During Texas Southern University’s Homecoming Week, The Normal Anomaly Initiative, in partnership with TSU’s College of Education, will host Let’s Have a Kiki, an intimate fireside chat focused on civic engagement, voting and issues affecting Black and LGBTQIA+ communities.

The conversation will feature State Rep. Jolanda Jones, District 147, and Judge Ashley Mayes Guice of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12. The discussion will connect local government, public policy and down-ballot races to the everyday experiences of young adults while exploring practical ways to become civically engaged.

The event reflects The Normal Anomaly Initiative’s broader work to reduce barriers facing marginalized communities through advocacy, education, leadership development and community partnerships. Founded in 2016 as a grassroots digital storytelling effort, the Houston-based organization has expanded its work to address the systems and challenges affecting community health, well-being and access to resources. 

Through its partnership with TSU’s College of Education, the initiative is bringing that community-centered approach to civic participation, creating space for young adults to better understand how elections, legislation and local leadership can affect their lives.

The discussion comes as policy debates and legislative decisions continue to shape issues affecting civil rights, representation and access to opportunities. Organizers are highlighting the role community organizations and educational institutions can play in helping young people understand what appears on their ballots, why local elections matter and how to translate civic knowledge into participation.

Connecting Civic Engagement to Future Generations

For The Normal Anomaly Initiative, civic education is particularly important in Texas, where state policy decisions can influence political conversations and developments beyond its borders.

Joelle Espeut, advocacy director for The Normal Anomaly Initiative, emphasized the importance of understanding the relationship between voting, legislation and long-term political change.

"The South, specifically Texas, continues to be the heart of the country as well as a look forward to the socio-political future of where the country is heading.  Voting, policy, and legislation trends typically start and are tested in Texas first (before they migrate across the country).  This Midterm Election will shape not just the current government, but the political landscape for years and decades to come.  

The change and impact we want to see several years and decades in the future starts today by becoming educated and civically engaged, empowering people to understand the true power of their vote and to make the most informed decisions at the polls."

Through Let’s Have a Kiki, organizers aim to connect public policy with the issues that shape daily life and encourage young adults to become informed participants in the electoral process.

The collaboration also underscores the role of higher education and community partnerships in preparing future generations to understand public issues, engage with local leadership and make informed decisions at the polls.

As TSU celebrates Homecoming Week, the event offers an opportunity for students and community members to engage in a conversation about the relationship between civic participation, public policy and the future of Texas communities.