Sarah Mallory
Communications & Marketing
During a casual event organized by two sorority chapters, Atlanta mayoral and city council candidates or their representatives met and spoke with the Tech community on the evening of Oct. 8.
Sponsored by the Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha sororities, the event allowed for seven candidates and three campaign representatives to share their platforms with attendees, and then answer questions during face-to-face conversations.
Delta Sigma Theta President Shannon Wilson and Alpha Kappa Alpha Vice President Mallori Burse helped plan the event. Both students indicated that they hoped the evening would open up lines of communication between constituents and candidates.
More than 50 Georgia Tech students turned the meet and greet into a standing room–only affair. Student Brian Tyson came to support the organizers. “I feel like they are doing a great thing for the campus,” he said.
“The candidates here tonight have a direct effect on campus issues,” Tyson said. “What better way to get people informed than to bring the candidates to campus so students can ask questions?”
Candidates attending included Kasim Reed and Jesse Spikes for mayor, and Baherah Azizi, Miguel Gallegos, Ceasar Mitchell, Shelitha Robertson and Aaron Watson for Atlanta City Council. Campaign representatives spoke for Michael Julian Bond, Lisa Borders and Emir Faroqui.
Student Jenae Anderson found the event informative. “I had no idea about any of the candidates because I am not from Georgia,” she said. “But this experience has encouraged me to go out and vote.” |
