Q&A: Tyronne Walker on Empowering Black Voters and Strengthening Communities

(NEW ORLEANS, LA) Tyronne Walker, an Urban League of Louisiana vice president, believes that fostering partnerships among the Black and Brown communities will boost voter engagement in New Orleans.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Walker owns a consulting firm. After working as the Chief Administrator for the District Attorney’s Office and Communications Director for the City of New Orleans.

How has your personal and professional experience shaped your role at the Urban League of Louisiana?

My background is really critical to prepare me for what I do today. I come from humble beginnings. Being raised in the 9th ward of New Orleans and witnessing hardships, that background helps me to understand the challenges faced by the communities we serve. My work is helping others that come from similar circumstances to achieve success. Having that perspective, upbringing, and experience, absolutely undergirds the foundation of my work.

What are some of the recent initiatives to mobilize Gen Z and millennials?

For the second year in a row, we will execute what’s called the Louisiana black and brown voter mobilization day and for the first time the Divine Nine voter mobilization.

Your new initiative is with the New Orleans chapter of The Divine Nine which is a group of nine recognized Black Greek-letter organizations. What’s the goal?

This initiative brings together Black Greek-letter organizations to boost black voter registration and education. Each Greek organization will have its own activations, investments and training that they have to do individually but also collectively amongst each other to not just get the people to vote, but the bigger goal is to build the capacity of Black organizations and strengthen their influence.

What do you have to say to anyone that’s a part of marginalized communities, that’s black or brown, that’s young who doesn’t believe that their vote is going to count in this upcoming presidential election?

Think about your grandmother who’s probably a diabetic, and you see her having to take this insulin, and she’s on a fixed income, but she is everything to everybody in your family. Think of your mom not having to work multiple jobs and it’s still not paying her enough. If you don’t want to vote for yourself, vote so that you know somebody running will fight to increase the minimum wage or increase wages overall, so that you know she doesn’t have to work as hard.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.