Aren’t you tired of scrambling before every election? Trying to find your polling location, understand candidate platforms, decipher ballot positions, and make a plan to vote while balancing life?

Times are changing, social media is trusted more than the news, and the current systems aren’t working anymore. Unless we take matters into our own hands we will continue to have a generation of people who don’t feel represented or motivated to vote…

WHO AM I?

Hi, I’m Arabia, the founder of POGO.

My journey into entrepreneurship and community activism began in the streets of Brooklyn, where my first inspiration was from local hustlers who embodied the ethos of being their boss. Selling candy and art in school and around the neighborhood ignited my entrepreneurial spirit.

I started impact work as a youth organizer, I learned the importance of community and self-reliance. “Hood matriarchs” like my mother, taught me the true meaning of “it takes a village”. These experiences instilled in me the importance of community and social impact, which guides the work I do today.

While, growing up in the projects, taught me many beautiful things it also showed me the harsh realities of life.

Voting was a privilege rather than a given. My perspective on elections evolved significantly during my teenage years. By the time I turned 18 most of my friends in the hood couldn’t even vote. Because of this, I felt the weight of my vote and the responsibility it carried. Despite understanding the value of voting through family and educational influences, I grappled with a sense of disempowerment. The isolation I experienced during voting underscored the stark reality that many in my community had missed out on vital aspects of life. This sense of guilt and loneliness fueled my frustration, prompting me to become an active participant in local politics.

I immersed myself in various community initiatives, from attending council meetings to serving on Student Government, the New York City Housing Authority [NYCHA] NeighborhoodSTAT, and the youth council. I experienced firsthand the transformative power of civic engagement for youth. As an adult, I faced new challenges, juggling absentee ballots and struggling to stay informed while in college.

It was at this intersection of personal experience and a deep-rooted commitment to community empowerment that POGO was born. Through POGO, I seek to bridge gaps, empower communities, and make the democratic process more accessible to all.

WHAT'S POGO?

POGO is building a non-partisan mobile app, simplifying and personalizing civic engagement for young voters.

We strive to eliminate barriers to voting, fostering a transparent and accessible democratic society by providing voter-friendly tools that enable voters to create a plan, learn about aligned candidates, and take action!

Where prevailing mistrust in news, reliance on social media, and the emergence of a digitally-driven civic space have created a disconnect between voters and the political process. POGO envisions a world where traditional political engagement gives way to a digitally-driven civic space, bridging the gap between voters and the political process.

Winners in this world are those adapting to change, engaging a generation often limited to social media activism, while losers risk leaving segments of the population feeling unrepresented.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

POGO's success means local politics takes the spotlight, prioritizing primaries, advocating non-partisan policies, and promoting civic education. Our company aims to create a transparent and accessible democracy, reshaping the political conversation to resonate with all, especially the growing majority of young voters.

I also want to shed light on the challenges we face, as black founders receive less than 1% of Venture Capital funding. Your early support is crucial in breaking down barriers and amplifying our impact. Your support helps our startup thrive and contributes to the broader mission of fostering diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem.

USE OF FUND

We are raising $30,000, which will be instrumental in supporting essential app updates [gamification], marketing initiatives, and enhancing various aspects of our business model for a more impactful customer experience.

CALL TO ACTION

Family and Friends round plays a crucial role in a founder's journey to secure a pre-seed round from venture capitalists. Your support not only provides essential funding but also sends a powerful message to potential investors about the community's endorsement of our project.

We kindly ask for your support through a $30 donation, but any amount you can contribute is sincerely appreciated. If you're able to give more, your generosity will have an even greater impact on our campaign.

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