For ten years, Up to Us has helped paved the way for a more sustainable, inclusive economic and fiscal future. Our community is filled with driven, emerging leaders who are actively harnessing their knowledge, voices, and collective power to drive change. As we continue to grow the Up to Us movement, we are excited to launch the Up to Us alumni board, a group committed to helping shape the future of the program and connecting fellow changemakers across the country. Join us in welcoming our board members and keep reading to learn all about the exciting work they are doing.
Alumni Board Member: Khalil Davis
Up to Us Competition Year: 2019-2020
Tell us what you are working on now?
Currently I am working with the Rock a Faith Foundation to revitalize South Main Street in Columbus, Ohio. The goal being to create sustainable living and opportunity. We are using mixed reality/virtual reality to teach people trades. I am also working on my personal businesses: personal training and content creation. Currently my day job is at T-mobile, and graduate school is in the near future.
What does it mean to you to become a member of the Up to Us Alumni Board and what do you hope to achieve during your tenure?
For me, it means a chance to be a true civic leader and make a positive impact on different people across different regions of America. It also shows that the Up to Us community sees the potential within me, and I truly appreciate it! I hope to immerse myself in the culture of Up to Us in order to keep my focus on civic engagement. I hope to create professional connections and build a profession in outreach and politics.
What was one important lesson you took away from participating in the Up to Us Competition?
I learned that it does not take much to be that person who educates and reaches out to citizens about political matters. These are the most important topics we can discuss as citizens. It is much more satisfying to discuss important issues rather than the regular jargon that the majority of society engages in. It can be challenging at times, but it is mostly about the effort you are willing to put in. If you, as a leader, are not engaged, then your community will never see the value of engaging in politics.
What is one piece of advice you have for someone looking to get involved with Up to Us and participate in the Campus Competition?
My piece of advice is to get started as early as possible. The longer you take to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to people, the worse you will perform. It is not always about having teammates. If, like my experience, you find yourself without team members during your campaign, make sure you take the time to make various other connections and execute on your personal goals. You will be surprised at the amount you can get done by yourself, if necessary. Do not be afraid to reach out to the board if you need help with your campaign.
