Before he could vote, Jamar Cummings remembers visiting the polls with his grandmother.
She was not able to vote until she was in her 30s, he explained to a room of Poughkeepsie Middle School students last week. But, “she made sure every generation after that were going to be voters.”
Cummings, the City of Poughkeepsie’s chamberlain and a member of the district Board of Education, visited the school’s library as the first guest in the new RISE Lunch & Lead speaker series.
Organized in collaboration with the district’s Office of College Readiness and Workforce Education, the goal of Lunch & Lead is to “inspire students through real-world stories, leadership lessons and career exploration.” The sessions are held during each grade’s lunch period, and students will be able to engage with questions and conversations with the guests.
“At Poughkeepsie Middle School, we believe leadership starts with exposure and opportunity,” Principal Barrington Atkins said. “RISE Lunch & Lead brings meaningful voices into our building and connects learning to the real world, reinforcing our commitment to student growth, character and future success.”
Cummings, a Poughkeepsie High School and Marist College graduate who became the city’s first Black chamberlain in 2024, spoke to the students on topics that ranged from civics to his favorite books and restaurants. He discussed his background, his Poughkeepsie educational experience, what a chamberlain does and what it is like to work with the Mayor, among other topics.
“I think it’s important for you guys to know about voting, but also to encourage your parents to vote,” he explained. “There are issues that impact you.
“When you go home today, ask your parents if they are registered to vote,” he said. “If they say no, tell them to go over to City Hall and talk to Mr. Cummings.”
Cummings called the visit a “full circle moment.” He hoped his visit would provide the students with career exposure for jobs in government.
“The person I am was created here,” he said beforehand. “The person who shows up in the community, my community activism, all that was birthed here in Poughkeepsie Middle and Poughkeepsie High School.”
Before the presentation, College Readiness and Workforce Education Counselor Kelly Semexant introduced herself to the students, noting she plans several additional college and career exposure events for the school through the end of the year, in addition to the continuation of this speaker series.
Assistant Principal for Climate and Culture Danielle Green explained the initiative aligns with the school’s RISE expectations: respect others, be involved in learning, show responsibility and ensure safety. Such career exposure opportunities, she said, are “the key” for engaging students.
“By the time they get to the high school, they should be able to have conversations with counselors about, ‘I’m interested in this, how do you help me move along?’ versus, ‘I don’t know what I’m interested in,’” she said. “RISE Lunch & Lead gives our students the chance to see what’s possible when purpose meets perseverance. By hearing real stories from real leaders, our students are inspired to think bigger, lead with confidence and believe in their own potential — both in school and beyond.”
Several questions were related to current events. Cummings recalled what it was like to live through the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, a moment that is now a part of history for middle school students. 
“You guys are living in moments of history, currently,” he said. “Take a second to just listen and think about what’s happening around you and ask questions. Be inquisitive. … I think you should question everything. Ask as many questions as you can. If you don’t know something, ask until you get the answer.”