Meet the 2019 Summer Fellows
Last week, we welcomed a diverse group of bright, young minds to our new Summer of Action Fellowship program. Get to know the team that will register new voters, recruit volunteers and push back against Trump’s failed policies.
Ohio Democrats aren’t waiting until 2020 to start organizing on the ground — that’s why we’ve launched our Summer of Action program to engage with voters in every corner of the state. Leading this critical program are our Summer Fellows, a diverse class of young people who are living in the communities where they’re organizing, including urban, suburban and rural Ohio.
Let’s meet our Ohio Democratic Party Summer Fellows!
Colin Burke
From: Wyoming, Ohio
College: Yale University
Instagram: @kidashes
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I wanted to give back to Ohio, which has given me so much as a home. I also was inspired by Sherrod Brown’s Dignity of Work campaign.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? I’m most passionate about economic inequality, racial justice and voting rights. I want to work on these issues because I think they are the most pernicious issues affecting America, and they strike at the core of a myriad of problems Ohio and our nation are facing.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? I hope to get more young people and marginalized people involved in the work of the Ohio Dems. I also hope to help build sustainable infrastructure for the party.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? I will be going to Yale Law School this fall. In law school, I hope to work on political campaigns over the summers. After graduation, I hope to clerk for a judge then work as a civil rights lawyer.
George Clark
From: Sebring, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Instagram: @george_clrk
Twitter: @gclark1216
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I’ve lived my whole life in Ohio, and my family has deep roots here. My great-grandfather was an immigrant from Eastern Europe who worked in the steel mills of Youngstown. My grandfather worked the factory floor of GM Lordstown until he retired in the early 2000s, and both of my parents are public school teachers in the Mahoning Valley. A story like mine is not uncommon in Ohio or even America. This is what America is supposed to be about: working hard and having the freedom to make a better life for yourself and those you care about. However, it can only happen when everyone is given a fair shot at the American dream. My story is only possible because of Democratic policies: strong public schools, organized labor, a fair immigration system and well-regulated businesses that put people before profits. Without any of these things, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Lately, those policies have been chipped away in Ohio and in America as a whole. Everyone does not get a fair shot at success, and in my home that has become apparent. Areas like mine that voted strongly Democratic have trended toward Donald Trump and the Republicans. Both my state senator and state representative are Republicans for the first time not only in my lifetime, but that of my parents’ and grandparents’ as well. I joined this program because it’s part of the effort to make my story possible, to take back America, to build a better Ohio that works for everyone and to fight for my hometown.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? I’m most passionate about education issues, labor issues and environmental issues. I come from a family of educators and know what it’s like to see them go to work without the support of their public officials. I also come from a family of blue-collar workers who were proud members of their union. Unions built the middle class, and I remember when Senate Bill 5 almost took a wrecking ball to the unions my family belonged to. I’m also passionate about environmental issues because it is the greatest threat to humanity both in the short and long term. We have the potential to solve the climate crisis and create jobs in the industrial cities that need them the most.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? I want to gain a greater understanding of nitty-gritty campaign work like learning how to organize and build a volunteer base because they are skills I will need in my career going forward. Seeing what it’s like to do field work and how to organize volunteers and events will allow me to be ready for 2020 and the task of helping to flip Ohio blue!
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? I see myself either working as a campaign organizer, field director or doing legislative work.
Andrew Craig
From: Brecksville, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Twitter: @andreuucraig
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I think that we are in a political moment where hours and hours of work are needed to create an America that will continue to be a more perfect union for everyone here. I think that the Ohio Democratic Party is on the forefront of the work that will help people, and to me that is what the essence of public service in politics is: helping people who have been left behind in our current system.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? I am most passionate about the growing income inequality that is currently affecting the lives of every single struggling American because I believe that decreasing this wealth gap is the most effective way to lead to a more prosperous America for all. In the richest country in the world, I do not think that we should have such a large portion of our country still struggling to make it to their next paycheck.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? My main goal this summer is to learn. I believe that through this program, I will not only learn more about effective organizing, but I will also get to learn from the valuable stories that every single person in the state of Ohio has to share.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? I see myself in politics helping people. I am not sure which capacity this will be in, but I believe in five years, no matter the political climate, there will still be a need for progressive action to continue to ensure a prosperous America for all, and I see myself continually working to help create that change.
Jael Frierson
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
College: The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
Instagram: @jael_frierson
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I wanted to serve my home state by getting involved with the party.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? I am most passionate about women’s rights to abortions, as well as women’s health.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? I hope to fulfill all of my duties as a fellow.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? I see myself in law school.
Sarah Holbert
From: Chicago, Illinois
College: The Ohio State University
Instagram: @Sjillian27
Twitter: @Sjillian27
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party?The upcoming 2020 election.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? Women’s issues, LGBTQ+ issues, immigration, health care.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? I hope to build my network and inspire people to get involved in local and national politics.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? I see myself hopefully running a 2020 race and then graduating from grad school with a job at a nonprofit or state agency.
Taylor Lonas
From: Toledo, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Instagram: @tay.lonas
Twitter: @tay_lonas
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party?While serving on the executive board of the Ohio State chapter NAACP this past year, I spent a substantial amount of time advocating for students to take a more active role in politics. With the conclusion of the spring semester, I found myself searching for an enriching experience that would allow me to take on a new and engaging role within state politics. With the presidential election on the horizon, now is a particularly crucial time to foster unity and action within the party.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? I am incredibly passionate about a number of issues, one of which is within the realm of civil rights. The last few years have been plagued with alarming deadly interactions between law enforcement and community members. This issue, alongside the lack of equitable access to health care for deprived populations has impacted far too many families. Having witnessed people within my personal network being affected by both of these debilitating issues has fostered my passion for reform.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? By the end of the summer I hope to have gained additional knowledge on the inner workings of state politics. Additionally, I hope I will have encouraged families to make an impact within their communities by raising awareness of the role that each individual plays in the election of our representatives. I hope to do so by increasing turnout in future elections via voter registration.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? Within the next five years I aspire to obtain a degree in law as well as a Master of Business Administration. I plan to continue to work within politics to initiate positive change and foster more politically engaged citizenship across the nation.
Abigail McHugh
From: Dublin, Ohio
College: Boston College
Instagram: @abbzmchugh
Twitter: @abbzmchugh
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I can’t wait to do meaningful work this summer in the communities that I grew up in and love so dearly! ODP realizes the importance of the political movement that we are seeing in Ohio right now. We need to capitalize on the energy of so many different groups of people and show how powerful we can be in a united cause.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? The issue that introduced me to community organizing was climate change. I believe that it is the most important fight of our generation — I’d like to someday lead the charge in Ohio! Additionally, common-sense gun legislation is very important to me. My generation has grown up with lockdown drills every month; we have watched as tragedy after tragedy happens with no changes after. I am confident that once we come into positions of power, we will stop this cycle of gun violence.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? I want those who feel voiceless to know that they are heard. I can’t wait to have conversations with Ohioans all over the state to hear about what matters to them and what I can do to help.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? I’d love to work as a communications director and help tell the story of a candidate that I really care about!
Dylan Page
From: Washington Court House, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Instagram: @pageforamerica
Twitter: @pageforamerica
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I was inspired to do all that I can to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot after the disappointment of not securing more 2018 statewide offices, which in turn helps boost down-ballot offices. I can’t wait to work to register new voters, engage with the community, recruit new volunteers, share our message with the public and show Ohio who the true defenders of the working class are.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? Health care, and its role in the basic dignity of life, highlights major socioeconomic divides within America. No one in our country should have to pick between being able to afford their medication and being able to put food on the table. We must work to stabilize the inflation in health care, put an end to corporatism in drug manufacturing and patient care and expand access to preventative measures in Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? I hope from the social networks we will build this summer to continue the movement to help elect Democrats up and down the ticket this November, in 2020 and beyond.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? In five years, I see myself finishing up law school and putting my knowledge and skills to the political test.
Becca Young
From: Toledo, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Instagram: @young.becca
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I have been a lifelong Democrat. My parents love to tell the story about how my political career started in the womb when my mom walked in a parade while she was pregnant with me. I truly believe in the mission and beliefs of the Democratic Party. I also love Ohio. I have lived here my entire life so far and plan on living here for the rest of my life. Mixing the two together was a match made in heaven for me.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? I am passionate about women’s reproductive health, equal voting rights and funding for the arts in schools. Reproductive health care is one of the most important rights, and it is currently under fire not only in Ohio but all over the nation. I also believe strongly that the right to vote is vital for our democracy, and everyone should have equal opportunities to express that right. Arts funding in schools is near and dear to my heart because I went to an arts-based high school — that school made me who I am today, and I am so thankful for it.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? By the end of the summer I hope to have made some genuine connections with voters and other staffers, and I hope to make a real difference in my community. I absolutely love talking to people and hearing their stories, and I’m looking forward to leaning into that this summer to gain new perspectives from other staffers and members of my community.
When it comes to making a difference in my community, I do not think it has to be something big. It can be as simple as getting some new voters registered and energized for this upcoming election. That is all I want to do — make sure that people are reminded that 2019 is also an important local election year.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? For the next two years I will be finishing up my degree in public affairs at the John Glenn College at The Ohio State University. After that, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in public affairs, as well. Once that is finished, my hope is to work at the state and local level on Ohio politics.
Yumeno Young
From: Cleveland, Ohio
College: The Ohio State University
Twitter: @YoungYumeno
What inspired you to spend your summer at the Ohio Democratic Party? I started out as an intern at ODP where I started to see the ins and outs of what goes into the campaign process this year. When I learned about the Summer of Action Fellowship opportunity, I could not think of anywhere else I would rather spend my summer.
What issues are you most passionate about and why? Two issues I am greatly passionate about are health care and education. I believe that education is a vital resource for making for well-rounded, engaged citizens. Health care must be a top priority for people to be able to fully commit to their education and pursue further goals, their health must be kept a priority. That’s why I consider these two issues incredibly important in shaping the leaders and citizens of the future.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? By the end of the summer I hope to create a vast network of contacts that I may call upon in the future for advice, opportunity and camaraderie. I hope to gain and/or enhance various skills, like communication and organization, as I help push forth the efforts of the Summer of Action.
What do you see yourself doing in the next five years? In the next five years I imagine I would have finished my undergraduate degree and be pursuing a master’s degree in preparation for law school. I also hope to be interning or working in some sort of political office to continue gaining valuable experiences and connections that will help me in future endeavors.
Make the Most of our Summer of Action!
We are always looking for more volunteers to help register new voters and re-engage inactive Democrats across Ohio. Our first big Day of Action is Saturday, June 22, and we need volunteers to help host events all over the state.
Sign up to host an event — fill out this form and one of our Summer Fellows will be in touch!
Our fellows can’t wait to meet you! Connect with them by following them on social media — and check out the Summer of Action Spotify playlist to hear their top “superhero” songs!
