IGNITE's Blog

The constant assault on our Black community must stop. At IGNITE, we support the #BlackLivesMatter movement. We will do what it takes to amplify the voices of Black women and men of all ages, and especially our IGNITE program participants and alumni who are leading protests and making concrete recommendations for systemic change in response to the deep racism in this country. We stand in solidarity with our youth leaders and their solutions. 

After working at a law firm for six weeks, Zeenat Yahya realized she wanted to do something different. She applied to work for IGNITE, and after serving as the California Program Coordinator, headed off to grad school to study Education Policy in Washington state. Zeenat wanted to stay engaged with IGNITE, so she transitioned into the role of Seattle Fellow in 2017. 

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved in politics by working on a campaign, we’re here to help! Working on a campaign is a great way to get more women in elected office and can be a really rewarding experience regardless of the outcome. There are a lot of moving parts to a campaign, so we’ve created this guide to help you campaign like a boss. 

As a child of Ethiopian immigrants, IGNITE Minnesota Fellow Raie Gessesse saw firsthand how politics can impact people. “My life has been a product of policy decisions and always had a relationship to how political leaders have structured society,” she shares. Though she never saw herself running for office when she was younger, attending IGNITE events showed her that to make a change in her community, she had to get political. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Or make a change in the political process? From legislative aide to advocacy work, there are so many different ways you can work in politics. Here are some tips to help you jump-start your career in politics. 

Born in Jordan to Palestinian parents who were forced to flee their country, Ayah Ziyadeh says being an activist is in her blood. Fueled by her passion for making a difference in the world, she began participating in protests at the young age of 15 and now, at 23, she’s even more vocal about the changes that need to be made. Ayah is currently IGNITE’s Denver Fellow and has already started a career in politics, currently as a Legislative Aide to Representative Mike Weissman at the Colorado General Assembly. Despite her passion for change, she wasn’t always sure if politics was the path for her. 

With a passion for helping people tap into their hidden power, IGNITE Fellow Alicia Smith wants everyone to know that their civic engagement is crucial to the success of their community. Alicia came across IGNITE when she attended the annual Young Women Run New York conference last year. Upon hearing the call to action, she participated in a College Council hosted by the NY Fellow at the time, and was inspired to become a Fellow herself. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, Alicia wasn’t sure if the Fellowship was for her. She quickly discovered the Fellowship is for anyone who is passionate about creating change. 

“If you want to grow with others who support your personal and professional growth, and be part of an organization that’s changing the face of democracy, apply to be an IGNITE Fellow. Whether you want to be an environmentalist, or an activist, or an event planner, IGNITE will empower you to pursue these interests. IGNITE is right for so many different types of young women.” - Mary Black, IGNITE Fellow, North Carolina

Sara Guillermo is the CEO of IGNITE, bringing to the role over 15 years experience helping young women break into America’s political landscape to become leaders within their communities and beyond.

Deshani has seven years of experience in the marketing field. She has worked primarily at nonprofit organizations, ranging from public charities to educational...