Be The Ones 2024 Yearbook

Be The Ones 2024 Yearbook! Here’s to celebrating how far we’ve come - and to all that is ahead. Let’s keep building, engaging, and being the ones together. Join us: www.betheones.org

friends,

As I reflect on this historic moment and our fragile democracy, I’m reminded how critical our work together has become. The need for strong, local civic infrastructure has never been greater; the need for reimagining local civic participation and community care has never been greater. This moment strengthens our resolve to keep fighting for each of you, so we can live lives that are safe, supported, and filled with abundant joy. Our theme for 2024 was “Engage Together.” We set out to engage and mobilize our neighbors (with particular focus on those historically excluded) to become civically and electorally active. And, engage together, we did! We saw the power of connection and collective action transform communities, spark new possibilities, and prove that civic participation can be accessible, and, yes, joyful and exciting. We stayed true to our key initiative pillars and their many intersections: 1. Be A Local Voter (electoral) 2. Be The Noise (advocacy) 3. Be And Lead (leadership) By focusing on supporting local civic leaders, engaging new voters, and expanding knowledge & understanding, we made an impact where it matters most - in our own backyards. We got vocal for local, y’all! We met people where they were: in classrooms, community gatherings, sporting events, and even karaoke nights. From empowering voters to celebrating creativity, amplifying voices to advancing awareness, our work was rooted in building relationships and centering joy. We fulfilled our promise to “engage together” by showing up in ways that broke silos, created connections, and reimagined what civic participation can look, feel, and even taste like.

how we got here !

Idea for Be The Ones is born out of a phone conversation with Beth, a voter, in Raleigh, NC. (2020)

Reach 43,000+ people through Vote Local Campaign, programs and events. (2022)

Be The Ones becomes a fiscally sponsored project of Netroots Foundation, garnering 501c3 nonprofit status. (2022)

Host Vote Local Day (2022)

welcome

When thinking about how to reflect on 2024, a formal “annual report” didn’t feel like us. Instead, we created this first-ever yearbook - a symbol of our collective joy, connection, and celebration. Throughout these pages, you’ll find the moments that defined 2024. Truthfully, choosing just a few was tough because everything felt big, worthy of celebration, and filled with the spirit of local love. From energizing local voters to supporting college students as election protection leaders to launching Give Her The Gavel (our first advocacy campaign), we accomplished so much. Together, we’ve shown that investing in our communities and in each other is how we create a thriving, equitable, and joyful democracy. Your support, dedication, and belief in what we’re building made all of this possible. THANK YOU! Here’s to celebrating how far we’ve come - and to all that is ahead. Let’s keep building, engaging, and being the ones together. This moment represents a critical opportunity to invest in the people and communities that make up South Carolina as we reaffirm our commitment to remove barriers to local civic participation and foster a culture of joyful and celebrated civic engagement. Turn to page 17 to see what we have planned for 2025 and this year’s theme. We’re making an exciting and strategic decision: we’re dedicating our programs exclusively to South Carolina. And, not to be too cliche as we close out a year of “engaging together” - we’ve gone from “engage” to “engaged” - we’ve put a ring on the Palmetto State! None of this would have been possible without YOU. To our Local Champions Council, volunteers, community partners, donors, local businesses, youth leaders, and every person who engaged with our work and community this year - THANK YOU! Since our inception, we’ve built partnerships and power across the Southeast. As we reflect back, and honoring this moment we are in, it’s clear where we need to engage deeper.

with immense gratitude & excitement,

cate mayer founder & director

Turn the page to see what we did in 2024 !

Launch Go Vote SC, a hub for nonpartisan voter education, information, and resources. (2023)

Host community advocacy rally in Charleston, bringing State House advocacy to the Lowcountry. (2023)

Host 51 events, register 453 voters (96% under 25 years old), two percentage point increase in municipal election voter turnout in Charleston County from 2019 (2023)

Mingle with Your Mayoral Candidates Community Celebration (2023)

welcome

what to expect

Favorite Photos............................................ Highlights..................................................... in our yearbook you’ll find:

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Best of Be The Ones: Superlatives.................. Engaging Students at the College of Charleston South Carolina Young Voter Summit Get Out the Vote Voter Stories Let’s Build a Soccer Field Canvasser Waze Give Her the Gavel Your Memories............................................. Connecting Our Years.................................. Our Gratitude.............................................. Community Notes.........................................

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what to expect

class photo dump some of our favorite photos

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Deepening our partnership with CougarVotes, our combined efforts led to registering 896 students through creative, high-energy activations and events Hosted the first-ever campus-wide National Voter Registration Day Celebration in September, engaging 200+ students with registration, voting plans, games, and conversations with community leaders and candidates Turned Early Voting into a campus-wide community celebration, leading a block party-style Stroll To The Polls from campus to the nearest early voting location with signs, music, and high-energy vibes We launched dynamic, student-centered programming strengthening community ties and expanding knowledge and engagement around civic action. A highlight was hosting the Banned Together screening on campus. 140+ students and community members gathered to watch the documentary and participate in a powerful discussion on public education, book bans, and youth organizing & advocacy featuring two students featured in the film. This year was about boosting voter turnout and also building a sustainable, accessible culture of civic engagement, leadership, and advocacy on campus that could last beyond the election cycle. Cougars Vote! Leading the Way in Campus Mobilization We expanded our partnership with the College of Charleston Honors College , Center for Civic Engagement , CougarVotes , and other student groups, to integrate and enhance civic engagement into the fabric of campus life. Training and Investing in Young Leaders Recruited and supported students in voter engagement strategies, including youth-led canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts Trained and supported 31 students as paid relational organizing canvassers, ensuring peer-to-peer engagement and voter mobilization across campus Our presence on campus highlighted the barriers students, especially first time voters, face. Out-of-state students struggled to navigate absentee and vote-by-mail processes. Many didn’t know how to request ballots, meet witness requirements, or mail deadlines. By leveraging partnerships in other states, we provided hands-on assistance helping students complete their absentee ballots across 19 states (including NC, GA, FL, WI, NY). Some wanted to register in SC but lacked the required ID to vote. We launched a Voter ID Program helping them secure SC Voter ID Cards. This effort has sparked a student-led campaign advocating for more accessible voter ID laws ahead of the 2025-2026 legislative session. Identifying Barriers To Participation

highlights highlights

a movement in the making

We hosted the first-ever South Carolina Young Voters Summit in collaboration with SOLVE, bringing together 30 young leaders from across the state for a day designed by and for young South Carolinians.

Through peer-led discussions, interactive workshops, and hands-on trainings, attendees sharpened their organizing & advocacy skills and built community. The SOLVE team broke down systemic barriers using game-based learning models from their 2024 State of the South Report , highlighting how voter disenfranchisement in particular impacts young voters, voters of color, and people with disabilities Courtney, Sam, Isabella, Dylan, and Torrey shared what sparked their local activism & how they sustain their work. Isabella spoke about the emotional toll of advocacy, reminding us of the importance of rest and community Kyle, Sam, and Davis led a training on how to mobilize peers ahead of the election

“I’m motivated to just do something small - that’s better than doing nothing at all.”

One of the most powerful moments came during an interactive workshop where they identified voting challenges - missed

registration deadlines, lack of transportation, ballot confusion. We then asked participants:

“If you had six weeks and a small budget, how would you remove one of these barriers - for yourself and someone else?"

The room buzzed with ideas as they collaborated on imagining creative solutions. But we didn’t just ask them to imagine solutions - we gave them the resources to make it real. Each received a small stipend and support to bring their idea to life, with one condition: part had to help them vote, and part had to help someone else. One hosted a “Let’s Taco ‘Bout Voting” event with free tacos to help make voting plans. Another covered a family member’s transportation to the polls. Another

“I walked in not knowing anyone. I walked out with some new friends and information I needed as an 18-year-old first time-voter.”

used funny doodles to educate peers on local races. Young leaders left the Summit feeling more hopeful, excited, and supported.

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we didn’t just encourage people to vote. we made it impossible to ignore.

We showed up in unexpected places, making voting joyful & social, and ensuring people had the information, support, and confidence to cast ballots. We made voting a shared experience rooted in community, power, & celebration. We took this energy everywhere. Beyond our own events, we went where people were - 85+ festivals, concerts, sporting events, and gatherings. Too often, we were the first to spark a conversation about voting, proving why being in these spaces matters - because too often, no one else is asking. From Popsicle Voting activations to our 8-foot Don’t Ghost The Vote dancing balloon, we made voting accessible and irresistible. We centered the entire voter journey, from registration to casting ballots to ensuring every vote was counted. Ahead of the June primaries, we teamed up with AFFA, Charleston Climate Coalition, Charlestonians for Responsible Development, Charleston Chapters of National Pan Hellenic Council & NAACP, and others to host Tri-County Party to the Polls , bringing 150+ people and 32 candidates & electeds’ together. In August, we launched Friends Vote Together , our GOTV campaign designed to make voting a shared experience. We expanded our paid community canvassing, field mobilization, and relational organizing efforts. We continued expanding Go Vote SC - our digital & print hub for nonpartisan voter education, information & resources. In addition to our Voter Information Cards , we launched three nonpartisan guides: First Time Voters Guide, School Board Voter Guide, and the Local Voters Guide. In October, we launched our Nonpartisan Voter Hotline , connecting local volunteers with neighbors to answer questions, assist with voting plans, & support those facing issues at the polls. We furthered our partnership with NAACP Legal Defense Fund to host their Election Protection Hotline & Poll Monitoring Program , transforming our office into a hub for nonpartisan voter protection & poll monitoring support during early voting and Election Day.

Be The Ones also recruited and supported 27 college students as Election Protection Volunteers , monitoring 54 polling locations ensuring voters could cast their ballots safely and without intimidation.

highlights

She was informed, empowered, and proud - smiling as she sent photos to friends. Karol’s story is why we prioritize meeting people where they are and stay relentless if our efforts to closing the gap between registration and participation. There are thousands of Karols’ needing “someone on the other side of the table” to ensure they’re not just registered but an active participant in shaping their future. On Tuesday, June 11th our team took Karol to cast her very first vote, at the age of 64. Our volunteers checked and confirmed she was both eligible and registered. We answered her questions and provided our First Time Voters Guide, helping her learn how how to find her polling location, review a sample ballot, and understand the primary election process. We met Karol while tabling at an event in June. As a returning citizen, she wasn’t sure if her voting rights had been restored. She recalled registering with another organization last year but never received confirmation and assumed she wasn’t eligible as a justice-impacted individual.

On October 30th, Kylie, a first-time Be The Ones Community Canvasser, began her first shift at the College of Charleston. During the canvass, Kylie approached Mary Kathryn, a fellow CofC student, who believed she was not eligible to vote without a South Carolina driver’s license. Kylie shared that having a driver’s license was not a requirement to vote in SC and talked through the state’s voter ID requirements.

This story highlights the power of our community canvassing program - equipping young leaders with the knowledge and tools to meet voters where they are and ensure voices like Mary Kathryn’s are heard. Early Voting site, where she obtained her voter registration ID card and proudly cast her first vote! Shortly after their conversation, our team accompanied Mary Kathryn to the Charleston County

Scan this QR code to hear Kylie and Mary Kathryn tell their story!

highlights highlights highlights highlights

Our experience shows the most effective way to teach civic participation and advocacy is through action. We’ve developed interactive learning experiences that put young people in the driver’s seat of real-world advocacy. In partnership with the Hispanic Alliance Student DREAMers Program , we designed a hands-on simulation where students advocated for a new soccer field hoping to bring the state championships to their town. Working in teams, students: Defined roles - who leads, strategizes, documents, who presents Crafted their “why” - why this matter beyond soccer Leveraged advocacy tools - using resources like social media, local businesses, and funding Pitched their plan - how to win over the community and Town Council By tackling a real-world challenge, students built leadership skills, gained confidence, and learned how to navigate power structures. Whether fighting for a soccer field, school policy, or human rights, they walked away with the tools to organize, advocate, and create real change.

Be The Ones was one of 13 organizations selected for the Center for Artistic Activism’s Unstoppable Voters 4x4 Program , a four-week experiment testing bold, creative ideas that could boost excitement, access, and safety in civic participation. In partnership with Public Wise and Fair Count , we tackled a critical challenge:

How can we make voter outreach safer for canvassers, especially in high-risk areas?

Our solution: Canvasser Waze , a real-time reporting tool helping local organizers track & share safety concerns, flag hostile locations, and identify local businesses that could serve as “safe spaces.” The crowdsourced map also featured audio messages from trusted local voices and gamified features to make participation interactive and fun. Piloted in NC, SC, MS, and GA, Canvasser Waze reached 200+ households and 35 businesses, collecting critical data on voter outreach safety. This project exposed real risks and laid the groundwork for future innovations in civic tech and voter protection. By integrating insights from this pilot, we can refine and scale tools that empower canvassers to mobilize their communities safely and effectively.

highlights

advancing judicial diversity and transparency in south carolina

With the General Assembly set to elect the next Supreme Court Justice in June 2024 - and every legislator up for election in November - we saw a critical opportunity to connect the dots: electing state lawmakers shapes our courts for years to come. We launched the Give Her The Gavel campaign to bring public attention to the courts, advocate for gender diversity, and expose a judicial selection process long hidden from view. State courts shape our daily lives, ruling on fundamental rights like voting access, housing, healthcare, and environmental safety. Yet in 2023, South Carolina became the only state in the nation without a woman on its Supreme Court - a stark reminder that our courts must reflect the people they serve. When landmark human rights cases reached the Court, South Carolinians started asking: “ how did we get here?” Many did not know that South Carolina is one of just two states where justices are chosen by the legislature, not voters.

what we did: Mobilized 600+ South Carolinians from 31 counties to sign our Give Her The Gavel Community Letter urging legislators to prioritize gender diversity on the court Helped constituents send hundreds of emails to their legislators (s everal lawmakers said it was the first time they’d heard from voters about a judicial election) Hand-delivered copies of the letter to all 170 members of the General Assembly on the morning of the vote Hosted panels and discussions to educate communities on judicial selection, power structures, and the impact on our rights why it matters:

When courts are shaped by legislators, judicial diversity is only as strong as the leaders we elect.

This campaign wasn’t just about a single election. It was about shifting how people see power. This campaign made people pay attention - and that alone is powerful. Constituents saw how their voices could influence decisions at the highest level. And, yes, they gave her - Justice Letitia Verdin - the gavel.

highlights

DJ ZAY POLA AT DARTY TO THE POLLS

TINY MIC SERIES

meeting street academy Carpool Line

GOTV BALLOON GHOST

BE THE ONES & SC VOTING RIGHTS COALITION

Patti o’Furniture & Maya Morrill

REP. JERMAINE JOHNSON

GOLF CART PARADE

COUGAR VOTES

superlatives superlatives

ATL COMEDY & CONVERSATIONS

for a future we can sing about KARAOKE

DONUT FORGET TO VOTE

Coroner Bobbi Jo O’NeAL

BE THE ONES

superlatives superlatives

“Going to the events is fun because there’s always activities and art for us to do. I registered to vote with this card and I’m going to keep it until I turn 18 and take it to vote for the first time.” - Grant, age 8

SCHOOL BOARD VOTER GUIDE

election protection!

"Standing in the SC State House, delivering letters for Give Her the Gavel, being reminded of the power of collective action. Every letter represented a voice calling for change and we’re proud to play a small role in amplifying them.” - Kyle Brantley & Samuel Grant

memories memories

“The training session we had with Be The Ones and partners -Alpha Kappa Alpha, League of Women Voters & other power houses. We networked & collaborated together for one common cause. We were one accord making our community a better place. Diverse, inclusive, and unified. WOW!!! Awesome team. I was proud to be a part of such a positive collective body to make changes that would impact our neighborhoods.” - Dorothy Jenkins

- Lila CofC Student & Honors Engaged Leader

President, NAACP Charleston Branch

“Working with Be the Ones in the last days of early voting and election day, when Be The Ones, LDF, and several coalition partners met in Charleston to run our in-person command center from their office. A chaotic few days filled with calls to election administrators, checking in with volunteers, and troubleshooting reported issues. But the team was amazing, and we meet some of the college students who were voting and poll observing for the first time!” - Terin Patel-Wilson Legal Defense Fund

memories memories

1,200+ first-time voters in the November Election 96% voter turnout among voters under 30 who we registered in our First Time Voters Program , closing the registration-to-participation gap

leaders under 25 for the inaugural South Carolina Young Voters Summit 30 158 gatherings where participants reimagined their roles in shaping communities and flexed their local civic power voter information, equipping individuals with the resources and tools to advocate, lead, and cast their votes securely and confidently 403k pieces of nonpartisan

of local leaders 31 t and Election Day 27 t

college students to serve in election protection and poll monitoring roles during early voting

vote-by-mail ballots 19 d n

paid relational organizer canvassers, 92% were under 30, furthering our commitment to building a coalition

states in casting absentee and

We’re doubling down on what we know works and boldly exploring new ways to make civic engagement feel irresistible, joyful, and celebrated.

2025 priorities:

The road ahead may bring challenges, but our commitment to you has never been stronger. Our vision is clear: our communities are strong, resilient and thriving because our systems and structures are built to support equitable access to resources & opportunities. Justice for all is achieved. Together, let’s keep building healthier communities, a more equitable democracy, and expanding our power across South Carolina. Here’s to 2025 - the year we connect. We can’t wait to see you out there! We will build community power by fostering creative, dynamic, inclusive spaces where civic participation is social, accessible, and irresistible building a culture of joyful & celebrated civic engagement We will continue to expand opportunities for young South Carolinians to lead, vote, and shape the future of their communities advancingyoung peoples’ power We will advocate for and organize around policies that protect voting rights, expand ballot access, and ensure fair and reflective representation in South Carolina championing pro-democracy policy

connecting our years

community partners:

ACLU of South Carolina Agape Table Alliance for Full Acceptance (AFFA) Alliance for Justice Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Gamma Xi Omega Chapter Banned Together Black Voters Matter Charleston Area Justice Ministry Charleston Climate Coalition Charleston Pride Charleston School of Law Charlestonians for Responsible Development Citizen Better Citizens Revival The Civility Initiative at the College of Charleston College of Charleston Center for Civic Engagement College of Charleston Honors College Comedy and Conversations

South Carolina NAACP Youth & College Division South Carolina Voting Rights Coalition Stono Park Elementary School Student DREAMers Alliance Together SC QT Camp VoteRiders We Are Family Womens’ Rights and Empowerment Network

funders & donors: 138 Individual Donors

The Center for Artistic Activism Clean and Prosperous America Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina The Grove Action Fund Public Wise

Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina SOLVE / Southern Coalition for Social Justice Piece By Piece Strategies Way To Rise YPAC (Blue Future) local businesses: Bevi Bene Brewing Company Commonhouse Aleworks D’Allesandro’s Pizza DJ Zay Pola DJ Switchburg The Drop In E. Fornadel Creative Evolve Mobile Movement Feminist Magic Market HK Balloons Itinerant Literate Books Jared Johnson The Limelight Theatre Local 616

CougarVotes Divas on Tap Donor Organizer Hub Fair Count Families Against Book Bans (FABB) First Wives Karaoke

Future Coalition Hispanic Alliance

Holy City Vintage Market League of Women Voters Lowcountry LevelUP Medical University of South Carolina

Meet Us On The Frontlines NAACP Charleston Branch NAACP Goose Creek Branch NAACP Legal Defense Fund National Civic Holidays Coalition National Panhellenic Council, Charleston Chapter National Voter Education Week Palmetto Hope Network

Park Circle Pride Power the Polls The Ripple Fund Run for Something Civics

Odd Duck Market The Paper Canopy Queer Haven Books

S&M Mansion Stoner’s Pizza

Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry South Carolina Healthy Families Coalition South Carolina Housing Justice Network

Tamales by Guadalope The Wandering Harvest

yearbook ads our gratitude

favorite

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community notes

Be The Ones is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization building healthier communities, a more equitable democracy, and expanding power by removing barriers to civic participation across South Carolina.

@LetsBeTheOnes www.BeTheOnes.org

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