Leslie McGraw is the visionary Founder of the Elbert Williams Voting Corner, a platform dedicated to empowering Black and Brown communities through voter education, civic engagement, and historical awareness. Named in honor of her great-great uncle, Elbert Williams—the first known NAACP member to be killed for his civil rights work—the initiative seeks to honor his legacy by amplifying the voices of the unheard. Leslie is passionate about making complex political processes accessible and helping everyday citizens understand the power of their vote. Through workshops, community events, and digital resources, she continues to inspire change at the grassroots level.
Community Marketing Strategist
Whether you know a lot or a little about social media marketing, you can get the tools you need to meet your personal, professional, or organizational goals. The team at Les Go Social is committed to providing you with a road map to success, while creating a vibrant online presence and building community in the process.
Poet
Ann Arbor Poet Leslie McGraw is the creative inspiration behind the Bookbound Open Mic & Share Poetry Series and the Life By Poetry online community. Leslie’s honors include The Leaven Center’s Eleanor S. Morrison Scholarship for Creative Writing for Social Justice and 4th place Women of World Poetry Competition. She is currently working on a 2nd edition of her debut poetry collection, Emergencies of the Heart, as well as a new chapbook.
Writer
Leslie began sorting out her surroundings through writing at the age of 9. She discovered her voice through the pen, maturing into a performance poet, blogger, writer, and journalist. Today she lends this voice to advocacy, where she is passionate about helping others share their stories of struggle and victory as an empowering tool to restore and strengthen communities.
FOUNDER OF THE ELBERT WILLIAMS VOTING CORNER
My Latest, Greatest Inspiration
A collection of my latest greatest inspirations and influences inspired by the song “You’re My Latest, Greatest Inspiration” by Teddy Pendergrass. These are the folks that inspire me and “just keep on lifting me up now (higher).
Daughter
Zaria Joi
Historian and Artist
Karen Lafreya Simpson
Journalist and Activist
Ida B. Wells-Barnett*
Grandmother
Bertha Louise (Taylor Brown King) Rowry
Great-Grand Uncle and Early Voting Rights Activist