Washington – Black ladies are sometimes thought-about a important voting bloc, however a brand new initiative goals to dramatically broaden the variety of African American male voters forward of the subsequent presidential election.
Black Males Vote introduced a brand new nationwide marketing campaign Friday to register 1 million Black male voters by November 2024. The group says the "Power in Numbers" initiative shall be its "most bold effort" and can associate with Rock the Vote, Microsoft and the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation Social Justice Coalition. The group unveiled the initiative at a summit that includes Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson and former Maryland Lt. Gov. and Republican Nationwide Committee chairman Michael Steele in the course of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Convention.
"Registering a million Black males to vote has the potential to vary the electoral panorama — domestically, on a state degree, and nationally," mentioned Black Males Vote board member Joe Paul. "It is time for Black males to step up and take our rightful place in serving to to form the way forward for our nation, and the Power in Numbers Initiative is a important first step."
The group is focusing on Black males between the ages of 18-35 and builds on earlier outreach. In 2020, Black Males Vote ran a multi-state digital marketing campaign emphasizing the significance of voting. The group used influencers reminiscent of rapper T.I., actor Marcus Scribner and activist Thelonius Floyd, brother of George Floyd. It additionally ran a collection of public service bulletins that includes a number of NBA gamers.
"The answer to challenges confronted in each group begins with entry to the best to vote," mentioned James Cadogan, govt director of the NBA Social Justice Coalition. "Utilizing our collective voice in our democratic course of is important to reaching lasting change — significantly for many who have been traditionally omitted and left behind."
In accordance with Black Males Vote, African American voters made up roughly 12.5% of the U.S. voters with a file 30 million eligible to vote in 2020, however Black males have largely lagged Black ladies in voting.
In 2016, 64% of eligible Black ladies mentioned they voted, in comparison with 54% of eligible Black males, in response to Pew Analysis Heart.
"As we assist give Black males the instruments essential to take part in our electoral system, our households and communities will profit," Paul mentioned.