A Lesson in Resilience from NAACP’s Democracy Fellowship

By Jordan Dixon

I've learned throughout life and continue to see examples of how the way we see things while we're in the middle of a battle is very different when time has passed and when looking back at everything we've experienced. After time has passed, we see the payout of all the work we put in, realizing the new growth of skills, change of mindset, and new opportunities that were gained.

Throughout the NAACP Democracy Fellowship and leading up to the election, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions knowing what was at stake and how it would affect me and my community. The morning of November 5 felt like the calm before the storm. A mix of emotions ran through me: a sense of relief that we were almost done, the stress of everything that had to get done that day, and anticipation of what the next four years would look like.

Waking up on the morning of November 6 there was a feeling of relief that the election season was over, but also a feeling of disappointment like all my hard work was for nothing.

My vision for the future and the policies I fought for seemed like a distant dream. As that initial disappointment faded, I realized that no battle is ever easily won, and no fight is ever really over as long as there is hope. We are living in unprecedented times, and we are history in the making. Because I know our history, I know this is a time and reason for us to work even harder.

It wasn't my first time voting, but it was my first time being in a leadership position in a historic election. Through the Democracy Fellowship, I've learned many valuable things that I will carry with me into my professional career. Even at times when I felt frustrated and overwhelmed dealing with problems, I realized they were learning experiences. I also had the chance to see how the NAACP operates on the national level, having the opportunity to work with and learn from well-established leaders.

The results of the election show that there is a lot more work that needs to be done in preparation for what might come in the next four years.

The sleepless nights, the moments of doubt, the times of frustration, and the drive to make a difference all contributed to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader and an advocate for change. For the youth that feel disappointed by the outcome of the 2024 election, just know we are history in the making and no battle is not won without a fight.

Jordan Dixon is a Democracy Fellow in North Carolina, who worked with the NAACP to mobilize Black voters.