Sharing the Mic: Deborah Smith Gregory on Bridging Generations and Vote 16

In this episode of Everything’s Political, host Junius Williams talks with veteran activist and Newark NAACP President Deborah Smith Gregory about what it really means to share power with young people. As Newark sees 16 and 17-year-olds voting in local school board elections for the first time, Deborah reflects on how a new generation is reshaping civic space, not just by showing up, but by taking the mic. From tech-savvy student moderators to generational tension in the room, Deborah offers sharp insight on what inclusion should look like. “We don’t need to silo our kids. If anything, we need to collectively embrace them.” It’s a conversation about trust, transformation, and the radical act of letting youth lead.