As we look toward the future, looking at the youth, we are faced with many questions, especially as uncertainties rise around the United States. However a fundamental question we all ask is: Can leadership truly listen to the people? Can Leadership really listen to Teens? For Younger Alabamians like myself, it sometimes feels like our voices are drowned out in the noise. But change is possible, and from my conversation with candidate for US Senate, Lamont Lavender, I have learned that some are truly striving for change, and are truly wanting the younger voices' opinions. His willingness to hear and value the perspective of young Alabamians truly gives me hope for a future where our voices truly matter.

Mr Lamont Lavender is a candidate for United States Senate right here in Alabama. While he might not be the most known candidate, his story should truly inspire us all. As a combat veteran and lifelong Alabamian, Lavender believes that Alabama demands change, and believes that he can help deliver it.

Lamont’s life has been shaped by service, resilience, and a desire to create opportunity for everyone. After serving overseas in Baghdad and earning a B.S in Business Administration from The University of West Alabama and a MBA from Southern New Hampshire University, he returned home with a mission: to bring “People, Progress & Purpose” to Alabama politics.

“Leadership should listen to everyone, no matter their age or background.” For him politics is not about power, it's about accountability and action.

Lamont’s personal journey reflects the values he brings to his campaign. From overcoming homelessness to serving overseas, he has experienced the struggles many Alabamians face. “I have struggled, and so have most Alabamians. I want to provide steady ground and opportunity for everyone,” he said. 

One of the biggest issues he sees for Alabama is affordability, something he's witnessed people struggle with firsthand. According to Lamont, the state has been mismanaged for decades, and too many families are struggling to make ends meet. He emphasizes his want to work directly with Alabama communities, local organizations and work with people beyond party lines to address the issues on the ground. “We must take care of our home before worrying about someone else's house,” he said, highlighting his philosophy of Alabama first politics.

He further highlighted this narrative as putting ourselves first as he talked about his view on America’s role in the world, and what his stance would be as a US Senator. Drawing from his combat experience, he said that he's seen it up close and personal, “We are bullies if we don't hold ourselves to the same standard we expect of others. Diplomacy and investment in our people, not in greed or aggression, should truly be the guiding factor of our policies.”

One question that still remained with me is how he would approach people in the State of Alabama, a state diverse in political and social ideology, with people from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures. Mr Lamont described his approach as one of unity and listening. “We might bicker, but we must find common ground to work better for all of us,” he said. He emphasizes that being accessible, engaging with youth, and maintaining transparency are critical to building trust and achieving results. As a Democrat in the State of Alabama, Mr Lavender and his message of unity across party lines is truly something you don't always see, and his commitment to the collective good, regardless of personal ideology, became apparently clear during our conversation

What struck me most about Mr. Lavender is his consistent emphasis on listening to the voices of youth and ensuring that opinions from people of all backgrounds are heard. He repeatedly stressed the importance of engaging with everyday Alabamians and understanding their real struggles, rather than being influenced by special interest groups or PACs, a disconnect that he describes as becoming overly common in today's world.

For him, this disconnect is a core problem in government, and his campaign is built on bridging that gap.

As I take away from my conversation with Mr Lavender, I am reminded that no matter what happens around us, people like Mr Lavender, and the millions of other Americans who work day and night to fight for us and our families, from teens to adults, are the reason Alabama and this country still have hope for a better future. I am confident after meeting with people like Mr Lavender that if we, as Americans, fight for the values that truly matter to us, nothing can stand in our way.

To learn more about Mr. Lamont Lavender, I would check out his campaign further at https://lamontlavenderforalabama.com/