Embracing Change: Miss Luzerne County Shakira Jackson's Mission to Elevate Civic Engagement in Northeastern PA

(Luzerne County, PA) In the heart of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a beacon of change has emerged, and her name is Miss Luzerne County, Shakira Jackson. Recently adorned with this prestigious title, Shakira brings not only a fresh perspective but also a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her community. Notably, she has recently earned her Masters degree from Georgetown University, a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement.

Shakira's educational journey has equipped her with valuable insights that she now channels into her mission for increased civic engagement. Her academic achievements, combined with her grassroots community involvement, form a powerful combination that positions her as a leader poised to make a lasting impact on Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Beyond her academic accolades, Shakira's commitment to civic engagement extends to the establishment of her nonprofit organization, "Uniquely Engaged Citizen." This innovative initiative reflects her vision for a more inclusive political landscape, one where the voices of the younger generation, often underrepresented, can be heard loud and clear.

"Uniquely Engaged Citizen" focuses on finding funding for Gen Z candidates aspiring to run for public office. Recognizing the unique perspectives and fresh ideas that young individuals bring to the table, Shakira aims to break down financial barriers that often hinder their political aspirations. By providing support and resources, her nonprofit aims to empower a new generation of leaders who are passionate about making positive changes in their communities.

As Miss Luzerne County, Shakira envisions leveraging her title and nonprofit to create a synergistic approach towards civic engagement. Through partnerships with educational institutions, local businesses, and community organizations, she plans to amplify the impact of "Uniquely Engaged Citizen" and promote the importance of active participation in the political process.

Shakira's dual role as an educated professional and a grassroots community advocate positions her as a dynamic force for positive change. With her newfound title, advanced degree, and nonprofit venture, she seeks to inspire not only the residents of Luzerne County but also the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania to embrace civic engagement as a collective responsibility.

Congratulations, Miss Luzerne County Shakira Jackson, on your well-deserved title and the establishment of "Uniquely Engaged Citizen." As you continue to lead by example, Northeastern Pennsylvania looks forward to a future where civic engagement thrives, and the voices of all, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, contribute to the vibrant tapestry of community growth and progress.

May 2024 bring you success and prosperity, along with a wealth of good fortune in your journey at Miss Pennsylvania.

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I can't thank Shakira enough for sharing thisg. You can learn more about her by checking out her interview with us on Section 36.

There's a New Miss Steel City in Town

Release from Miss Steel City

On April 2nd, 2022 the city of Pittsburgh welcomed their new Miss Steel City PA 2022, also known as Shakira Unique Jackson. Jackson recalls going with her mom to vote in West Philadelphia and noticing an age difference.

"You would see more seniors," she said. She infrequently saw younger adults staffing the polling locations" that is when she knew her social change journey was just beginning. 

Jackson is a senior studying history-political science and pre-law at the University of Pittsburgh, and her social impact initiative is "inspiring the next generation of voters." Jackson has worked very hard these past few years to increase voter turnout on her campus and in the Pittsburgh and Bradford area. Jackson's first-time as a poll worker was in 2020 as part of a national measure by the Campus Vote Project, a nonpartisan group that works to reduce barriers to student voting on college campuses. 

In doing so, Jackson, who is a Black and Italian American, joined a diverse group of thousands of younger Americans who stepped in as poll workers across the country during early voting and on Election Day.

According to the FiveThirtyEight politics survey with Ipsos of more than 8,000 Americans, people between 18 and 34 are less likely to have faith in our political system, but Jackson plans to change this with her social impact initiative.

Jackson currently serves as the President of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford's Student Voting Coalition and has hopes to not only increase voter turnout but create diligent young leaders who understand the purpose behind fair redistricting maps and the power voting yields. "One of the prominent issues with voter education is the lack of knowledge," Jackson said. 

With the help of the Miss Pennsylvania organization, Jackson intends to reach a different audience and help citizens become aware of additional resources that could help increase the number of people educated about voter education. Jackson also hopes to increase the number of volunteers both within the Miss Pennsylvania organization and at the voting polls while also inspiring the next generation of voters to become civically engaged through the arts. 

Miss Steel City emphasized that expression and education is the answer to solving social issues and wants others to care about this issue because voting impacts everybody regardless of one's social status. 

One of the steps Jackson plans to take when she becomes Miss Pennsylvania is to create her own voting curriculum for educational institutions to utilize. Miss Steel City Shakira Jackson believes that communities of interest deserve to be represented fairly. Miss Steel City wants all higher education institutions to be considered a community of interest, given its importance to helping young voters create a pattern of lifetime voting and do their duty as American citizens. 

The city of Pittsburgh is proud to have such a strong, diligent and inspiring youth advocate, and we can not wait to see all of the work and service she pursues.