Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis with students. (Yerimiah Evans/FAMUAN)
Students filled the H. Manning Efferson Student Union on Nov. 18 for “Meet Your Legislators Day,” an interactive panel designed to break down the realities of Florida politics and give students direct access to the legislators who represent them.
The event brought together state Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis , state Rep. Rashon Young and state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani. The three lawmakers from Orlando are focused on fostering the next generation and building a bench of leaders to come behind them.
The panel, hosted by student organizers, brought dialogue centered on civic literacy, political advocacy and the importance of young voters in state decision-making. Legislators fielded questions on defying the status quo and the challenges that shape policy decisions in Tallahassee.
Young, a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, is a strong advocate for funding historically Black colleges and universities and emphasized the importance of continued investment in institutions like FAMU.
“I am very adamant about funding for HBCUs,” Young said. “Making sure that our schools get that adequate and appropriate funding that they deserve is extremely important to me, and FAMU is a great example of that.”
Young also urged students to recognize their political influence and to push back against voter apathy, which he described as the biggest barrier to progress.
“The largest block of voters right now is the apathetic voter,” he said. “The person who says, ‘My one vote doesn’t matter.’ We all have to make that decision that it does.”
Eskamani echoed that message while encouraging students to understand the systems that shape their lives. She noted that many young people feel excluded from the political process because the structure was designed to be inaccessible.
“When people say the system is broken, I’m like, oh no, it was meant to be this way,” she said. “If you’re not engaged in understanding how the system works, it will continue to be designed to ignore you.”
Eskamani reminded students that campuses have long been catalysts for major social movements.
“Some of the most historic moments in American history started on college campuses,” Eskamani said, citing the civil rights movement and anti-apartheid organizing. “Your voice is so desperately needed right now.”
Davis used her remarks to challenge students to step into their political power sooner rather than later. She referenced the role young people played in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
“They were your age,” she said. “I’m expecting great things from your generation now. You don’t get the luxury to say, ‘I’ll figure it out once I graduate.’ I’m expecting you to join me on this battlefield now.”
The event closed with a Q&A session, where students asked about policy priorities, voting rights and how to get involved at the Capitol. Lawmakers emphasized that legislative change often requires both persistence and collaboration.
As Young told the room, “You are our accountability partner. You are our motivation. You are the next generation of leaders.”
Attendees and legislators at the event. (Yerimiah Evans/FAMUAN)