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Nov 1, 2018
NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND BLACK WOMEN’S ROUNDTABLE EMBARK UPON FINAL PUSH WITH NATIONAL UNITY ’18 BLACK VOTING & POWER BUILDING CAMPAIGN
Unity ’18 Campaign is Black Women-Led and Focused on Leveraging the Power of Black Women’s Leadership and Vote in the 2018 Mid-Term Election Cycle
Washington, DC (November 1, 2018) -- As the 2018 Midterm Elections approach on November 6th, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) are now in the final stages of the Unity ’18 Black Voting & Power Building “Time4APowerShift” National Campaign (Unity ’18). The NCBCP Unity ’18 is a non-partisan national campaign that is laser-focused on leveraging the power and impact of the Black vote and collective leadership, with a special emphasis on the South, Black women, young voters and returning citizens across the country---where the Black vote will be key to shifting political power nationally and in states across the country, including AL, FL, GA, MD, MI, MS, OH, PA, DC/MD/VA Metro area. The NCBCP Black Youth Vote is also leading the Unity ’18 Campaign’s GOTV and voter protection efforts focused on millennials and Generation Z.
Unity ’18 is phase one of a four-year campaign that includes developing and organizing a long-term Black political and economic power-building strategy that includes the 2018 Mid-Term Election Cycle, 2019 Election Cycle, 2020 Presidential Election, 2020 Decennial Census and the 2021 Redistricting Fair Representation Process that will determine the balance of political power for the next decade and beyond.
In 2018, there are key elections that will impact the balance of political power----with the election of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representative, 33 U.S. Senators, 36 governors, 87 of the 99 state legislative chambers and 39 certified statewide ballot initiatives, including Amendment 4 in Florida that restores the right to vote for over 1.6 million Floridians with prior felony convictions upon completion of their sentences, and many local races as well.
Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and National Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable, shares, “Black women are leading the way across the country to leverage our power at the ballot box. We believe 2018 is the year of the woman that is centered in women of color. The NCBCP’s Unity ’18 Campaign is Black women-led and we have partnered with over 60 national and states-based organizations and networks. Black women voters are not only the ‘secret sauce’ and most reliable vote for progressive candidates to win: we are leaders of many of our civil rights, women’s rights, social justice and human rights organizations.”
Campbell further states, “NOW is the time for Black women to unapologetically seize our political power and raise our collective voices to demand that candidates running for any office address our issues—including the unprecedented rollback of civil rights, criminal justice reform, affordable health care, environmental justice, gender and reproductive justice, affordable housing, immigration reform, workers’ rights, human rights and other safety net policies that are under attack by the current presidential administration and Congress. These issues and others have communities of color and poor communities literally fighting for their lives.”
The NCBCP and BWR launched its Unity ’18 National Black Voting & Power Building Campaign in May 2018. (See unitycampaign.org for details). The following are highlights of the Unity ’18 National Campaign’s 5-DAY FINAL GOTV & Voter Protection organizing and activities being led by Black women who are leading the NCBCP and BWR state-based affiliates and partnership organizations in AL, FL, GA, MI, MS, OH, PA and DC/MD/VA:
NCBCP Unity ’18 Campaign 5-DAY COUNTDOWN AND ELECTION DAY GOTV & VOTER PROTECTION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (November 1 – 6th):
Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation/AL BWR is conducting GOTV canvassing & rallies in low voter turnout communities and poll monitoring in Jefferson County and at AL HBCU’s on November 1 – 5th including Alabama A & M, Alabama State, Lawson College, Miles College and Tuskegee University. AL BWR is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues.
Primary Contact – Sheila Tyson, Convener, Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation and AL BWR at (205) 249-8559 cell.
FLORIDA
The Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Florida Black Women’s Roundtable are monitoring the polls and providing Election Protection assistance during Early Voting and on Election Day on November 1 – 6th in Cocoa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Mims, Orlando, Titusville, West Palm Beach. FCBCP/FL BWR are also serving as a state partner with the the Florida Rights & Restoration Coalition on their GOTV Bus Tour on November 1 – 5th in Belle Glade, Saint Petersburgh, Miami and Orlando. Other GOTV activities include Souls to the Polls on November 4th and Party to the Polls on Election Day November 6th, 3 pm – 7 pm in 23 cities including Belle Glade, Clermont, Cocoa, Daytona, Hobe Sound, Howey in the Hills/Lake County, Indian Town, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Mims, New Smyrna Beach, Okeechobee, Orlando, Pahokee, Pensacola, Riviera Beach, Sanford, South Bay, Stuart, Tallahassee, Titusville, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach. FCBCP/FL BWR is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues.
Primary Contact – Salandra Benton, Executive Director and Convener, Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation/FL BWR at (850) 567-2237 (cell).
GEORGIA
The Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda (GCPA) and GA BWR are providing Free Rides to the Polls across the state of Georgia during Early voting that ends of November 2nd and on Election Day. Voters can call 1-877-524-VOTE (8683) or go to www. Ridetothepoll.com to schedule rides to the polls. GCPA/GA BWR will be operating daily phone banks, canvassing and Election Protection in 9 Metro Atlanta Counties and in Albany, Athens, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia. GCPA/GA BWR is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues.
Primary Contact – Helen Butler, Executive Director, Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda and Convener, GA BWR at (404) 314-8982 (cell)
The Clayton County Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable and HBCU Green Fund are organizing phone banks and text messaging GOTV and voter protection organizing activities focused on Black women and millennials. GOTV activities also include: co-hosting the Living Green Club “We Registered, Now What?” Forum at Clark Atlanta University on November 1, 6 pm – 8 pm; hosting a Power of the Sister Vote GOTV Rally from 1-4 pm on November 3rd at the Frank Bailey Senior Center, 6213 Riverdale Road in Riverdale, GA; organizing a Protect Our Vote Sunday on November 4th, 11 am Service @ Devine Faith Ministries International, 9800 Terra Blvd. in Jonesboro, GA, Rev. Tony Lee, Board Member, NCBCP will speak. Also, Clayton County BWR is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues. Georgia Black Youth Vote is organizing a GA HBCU GOTV Tour @ the Fountain City Classic w/Fort Valley State vs Albany State Classic in Columbus, GA on November 3rd and at Savannah State University on November 4th. GA Black Youth Vote is also conducting rides to the polls at Clark Atlanta University on Election Day. Clayton County
Primary Contact – Felicia Davis, Convener, Clayton County BWR, Executive Director, HBCU Green Fund and Illai Kenney, BYV GOTV Tour Coordinator, at (202) 897-5924 (cell).
GEORGIA
Georgia Stand Up is serving as a state partner with NCBCP’s Southern Regional Office to conducting a massive phone bank to infrequent Black women voters in Clayton County and also provide voter protection training to assist voters at the polls, in partnership with GCPA/GA BWR, Clayton County BWR/HBCU Green Fund, Black Voters Matter, Pro Georgia and Black Student Law Association.
Primary Contact – Deborah Scott, Executive Director, GA Stand Up at (404) 581-0061 (cell).
Southern Black Women’s Rural Initiative is serving as a state partner with GA Black Women’s Roundtable to provide Free Rides to the Polls to Black voters in rural Georgia in the following counties at Baker County, Clay County, Coffee County and Wilcox County.
Primary Contact – Carol Blackmon, SRBWI at (601) 940-6245 (cell).
MICHIGAN
The Metro Detroit Black Women’s Roundtable, in partnership with Mothering Justice and Demos, will host its #PoweroftheSisterVote (POSV) GOTV Gathering & GOTV Text Messaging Party at COLORS Restaurant at 311 E. Grand River Ave., in Detroit, MI on Saturday, November 3, 6 pm – 8 pm. The POSV Gathering will also be livestreamed on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BWRMD/). Additional activities include GOTV Voter Protection Training and Pledge to Vote Petition Online Campaign focused on Metro Detroit and Pontiac. Metro Detroit BWR is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues.
Primary Contact – Tameka Ramsey, Co-Convener, Metro Detroit BWR, at (248) 648-0551 (cell) and Danielle Atkinson, Co-Convener, Metro Detroit BWR at (313) 971-1492 (cell).
The Kalamazoo MI BWR, in partnership with Mothers of Hope, is organizing GOTV canvassing on November 3rd, 10 am – 3 pm in Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo BWR is co-hosting the Empowerment Luncheon on November 5th, 12 Noon – 1:30 pm in partnership with Black Voters Matter, Mothers of Hope and others. Kalamazoo BWR is also providing rides to the polls and conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues on November 6th.
Primary Contact – Hon. Stephanie Moore, Convener, Kalamazoo MI BWR, Program Coordinator, Mothers of Hope at (269) 547-9002 (cell).
MISSISSIPPI
The Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable (MS BWR) is coordinating rides to the polls with churches in rural areas of Mississippi and coordinating phone banking centers to reach non-frequent black women voters across the MS Delta, West MS and Central MS with Black women-owned-and-operated child care centers across the state of MS in the following counties including Hines County, Holmes County, Harrison County, Jackson County, Panola County, Sunflower County, Tate County and Washington County.
Primary Contacts – Cassandra Welchlin, Lead Organizer & Co-Convener, MS BWR at (601) 750-8388 (cell) and Deborah Robinson, Co-Convener, MS BWR at (601) 953-8134 (cell).
OHIO
The Ohio Unity Coalition (OUC) and Ohio BWR is running daily canvass operations in Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown and Toledo, OH calling and canvassing to infrequent Black women voters from November 1 thru Election Day. Additionally, OUC will be poll monitoring and assisting with Election Protection at polls---with high percentage of African American voters in Columbus, Cleveland, Youngstown and Toledo. OUC is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues.
Primary contact: Petee Talley, Convener, Ohio Unity Coalition/OH BWR at (614) 582-4499 (cell).
OUC/OH BWR is partnering with Greater Cleveland Voter Alliance to assist with organizing the Annual “Sisters Stroll to the Polls” on Saturday, November 3rd in Cleveland, OH. The Sisters Stroll to the Polls will also include members of the local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, National Congress of Black Women, NAACP Women, Cleveland Urban League and several area Church missionary organizations to participate in the “Sister Stroll.” The stroll will start at the Cleveland Urban League office and end at the local Board of Elections. Greater Cleveland Voter Alliance is also conducting an Election Day Exit Poll on Voters Experiences and Priority Issues. Primary Contact – Angela Shute-Woodson, Executive Director, Greater Cleveland Voter Alliance and Co-Convener, Ohio BWR at (216) 534-4454.
PENNSYLVANIA
The Pittsburgh/Mon Valley BWR and “Sisters Saving Ourselves NOW” (SSON) is partnering with Pittsburgh Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Social Action Commission to host GOTV and rides to the polls in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh/Mon Valley BWR and SSON will be conducting GOTV canvassing in Braddock, PA on November 3rd and conducting neighborhood canvassing on Monday, November 5th in Kensington, PA; Pittsburgh/Mon Valley BWR and SSON will be poll monitoring on Election Day on November 6th in Mon Valley and New Kensington areas.
Primary Contact – Rev. Dr. Judith C. Moore, Convener, Pittsburgh/Mon Valley BWR, Executive Director, SSON at (724) 472-7377 (cell).
WASHINGTON DC – NCBCP NATIONAL OFFICE AND DC/MD/VA AREA
The NCBCP Unity ’18 Campaign is organizing its Black Youth Vote HBCU & Community 30-DAY GOTV Challenge (BYV! Challenge) in partnership with HBCU Green Fund and the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame to encourage students and youth to vote and volunteer to serve as poll monitors. The following colleges/universities and community- based organizations are participating in the BYV! Challenge in nine states including Alabama (AL BYV & Friends of West End @ Miles College, University of AL – Birmingham, Lawson State University; Florida (Bethune-Cookman University); Georgia (HBCU Green Fund @ Albany State, Atlanta Metro College, Atlanta Tech College, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, Savannah State University); Mississippi (Rust College SGA); North Carolina (Shaw University); Pennsylvania (Lincoln University of PA); Texas (Texas Southern University Political Science Department); Virginia (Norfolk University SGA); DC/MD/VA (Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Group).
Primary Contacts – Acacia Newsome, BWR Intern and Darrell Coles, BYV Intern at NCBCP at (202) 659-4929 (office).
The NCBCP Unity ’18 Campaign is partnering with the Ronald W. Walters Leadership & Policy Center and Watch Party @ Howard University to organize its Unity Ronald Walters National Election Day Command Center on Tuesday, November 6th, 9 am - 10 pm, at Howard University, Carnegie Building, 2395 6th Street, NW, Conference Room A, Washington, DC. Additional Unity RWCC partners include APRI, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, National African American Clergy Network and #RolandMartinUnfiltered.
Primary Contacts – Holli Holliday, Esq., Political & Data Manager & Senior Advisor, NCBCP at (202) 630-0707 (cell), Tonya Tyson, Special Assistant to the President & CEO, NCBCP, at (202) 664-2709 (cell) and Kristal High, Social Media Manager, NCBCP at (704) 517-3331 (cell).
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) was founded in 1976. Today, the NCBCP is one of the most active civil rights and social justice organizations in the nation “dedicated to increasing civic engagement, economic and voter empowerment in Black America.”
www.ncbcp.org
www.unitycampaign.org
