice and a place in the future of this community. Young people, elders, artists, and community members can share space, learn from one another, and leave with a stronger sense of pride, connection, and responsibility,” explained Sheppard-Brooks.
The event will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the ARK Innovation Center, 1104 4th St. S., St. Petersburg. Come ready to listen, learn, and immerse yourself in a cultural experience —leave feeling encouraged and involved in your community.
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