Stepping Into Change: My First I Believe Fellows Circle Meeting

 Before I applied to be apart of Judge Reynold's campaign out of a desire to be apart of something much larger than myself, I did a lot of research. Her roles included a Georgia attorney, judicial clerk, and assistant attorney general all before making history as the first African American to serve as Executive Counsel to Georgia's Governor. Recognized for all of her amazing accomplishments, she had even won an Emmy and was a host on a widely-known show, "Family Court." However, despite all of these extraordinary achievements, when I met her in person, she was remarkably humble. Judge Reynolds is extremely relatable and connecting with her, as Black women, was honestly inspiring. She was approachable, thoughtful, and she was genuinely interested in hearing each one of our thoughts. Meeting her in that space, I realized that her leadership was grounded in her commitment to public servitude, empathy, and an actual, genuine commitment to justice.

When I was first invited to join the campaign of Judge Penny Brown Reynolds for Georgia Secretary of State, named the I Believe Fellows Circle, I truly did not expect the first meeting to be as transformative as it was. It was an incredible experience where I was surrounded by student leaders and, of course, Judge Reynolds who has incredible visions and aspirations. I listened to Judge Reynolds share her passion and commitment to integrity, transparency, and hope that would lead to a more just and equal Georgia. She spoke not only from a place of ambition, but she also spoke from a place of understanding. She shared her journey with us, beginning as a law student and moving on to successful and distinguished legal career. She didn't at all focus on her accolades, she centered the conversation on her grand vision for Georgia. But, what I loved most was her desire and eagerness to include us within her campaign. She sought to hear from us, asking about our own perspectives, thoughts, and goals as young Black adults. 

It was that sense of unity in the room that really moved me, not only in sharing political beliefs, but our desire  and belief in truly creating a positive change within our community. Throughout the entire night, I felt empowered and I truly believed in what Judge Reynolds represented: integrity, justice, transparency, and a commitment to groups who are often overlooked. Her passion was contagious; I felt excited to be behind someone who embodied my exact values. One moment that stood out to me was when Judge Reynolds looked at each and every one of us in our eyes and told us that weren't just standing beside her but with her. That statement made me feel empowered to take ownership of that statement. As a young Black woman who's preparing myself to enter the legal field, and other various professional spaces, this gathering made me feel a sense of agency. Although just the first meeting, I knew that this experience would have a profound effect of shaping who I am and how I approach leadership and service as someone who has always had a deep passion for social equity. Like Judge Reynolds, I aim to embody a type of servant leadership that lifts up others while staying grounded in compassion. From this experience alone, I already started to see civic engagement through a broader lens that's not limited to politics, but also about showing up for your community.

In the coming months, particularly in the winter, I plan to support the campaign's outreach in many different ways. Although we were assigned roles and tasks to increase awareness of Judge Reynold's campaign, we were given a lot of creative freedom in how we could do so. In particular, helping mobilize young voters through the use social media will be a major focus, as social media is a top influencer that now allows us to reach wider audiences and interact with others. I'm so excited to collaborate with my other Fellows and use our voice collectively to encourage civic participation. I know this experience will not only allow me to contribute to a historic campaign that's led by a trailblazing Black woman, but will also help me to develop various skills in leadership and advocacy that'll follow me throughout my life.

Destiny Aaliyah Hutchins