aVolunteers Engage Voters Across the District
South Fulton Democratic Party Leaders
“It’s not about isolating people; it’s not about me versus you; it’s all of us together,” says Patricia Lovett, one of the South Fulton Democratic Party’s city organizers. Along with Amelia Thomas, her co-captain in East Point, and Jaceey Sebastian, city captain for the City of South Fulton, she frequently speaks about the importance of community and equality when describing her work for the Fulton County Democrats. “It is an engaging party,” she says, “We don’t just tolerate people--we welcome people and want to understand who they are, what their needs are, what their beliefs are -- and we embrace those things.”
The three leaders are varied in background: Lovett is a grandmother, retired from a long career at IBM. She is extremely active in East Point, where she serves on the Planning and Zoning Board, in addition to her political volunteer work. As a market researcher and local activist, Sebastian, a post-seat holder and a State Committee member, has brought his experience to several national, state, and local political campaigns and helped drive the movement for cityhood in South Fulton. Thomas teaches first grade in Atlanta Public Schools, having come from a family of educators. She also serves on the City of East Point’s Board of Ethics and volunteers with the South Fulton Democratic Women’s Council, the NAACP and Atlanta Communities in Schools.
These very dedicated volunteers represent the many active members who comprise the South Fulton Region. A major division of the Fulton County Democratic Party, the South Fulton entity carries out activities to engage the residents in cities located below I-20 and east of DeKalb County. Led by veteran political organizer Rodney Littles, the South Fulton Region of the party recruits members and then identifies lead volunteers to “Get Out the Vote” for Democratic candidates in county, state, national elections.
Littles said, “As a long-time Democratic Party member, beginning in college, I realized that it is critical to organize like-minded people to try and save our democracy as part of the Georgia Democratic Party.”
Leading up to the November 2020 Presidential Election, highly organized Democratic Party units in South Fulton were vital to mobilizing efforts: They each hosted voter registration events; provided opportunities for East Point and South Fulton residents to meet and learn about candidates. These teams of volunteers were critical in helping voters navigate changes to their polling places and uncertainty about how, when, and where residents could vote. In South Fulton, it was important for organizers to be active members of a community – very able to get to know their neighbors and their values, needs, and hopes for the future.
“I think I was actually born into the Democratic Party,” Sebastian jokes. Originally from Antigua and Barbuda, he moved to what is now the City of South Fulton 16 years ago after living in New York for some time. He describes his father’s activist history. “He was involved in the leadership of trade unions and the political parties and so on and so forth. So, I grew up with that.” He continues, “I think that the Democratic Party has always looked to make sure as much as possible that we don't leave people behind.”
Sebastian is focused on local elections this November and building across the South Fulton region. “I think, as we strengthen this region and get people to be comfortable with the kitchen table items that we have to talk about every day, like making sure there are jobs and training opportunities, then we can get them to concentrate on things like the environment,” he explains. “But we have to do that by doing things like keeping people's taxes low and improving city services, and electing people who will set policies that will benefit the community.”
In East Point, Party organizers Lovett and Thomas are similarly focused. They hope to continue providing opportunities for the community to meet candidates and learn more about their policies. These leaders also have already begun helping people register to vote or check their status.
As a teacher and organizer, Thomas is highly motivated. “The main thing that I like about teaching is that I have the opportunity to touch a child's life and give them the foundational skills they need to be productive citizens, to be successful citizens, and to be future leaders and entrepreneurs.”
Volunteers have the same opportunity to make an impact, Thomas shares. “We need you because each person brings a different perspective,” she says. “All of us have our own opinions; all of us have different perspectives. And you never know – you may have something to offer the individual that approaches you. It may be a smile; it may be your story. It may be a volunteer opportunity. Something that you have will spark a light in that next person.”
If you would like to learn more about the Fulton County Democratic Party and getting involved in South Fulton, visit fultondems.org.
South Fulton Lifestyle does not endorse any political party. This piece is a submission from the South Fulton Democratic Party and the view expressed here are solely their own.
