By: Jatavian Walker
(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University junior Khalilah Karriem has been named to the 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. The award honors her leadership in promoting nonpartisan civic engagement through voter registration, education and turnout initiatives at JSU in 2024.
Karriem, a junior political science major, said her passion for civic engagement began at an early age, shaped by a family where advocacy and democratic participation were part of everyday conversations.
“Accepting this award is deeply meaningful, not just for me, but for the legacy of public service that runs in my family,” Karriem said.
As president of JSU’s NAACP chapter, she follows in the footsteps of her brother, a former chapter leader, and her father, a state lawmaker and former city councilman.
“I’m proud to stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I’m equally inspired by the students, faculty, and staff who work alongside me to keep our campus civically engaged,” she said. “From weekly voter registration drives with the NAACP to hosting debate watch parties, mayoral forums and Strolls to the Polls on Election Day, we’ve built a movement rooted in education, energy and empowerment. This honor belongs to all of us.”
In 2024, more than 700 students cast ballots at JSU’s campus precinct — including many first-time voters — and over 300 students newly registered to vote. Karriem’s leadership helped drive this record-setting turnout and foster a stronger culture of civic participation among Jackson State students.
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge promotes nonpartisan civic learning and student voting engagement at more than a thousand campuses across the country.
“Whether they hosted nonpartisan voter registration drives or early voting celebrations, the students honored today made sure their peers did not sleep in on Election Day,” said Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
“With 100,000 local elections happening across the country in 2025, ALL IN students continue to ensure that everyone on their campuses has the information they need to cast their ballot,” she said. “The 232 Student Voting Honor Roll honorees lead by example, making nonpartisan voter participation a lifelong habit for themselves and their peers.”
Byron D’Andra Orey, Ph.D., a political science professor at JSU and president of the Southern Political Science Association said he nominated Karriem without hesitation and without telling her.
“Her impact speaks for itself. She leads with purpose, consistency and a genuine commitment to empowering others,” Orey said. “Whether she’s registering voters in the student center or creating space for meaningful political dialogue, Khalilah is building something lasting on campus, and it’s the kind of leadership that deserves to be honored.”
Karriem also serves as senate pro tempore for the JSU’s 79th Student Government Association administration, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and participates in I.D.E.A.L. Women (Intelligent, Dignified, Elegant, Ambitious Leaders), an organization dedicated to leadership, service and scholastic achievement at JSU.