Amid rising concerns about the lack of voter registration resources on Louisiana college campuses, the College Communities of C.A.R.E. is holding the first annual NOLAxNOLA College Showcase on Oct. 6 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at The Broadside. The event seeks to instill a sense of civic engagement and community among college students across New Orleans. 

Louisiana House Bill 506, signed into law on Aug. 1, makes voter registration by nongovernmental groups more difficult and imposes strict penalties if followed incorrectly. Hence, Louisiana college campuses scarcely provide voter registration resources.  

New Orleans college students formed College Communities of C.A.R.E — Collective Action Responsibility Engagement — to improve the community’s well-being, promote civic engagement and create a “community of care.”  

According to the group, building a “community of care” means sharing the responsibility for one another’s well-being.  

“The goal is to have a shared commitment through the students, that we look out for each other in terms of empathy, compassion, mutual respect and safety,” event co-chair Frederick Kusin said. 

“We got to take care of each other, and one way to take care of each other is not only to take personal responsibility for looking out for our friends but also to demand accountability of public officials,” event chair and Loyola University New Orleans professor Joe Givens said.  

Loyola student Samantha Moloughney emphasizes the importance of having a community of care within New Orleans universities. 

“This message that we are all responsible for each other and what happens is extremely important, because in no way should a woman or a girl or anyone be able to leave a bar alone, and walk home alone, stumbling, and no one say anything,” Moloughney said.  

The event hopes to unify students from the many universities based in New Orleans: Tulane University, Loyola University, Dillard University, Xavier University and the University of New Orleans.  

“This is a community city,” Kusin said. “We want to grow that feeling and that culture amongst the students.” 

“It doesn’t matter what school you’re attending. What matters is that wherever you guys go, we want [you] to create a culture of care,” Givens said. 

The NOLAxNOLA College Showcase is College Communities of C.A.R.E.’s inaugural event, part of the NOLAxNOLA ten-day event series celebrating New Orleans culture and history. 

The event will feature live music, a community art wall and voter registration.  

New Orleans-based musicians Sari Jordan, Lyla George, Yung Delirious, Kota Dosa, Planet of Little Green Men and Apricot Jam are set to perform. 

“This concert is more than just entertainment; it’s about providing a platform for student voices and igniting real social change,” according to a College Communities of C.A.R.E press release.  

The NOLAxNOLA College Showcase is partnering with HeadCount, a national nonprofit that advocates for voter registration. Those who register to vote will gain free entry into the event.  

“[The] number one goal is voter registration. Number two is to educate through a fun event the ideology of community organizing [and] community collaboration of students for safety,” Kusin said.  

Loyola student Samantha Moloughney recognizes a need for voter registration resources on Loyola’s campus.  

“I see a lot of people getting discouraged from voter registration because it is confusing. I know I can’t go to my parents about it. We have differing views,” Moloughney said. “With this event, we’re trying to basically encapsulate that. Bring people to this event, help them register to vote and make it fun. It’s not some scary thing.” 

College Communities of C.A.R.E. also hopes to change Louisiana’s historically low voter turnout. 

The 2023 Louisiana primary election only saw a 36% turnout, and the general election saw a 23% turnout. 

“These elections have been pathetic in terms of voter turnout,” Dillard University professor Esmail Ashraf said. “Every person in this country needs to go out and vote to make sure that we are represented. That every person in this country is represented. And then whoever wins, wins. But your vote matters.” 

“We’re not telling folks who to vote for. We’re just saying you have to be a part of this decision,” Givens said. 

College Communities of C.A.R.E. hopes the NOLAxNOLA College Showcase will highlight the importance of New Orleans college students actively participating in shaping a better future through civic engagement. 

“Your generation wants something more. They want a peaceful they want a diverse community. They want a kind of appreciation and respect for diverse community. And they see also that a way of getting there is by participating in the civic debate,” Givens said. “They’re not the leaders of tomorrow; you guys are the leaders today.”