Vote HBCU’s “Say it Louder” tour, in coalition with Howard University organizations, held a voter registration session and panel last week. The registration event guided students in making informed voting decisions and got them registered, while the panel covered voting rights history and social disparities.
The Aug. 21 event took place on the Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library (UGL) rooftop, followed by a “Vote HBCU: A Seat at The Table” panel in the Blackburn Digital Auditorium.
Vote HBCU is a nonpartisan program dedicated to promoting civic engagement and educating HBCU students on the power of their voices. This year, Vote HBCU is hosting events across 10 HBCU campuses.
“We are a community of HBCU alumni who built Leaders ‘Impact HBCU’ to change the world,” Tevon Blair, co-founder of XceLeader and leader of the Vote HBCU program, said.
“Typically, when you think about voter registration, you picture a table set up. People walk by, they go away. For Vote HBCU, we merged the HBCU culture and civic engagement into one,” Blair continued.
Organizations such as New to the Mecca, NAACP Howard University chapter, Collegiate 100, HUSA Senate, Essence SOC council, Spotlight Network, LOQSC, Prime SOB Council and Cascade among others partnered with Vote HBCU.
Mocorah Lewis, fall 2024 Vote HBCU fellow representing Howard University, is a sophomore sociology major and legal communications minor from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Lewis planned the voter registration and the panel.
She explained that the event’s purpose was to inspire students on campus.
“The aim for this event is to make students motivated, engaged and know that they have the power to vote,” she said. “We are the next leaders, and if we want to make changes, the closest way to do it is to change our policies and the way to do that is to vote.”
Lewis is not the only one stressing the importance of voting. Jordan Williams, New to the Mecca founder and a junior political science major from Jacksonville, Florida, expressed New to the Mecca’s reason to partner with Vote HBCU.
“We’re out here today supporting and encouraging people to get registered because that is most important,” Williams said. “We understand how important every person’s vote is and now we want Howard University students, most importantly HU-28, to feel the importance of voting as well.”
New to the Mecca also encouraged students to get informed and vote for themselves.
“We shouldn’t depend on things being shared on the Shaderoom or places that share information that is not true,” Jasean Robertson, a junior health science major from Roanoke, Virginia said.
“We want to keep people informed. Specifically [people of color], since that is the best way to be more acclimated with what they’re voting for rather than who they’re voting with,” he continued.
Michael Graham, a sophomore advertising major, reflected on his decision to get registered to vote through Vote HBCU and what voting means to him.
“I registered to vote because it is my right, and my ancestors fought for this,” Graham said. “These choices affect our lives, and you shouldn’t let anyone steer you into voting for a candidate. It’s your vote and your voice that matters.”
The event ended with the “A Seat at the Table” panel moderated by Lewis. The panel included speakers Channing Hill, Cornell McBridge Jr., Tariah Hyland, Daunte Evans, Jordan Braithwaite, and Jimel Calliste, covering the history and privilege of casting a black vote.
“We have to look at our lives and our responsibilities,” McBridge Jr. said.
“A lot of times we only talk about change. Change starts in the mirror. So you can either talk about change, or you can be about change and do something. Voting is one of those things that empower you by giving you the power to take action,” McBridge Jr. added.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
