In this powerful episode of Voices of Florida House District 14: Love Thy Neighborhood, we sit down with passionate advocate and former Florida House District 16 candidate Rachel Grage, whose tireless work continues to amplify the voices of everyday Floridians. A Jacksonville resident, Rachel has built a trusted platform that educates and empowers her community on the issues that matter most—rising insurance premiums, housing instability, healthcare access, public education, and the preservation of Florida’s natural environment.

Rachel joins host Therese V. Wakefield-Gamble to talk about her first time running for office in 2024, and after not making the mark to secure the seat, what was next for Rachel after all the energy from running as a FL State House District 16 Candidate. Rachel for Florida is where Rachel break down the legislative noise in Tallahassee and offer insight into how citizens can stay informed and get engaged—especially when political gridlock overshadows people’s needs. With a rich background in science, the arts, and decades of family caregiving, Rachel brings a unique blend of intellect, empathy, and lived experience to Florida’s civic discourse.

Now serving as Legislative Liaison for the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Rachel remains an active voice through her Rachel for Florida pages on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube—where she continues to decode policy, connect with constituents, and speak truth to power. Her unwavering mission: show up, speak out, and keep fighting for a Florida that puts people over politics.

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#SundaySelfAwarenessSeries

Today, we’re getting real about why who represents you in Florida House District 14 ain’t just about fancy speeches or election year promises. It’s about your everyday life — your rent, your paycheck, your kid’s school, that clinic down the street, even the potholes on your block.

In FLHD14, we have an overwhelming majority of registered Democrats — mostly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color — but if we don’t show up strong for the August 18, 2026 Primary Election, we could end up with leaders who don’t move like we move, or fight for what we need.

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In this powerful and inspiring episode, Therese V. Wakefield-Gamble, 2026 candidate for Florida House District 14, welcomes civil rights legends Dr. William Ferguson Sr. and Dr. William Ferguson Jr. to reflect on the hard-won battles for voting rights in the Capital of the Confederacy in the State of Virginia—and what those lessons mean for today’s political landscape.

From confronting poll taxes and dismantling voter suppression schemes in Virginia, to leading historic efforts like the Crusade for Voters and serving in the state legislature, the Fergusons share firsthand accounts of the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement. Dr. Ferguson Sr.'s extraordinary 100th birthday recognition underscores the living history that continues to shape America's democracy.

Therese also discusses her own campaign strategy for FLHD14, emphasizing precinct-by-precinct organizing, building a strong voter turnout operation, and the urgent need to educate new voters ahead of the 2026 primary election. Together, they explore innovative voter outreach models like the "90 for 90" initiative, and how to recruit diverse candidates—including Black, rural, and veteran voices—to ensure every community has a seat at the table.

This episode is a testament to honoring the legacy of those who conquered Jim Crow in Virginia and a call to action for a new generation to protect and expand the right to vote.

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Therese V. Wakefield-Gamble is a Jacksonville native, educator, entrepreneur, published author, and faith-based community advocate running to represent Florida House District 14 in 2026. A brain aneurysm survivor who overcame three surgeries without stroke or heart attack, Therese’s resilience and faith guide her bold leadership. She is the Founder and CAO of CRPCNOW (a JSEB-Certified Firm and KIVA Partner), Founder of Putting People and Community First PAC, and Chapter President of the Duval Democratic Environmental Caucus. A dual doctoral candidate at National University (Trauma-Informed Practices and SEL), she is an international speaker featured in H&R Block’s Global Campaign for Financial Literacy. Therese and her husband Earnest Sr., a licensed deacon, lead Motivational Marketplace Mobile Outreach Ministry and are studying to become Kingdom Chaplains. Therese’s campaign prioritizes education, healthcare, housing, economic justice, and voting rights — always with a people-first approach: “From the Neighborhood, For the Neighborhood.”
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