Who to Watch: Carlos Pollard Jr.

Carlos Pollard Jr approaches each new project with one quote in mind: 'Action over words, dreams over destiny, community over everything.' Meet this 23-year-old policy fellow and person to watch.

Carlos Pollard Jr.’s passion runs deep for civic engagement and helping people in marginalized communities. The New Orleans native is a social entrepreneur who considers himself a change-maker centering Black and brown people.

At 23 years old, Pollard is a regional census and redistricting fellow at the Power  Coalition where he monitors and intervenes in the 2021-2022 redistricting process at every level.

He says he approaches each project with one quote in mind: “Action over words, dreams over destiny, community over everything.”

Meet Carlos Pollard Jr., one of The Drum’s eight persons to watch in 2022.

Moves made since 2019: 2019: New Orleans Mayor Nonprofit Fellow - Action New Orleans, 2020: Urban League of Louisiana - Civic Engagement Intern, Center for Racial Justice Student Advisor, Congressional Campaign Louisiana District 2, 2021: Vaccine Equity Project and Redistricting Fellow.

What to expect in 2022 from you: Louisiana Special Session - Advocating for Fair Maps, Volunteer Coordinator for Power Coalition for Equity and Justice - Engaging the Youth Civically, Applying for Law School

Personal resolution for 2022: Continue to build community while applying for law school.

Life/business motto: Remain in fearless pursuit of whatever I put my mind to. 

Business resolution: Opening my own statewide nonprofit.

What is your #1 priority? Right now, my number one priority is engaging people statewide to actively participate in the redistricting process.   

What do you want people to remember/know most about you? I want people to know that everything I do is for the community. I genuinely love my community and see the potential in getting the justice we all seek.

Role Models: My role models consist of my mother, Rev., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X.

What has been a deciding moment or an experience that pushed you forward--especially during the coronavirus pandemic? A deciding moment I have had that pushed me during the pandemic would have to be finding innovative ways to engage my community in civic and social justice work.

What music are you listening/dancing to? Drake, Lil Baby, Jay Z, and Giveon 

What are you reading? By Any Means Necessary by Malcolm X

What’s entertaining you? Grownish

Social media: IG: carlospollardjr

LinkedIn: carlos-pollard-jr

Facebook: carlos.pollard.3154