BET announced the next phase of its nonpartisan #ReclaimYourVote campaign, which declares the inaugural National Black Voter Day to be recognized on September 18, 2020. In partnership with the National Urban League and an expanding list of over 40 key partners, BET will launch various initiatives and provide content to inform, empower and mobilize Black Americans’ participation in the November election. Resources will assist in getting voters registered, demystify some of the confusing processes, as well as provide guidance on voting rights restoration for eligible voters, and help voters create their voting plan to ensure their voices are heard.
Blake Griffin (six-time NBA All-Star), Caron Butler (NBA Champion), Desmond Meade (President, FRRC/Voting Rights Activist), Dwane Casey (Champion Basketball Coach), Erica Campbell (Recording Artist), Jaren Jackson, Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies center), Jonica T. Gibbs (Actor, BET’s Twenties), Marc H. Morial (President & CEO, National Urban League), MAJOR. (Grammy Nominated Musician), Morgan DeBaun (Founder & CEO, Blavity, Inc), Mignon Von (Actor, Tyler Perry’s Sistas), Offset (Rapper), Rapsody (Recording Artist), Soledad O’Brien (Journalist/Producer), Stacey Abrams (Founder, Fair Fight Action), Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson (Co-Founder, Where Art Can Occur), Udonis Haslem (three-time NBA Champion), Vivek Ranadivé (Sacramento Kings Governor) and more are lending their voices to this powerful campaign with original PSAs that will be dispersed across BET’s platforms and by impact partners to their constituents. Additionally, a roster of media partners have joined these efforts, including Black Enterprise, Bounce, Entertainment Tonight, The Root, The Shade Room and The Skimm, as well as BET’s sibling networks MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central. National Black Voter Day coincides with some of the country’s earliest voting days in states like South Dakota and Minnesota – the latter being ground zero of the fight for racial justice, since the killing of George Floyd.
BET continues to demystify the process of voting for Black citizens in a COVID-19 world, and #ReclaimYourVote will break down the necessary steps to make our voices heard. From securing and checking your voter registration, to making a plan for how to vote, to gathering your friends and family to vote with you, #ReclaimYourVote is committed to ensuring every step of the process is clear and accessible for Black voters,” Jeanine Liburd, Chief Social Impact & Communications Officer said. “Our partnership with the National Urban League and the expansive group of impact partners will combine as one mighty voice this September 18th on National Black Voter Day and beyond.”
“In the current climate of uncertainty and unrest, it’s important to make a plan for voting – particularly for Black voters,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Efforts to suppress the Black vote are coming from all sides, whether it’s restrictive state voting laws or foreign-based misinformation campaigns. National Black Voter Day is an opportunity to rise above the confusion and plot out a clear path to the ballot box. Whether by mask, in person, or by mail, it’s important to make a plan now, and execute that plan as early as possible according to the laws in each state. We’re leaving no voter behind in 2020.” The nonpartisan #ReclaimYourVote initiative launched earlier this year to harness Black collective power and increase Black participation in the 2020 census and the 2020 election. To date, #ReclaimYourVote has leveraged activations, talent, civil rights partnerships and television spots to urge the Black community to be counted in the census and to take a stand and vote.
For more information, please visit www.reclaimyour.vote.
Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET social media platforms and using the hashtags: #ReclaimYourVote and #BETVote and by following us @BET, @BETVote, and @BETNews.
Danielle Sanders is a freelance writer living in Chicago. Find her on social media @DanieSandersofficial.
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