We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jess Lugo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jess below.

Jess, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Our mission at March to the Polls is to substantially increase electoral participation in underrepresented communities – particularly amongst youth and people of color – through programming that changes the culture of voting and promotes lifelong civic engagement.

In many of the neighborhoods we engage, residents face barriers that limit their ability to vote. For instance, polling locations are often located further from these communities, making it difficult for individuals, especially those without reliable transportation, to get there. Many residents also work multiple jobs and cannot afford to take time off to vote, as they prioritize meeting the immediate needs of their families. These obstacles, combined with a lack of accessible voting information, lead to lower voter turnout.

This matters because, as the Annette Strauss Civic Health Institute points out, communities with high civic participation see tangible benefits like higher employment rates, better physical health, and more responsive governments. In contrast, the neighborhoods we serve often miss out on these benefits simply because voting isn’t as accessible. That’s where we come in. Our programming aims to bridge this gap, ensuring these communities receive the resources, education, and support they need to make their voices heard in every election.

Jess, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Throughout my professional career, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless students, many of whom arrived with a clear vision for their future. They were passionate about a career field, knew exactly what path they wanted to pursue and had identified which colleges offered the best opportunities for success in those fields. I have always admired those students, because that was NEVER my story. I didn’t have much direction when I left high school. I went to 5 colleges in 6 years before I got my degree. Because of the support of some incredible former teachers, I found my way into a high school social studies classroom where I taught for 10 years.

About 5 years into my teaching career, I became really interested in public policy and its impact on my community. That’s when I connected with March to the Polls and began volunteering. I was drawn to the mission and believed that, as a teacher, I could support the cause by encouraging student civic engagement on my campus (and beyond). I realized very quickly that this was more than just a volunteer position – it had become my passion. When the opportunity came to join March to the Polls full-time, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Now, I get to watch a new generation discover the importance of their voice and the power of their vote (and share that sense of empowerment with their peers) — and I truly can’t imagine a more fulfilling job.

While my path wasn’t straightforward, I’m grateful for every twist and turn that led me to where I am today.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think, first and foremost, being a consistent presence in the communities we serve has made an impact. Our work isn’t transactional – it’s about building and nurturing relationships in these school districts and neighborhoods. We don’t show up once and disappear – we come back and continue to support civic growth. We establish student led civic engagement clubs on high school campuses that have a consistent presence in their schools. The partnerships we develop as a result allow us to directly support civic education in schools and ensure we meet the needs of those who are often left out of the voting process.

In addition, our nonpartisan approach to voter education sets us apart. By focusing solely on providing accurate information without pushing a particular agenda, we have built a solid trust with local schools and with the communities we serve.

Finally, we work to expand our impact by connecting with other community-based nonprofits. Collaboration allows us to amplify our efforts and demonstrates our dedication to providing the tools our community needs to participate in their democracy. It’s this combination of integrity, partnership, and mission-driven work that has helped us build a strong reputation.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

The most important thing in my mind is to build strong relationships in the schools and neighborhoods we serve. Being a consistent presence throughout the year helps us stay connected and lets these communities know they can count on us. We encourage everyone we work with to follow us on social media, where we regularly share voter resources and critical election information. Additionally, we send emails to keep our audience informed about upcoming elections, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.

We also highlight the incredible contributions of student leaders and volunteers as often as possible. Recognizing all the hard work they do helps foster a sense of community and loyalty, as people see the impact they are making. Our goal is to be the go-to voter resource for the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and we achieve this by providing factual information, staying in touch with clients, and returning to support voter education and registration efforts multiple times a year. This long-term commitment builds trust and loyalty with the communities we serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marchtothepolls.org
• Instagram: @mttptexas, @svectexas, @mttp.jess
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mttpdfw/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mttptexas
• Twitter: @mttptexas
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marchtothepolls5301

Image Credits

Black and white photo courtesy of Crowley ISD Media Department. All other photos taken by me – Jess Lugo.