Black Voters Matter (BVM), a leading organization in the fight for Black voter rights, has unveiled an ambitious plan to combat ongoing attacks on voting rights and mobilize Black communities in preparation for the 2024 elections. The organization recently announced their latest initiative, the “We Fight Back” campaign and bus tour, which aims to educate, mobilize, and empower Black voters across the nation.
During a press conference, BVM leaders talked about their collaboration with the Harris campaign to lead their Black polling efforts. Terrance Woodbury, Co-Founder of HIT Strategies, highlighted the increasing support from Black voters and the key issues they care about, such as housing affordability, college costs, healthcare, inflation, anti-Blackness, and racism.
Kristen Powell, Principal for Black Futures Lab, emphasized the importance of a Black economic agenda to secure victories at the polls. This agenda includes solutions to lower costs, provide livable wages, and protect workers. She also discussed the need to engage rural Black voters and those in the Midwest to shift the balance of power in cities and states.
Andrea Haley, CEO of Vote.Org, shared that they have already registered over 700,000 voters and assisted 1 million people in checking their voter registration status through the site. Vote.Org also provides information on voting rules, absentee forms, polling locations, and other resources needed for voting.
Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive Director of BVM, discussed the organization’s programs that support local groups specializing in Black male voter outreach beyond election cycles.
The “We Fight Back” campaign includes a national bus tour, known as “the Blackest bus in America,” that will visit communities nationwide to raise awareness and build grassroots support. The tour will make a stop in Texas from Sept. 6-7 and reflects BVM’s ongoing commitment to voter education and mobilization.
BVM is also engaging with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its “Take the Field” program, which aims to prepare Black college students for impactful acts of civil disobedience on their campuses and in their communities.