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On the Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 The Black Women's Roundtable Releases Phase II of Its 10th Annual Power Of The Sister Vote Poll
Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and National Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR).
Phase II of the Poll Shows that Black Women are Moving from Discontent to Determination with Political Action Becoming a Priority
Washington, DC (August 6, 2026) – At a virtual morning press briefing today, streamed by media partner, The Root, and held in observance of the 61st anniversary of the signing of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) released Phase II of the BWR’s 10th Annual Power of the Sister Vote Poll findings.
At a time in which 600,000 Black women have been disconnected from the workforce and when affordability is at the center of concern of millions for Americans, the first phase of this year’s poll, released on July 21st, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, provided critical insight on how Black women were faring in the current, unpredictable economy; how unequal pay factored into their ability to survive; and how DEI roll-backs impacted their lives.
Now, the “Top Line” elements of Phase II from the poll show that: (1) The mood of the Black women has moved from “Discontent to Determination;” (2) The “Economic Strain” is the common through line and priority; (3) Black women are in “Protection Mode;” and (4) Black women are mostly moderate, but there is a “Significant Shift to the Left.” The poll indicates that more Black women are willing to “take action,” politically, to address their issues. According to the poll, the economic hardships impacting their daily lives is also a “vote motivation” for a large percentage of Black women.
States Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and National Convener of the Black of the Black Women’s Roundtable, "Tuesday's primaries confirmed what our poll has shown for months. Black women are dissatisfied with the direction of this country, and that discontent is fueling determination, not despair. A third of us have drained our savings. A quarter have skipped meals. Yet 70% now say our vote is powerful, up from 50% two years ago. And no one should take us for granted or treat us as a monolith. We are both moderate and progressive; there is a shift to the left for Generation Z. In 2026 we expect more from our leaders, and we will use our vote to demand it: lower costs, a protected safety net, and secure voting rights."
Following the media briefing regarding the BWR “Power of the Sister Vote” Poll results, this morning, NCBCP’s BWR held the first of what will be a monthly series of virtual “Sisters Can We Talk” panel discussions. The panel discussions will feature Black women leaders who will offer their opinions and thoughts on issues critical to Black women. The topic today was responses to the BWR poll.
In addition to NCBCP President Melanie Campbell, participants in today’s media briefing and “Sisters Can We Talk” panel discussion were; Beth Lynk – Head of Partnerships, The Root; Sophia Lafontant – Lead, Alliance and Strategic Partnership, Oxfam America; Kyru Crimes – National Civic Engagement Director, SEIU; Katrina Gamble, Pollster, Sojourn Strategies; Avis Jones-DeWeever, Ph.D. - Principal, Nouveaux Strategies; Holli Holiday – President, Sisters Lead Sisters Vote; Tameka Ramsey – Owner, T. Ramsey & Associates; Jotaka Eaddy -Founder & CEO, Win With Black Women; Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley - President & CEO, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW); LaTosha Brown - Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter; Karen Finney - Political Strategist, CNN Political Commentator; Joycelyn Fry – President, National Partnership for Women & Families; Fatima Goss Graves - President & CEO, National Women's Law Center; Bishop Leah Daughtry – Co-Convener, Power Rising; Dr. Stacie NC Grant – International President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.; Stefanie Brown James – Co-Founder, Collective PAC.
Watch the full media briefing and subsequent panel discussion:
About the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP)
For 50 years, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation has been a leading advocate for the rights and empowerment of Black and underserved communities. Through its programs and initiatives, NCBCP works to expand civic engagement, strengthen economic opportunity, protect voting rights, and ensure equitable representation at every level of government.
About the Black Women's Roundtable (BWR)
The Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) is the leadership development, mentoring, intergenerational empowerment, and power-building arm of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP). BWR advances just and equitable public policies that center racial, economic, and gender justice, with a focus
