The Leadership, Educational and Development Speaker Series (L.E.A.D.) at Alabama State University took on a powerful tone as broadcast journalist and political commentator Roland Martin engaged students in an inspiring and thought-provoking dialogue on Oct. 3.

Held in the Vivian Watts DeShields Auditorium in the Ralph David Abernathy Hall, the event focused on empowering students to take control of their stories and their communities, particularly through the lens of media and political engagement.

The L.E.A.D. series aims to challenge traditional lectures by creating a space for interactive discussions with influential figures from across the country. This year’s theme, “Empowering Student Leaders for Success,” provided a fitting backdrop for Martin’s dynamic address, which encouraged students to claim their voices and vote in every election.

Through his YouTube series, Martin centers Black voices and perspectives, explaining how his platform differs from mainstream media. He also emphasized the importance of Black journalists and the need for Black communities to control their own narratives.

“We have to control our own story. I just don’t believe in asking someone that doesn’t look like us, ‘Can you please cover us?’ What we focus on, others don’t,” Martin said. “When you are watching what we do, we’re talking to Black political scientists, Black educators, Black people in Congress, Black generals, Black doctors. I’m not trying to explain to somebody why we cover the stuff we cover, the audience gets it. And that’s the difference when you center Blackness. When we are the primary focus, as opposed to being second or third, it confuses outsiders.”

Martin also explained the immense influence of media in shaping the world’s power structures.

“Media controls the narrative, media thrives the narrative. In fact, the media is the second most powerful force in the world behind the military,” Martin said. “If you look at any pool anywhere in the world, it controls the guns first and the media second. Which is why you can’t overlook how vital the narrative is.”

Encouraging students to be mindful consumers and creators of content, Martin challenged them to think critically about the media in which they engage.

“I need all of you who are sitting here to understand, when you are consuming content, you need to be thinking about who is deciding what you see. Every single person here needs to be mindful of what you share, who you share and what you are disseminating because you don’t understand how that’s being received.”

He emphasized the role Black Americans play in shaping popular culture, saying, “We as Black folks, we are America’s pacemaker, we are America’s trendsetters. Understand when we are talking about culture, music, dancing, we are literally driving daytime television.”

Turning to the political arena, Martin urged the students to stay engaged at every level of government, no matter who represents their district.

“Politics is about constituencies. That’s how politics works,” he explained. “You might live in a district that’s represented by a white Republican, but you are still a constituent just like somebody Black with a Black politician. We can’t check out of a process and say, ‘I didn’t vote for you,’ because when the election is over, we are still constituents.”

Martin also called on students to hold politicians accountable, especially those representing historically Black institutions like the university.

“You are students at Alabama State. This is a state institution, and folk who should be fighting for Alabama State should not just be Black members of the Alabama legislature,” Martin said. “You have to be willing to challenge white politicians at the state capitol who are Republican and call them out by saying ‘You should have the same attention for Alabama State that you have for the University of Alabama and as you have for Auburn.’”

He closed his remarks with a powerful reminder about the importance of voting.

“If you want to understand Black voting power, Black voting means Black power. There’s no elected official anywhere in America if Black people aren’t voting in significant numbers, they’re not going to pay attention to us, but that does not happen if we don’t show up,” Martin said. “We have too many folks who are checking out of this process because they voted one time and said nothing changed. That to me is absolutely crazy.”

The event concluded with Martin receiving gifts from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a gift and certificate were presented to him on behalf of the university by the university’s Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Malinda Swoope, Ph.D., and university President Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D.

Reflecting on Martin’s remarks, Aarin Carver, 2024-25 Miss ASU, said, “For one, we have to control our own stories. As African Americans, we have to take the time to come together as one and write our own stories and not let people mistell them. Number two, understand your mission and then you will succeed. Number three, the media controls the narrative, so it’s our job to show up and show out and be intentional with everything that we do. Number four, be very mindful of what you share, who you share it with and what you say because you don’t know how it’s being received. And number five, if you do not use your power, then no one will listen to you. Voting is power.”

Students and attendees left the event energized and inspired.

“I felt so great to hear him speak and break everything down, not only for us but for Gen Z, the younger generation,” Joann Walters said. “Whether you get out and vote or not, these changes will affect you! Change is possible if we get out there and make it happen. Sitting and complaining isn’t helping. We have to vote at every level.”

Senior political science major Laquann Wilson appreciated Martin’s breakdown of the political process.

“There’s a domino effect when it comes to politics. Local elections are just as important as national elections, and no one ever thinks about that. I enjoyed how Mr. Martin broke everything down so that students can realize the only way to get more of us in these positions is to vote on every level of government.”

Sophomore Zorah Taylor added, “Roland Martin was very enlightening and encouraging. He helped me to see that this election may be huge and very important, but the best approach is to take small steps. I felt more confident in speaking up about voting and relating it to my peers.”