MSNBC: ‘I Am a Voter,’ ‘Morning Joe’ reveal this year’s inaugural cohort of Democracy Heroes’
The honorees are trailblazers, advocates, organizers and changemakers around the U.S. who are ensuring all marginalized voters have a seat in our democracy.
BY ALIYAH FRUMIN, MSNBC, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
Democracy is not just a system of government — It’s an ongoing practice of engagement, service and action.
And the 25 civic leaders on this year’s inaugural “Democracy Heroes” list are doing just that to ensure all marginalized voters have a seat at the table.
The non-profit organization I Am a Voter, — in partnership with “Morning Joe,” The Rockefeller Foundation, and HeadCount, released the list on Friday. It spotlights trailblazers, advocates, organizers and changemakers who are making a difference in their communities every day.
And with just over a month until election day, the timing could not be more significant.
Here are this year’s honorees:
Lauren Kunis/CEO and Executive Director, VoteRiders
Lauren is the CEO and executive director of VoteRiders, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on ensuring that all citizens can exercise their right to vote.
VoteRiders provides voter ID information, helps citizens secure IDs, and supports organizations, volunteers, and communities in sustaining voter ID education and assistance efforts. With a career dedicated to strengthening democracy, Lauren has designed and managed impactful voter education, civic engagement, and government accountability programs globally. Lauren was the National Voter Registration Day Program Director at Nonprofit VOTE, leading the holiday to a record number of voter registrations in 2020. She also worked with the National Democratic Institute and the World Bank on democracy and governance programs in over 15 countries. In addition, Lauren served on the Steering Committee for the DC Paid Family Leave campaign.
