When we're taught history, it's done so in a way that makes you think there's been much time between the past and the present. Intentional black and white photos and taking our current livelihood for granted are tactics that enforce this illusion. It's been 63 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to deliver his famously recognized "I Have a Dream" speech. Today, his granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King, who recently turned 18 years old, stepped into the voting booth to cast her ballot for the very first time during the 2026 midterm elections.
For Yolanda, stepping behind the curtain was a deeply emotional and personal milestone. "It was so rewarding, such a full circle moment," King tells GU. "I remember when I was little, I didn't really understand that I couldn't vote yet. My parents had to break the news to me that I was going to have to wait until I was 18. In my mind, 18 was too long, so to compromise, they would give me the voting sticker at the end and I’d pretend like I voted. Before, my vote was represented through my parents, friends, and family. Now, I can actually go and speak for myself."
Only 63 years have passed, yet we’re left asking is the dream still being fulfilled? GU chatted with Yolanda about what it felt like to bring her family’s civil rights legacy to the ballot box, prioritizing mental wellness amidst political noise, and pushing Gen Z to demand real accountability from our leaders beyond election season.
ESSENCE GU: Between graduating high school, making your debutante debut, and now starting your freshman year at college, you’ve hit so many big milestones back-to-back. How has this transition into adulthood shaped your perspective as you step into the voting booth?
Yolanda Renee King: The debutante was such a beautiful initiation into adulthood, and following that was my graduation, matriculating to university, and now casting my first vote. Experiencing all of these milestones back-to-back has been such a meaningful journey. I really love the traditions and rituals of the Black community. Learning how to navigate this world as a Black woman and stepping into Black womanhood is something so special. Moving away for college and building my own "home away from home" has taught me the importance of community and having a voice. Casting my ballot today felt like the natural next step in stepping into my own power as an adult.
GU: Midterm elections often see lower voter turnout compared to presidential years, especially among young people. How do you explain the importance of the midterms to your peers?
YRK: Midterm elections are so important because they act as a reflection point for where we are as a country. A lot of us in university just finished our midterm exams. In school, you wouldn't just disregard your midterm exams and only try on the final, because your performance on the midterms impacts your overall grade. The same principle applies here: we need to take midterm elections just as seriously. Presidential elections are the "big final," but you always need to take baby steps to assess where you are, check the political climate, and see what needs improvement. It defeats the notion that only every four years matters. Midterms are another opportunity to voice your opinion in the middle of a presidency, so why not take it?
GU: Gen Z is known for action over apathy, but election cycles can be exhausting. How can young activists stay motivated and avoid burnout during these long seasons?
YRK: We really need to take breaks. It’s unrealistic to keep going without stepping away, whether that’s taking a social media pause, having a mental health day, or doing something that brings you genuine joy, like music or reading. In order to show up and be your best, you have to recharge. For me, spending time with the people who fulfill me and build me up—like going home to see my family or watching a movie with friends—is how I reset. I also love that Gen Z embraces hobbies. Whether it’s taking a ballet class or diving into something creative, nurturing and healing that inner child is essential while we work on changing the world.
GU: How do you see your grandfather’s vision connecting to your experience as a first-time voter today, and how is Gen Z carrying that legacy forward?
YRK: Honestly, he would probably be disappointed in the world my generation has inherited, but he would also be so proud to see how vocal our youth are. All over the world, you see student-led movements proving that Gen Z is a force to be reckoned with. We often get a reputation for being the "lazy generation" or facing a literacy crisis, but people forget to ask who manufactured those circumstances. Gen Z is outspoken because social media gives us instant access to information. It’s similar to the Civil Rights Movement when televisions first entered people's homes, seeing the horrors of segregation on screen caused a major awakening. Today, access to information through our phones is causing that same kind of awakening and driving real change.
GU: Voting is step one, but what happens next? How can young voters make sure elected officials actually hold up their end of the bargain after election day?
YRK: Voting doesn't mean we just sit back in our chairs and go on autopilot until the next presidential election. We have to hold politicians accountable and give them feedback—both when they are doing something we like and when they fall short on promises. That means protesting, writing letters, calling representatives, and staying vocal. During the Civil Rights Movement, when my grandfather wanted legislation passed, the movement had to organize and demonstrate to give leaders the push to act. Everyday people need to communicate with leaders about what’s working and what isn’t. Communication is key in politics, not just within the White House, but from the people to the leadership.