Amplifying and Mobilizing the HBCU Vote 

Far too often, the voices of HBCU students are stifled in the campus voting conversation. The Next Generation Leadership Institute fellows are shifting that narrative and are leading the charge on highlighting the importance of voting to their peers and campus networks. Now more than ever, it is critical to amplify the voices of HBCU students and center their Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts on the yard.  

Young people showing up and showing out this election cycle is critical to upholding our civil liberties. Here is the rundown on how our fellows are galvanizing their campus communities and getting them to the polls! 

Getting Out the HBCU Vote

The Next Generation Leadership Institute teamed up with Platform for Getting out the HBCU Vote on Oct. 15, where student leaders Jennita Davis (Howard University), Tyra Gravesande (Spelman College), and Kalaya Sibley (Dillard University) shared how they are mobilizing their peers, what concerns they are addressing, and how you can make the final days count before the election.  

WTOP News

Madison Harris was featured on WTOP News, where she spoke about the importance of the HBCU vote. Listen here.

Elect Her: HBCU’s Zoom Workshop

On October 24, over one hundred Black women tapped into their political power by attending Elect Her: HBCU’s Zoom Workshop. The virtual nonpartisan training focused on providing the basics of running for student government and political office for HBCU women. Amber Wynne (Hampton University) shares her experience attending Elect Her: HBCU’s:  

Growing up, I have been told multiple times that I would become the next Shirley Nathan-Pulliam (a fellow Jamaican and nurse who ran for the Maryland State Senate and won). Since then, I have always tried to learn more about running for office to further impact my patients, hence my interest in the Elect Her Zoom Workshop. The Elect Her Zoom Workshop was created, in partnership with Exceleader, Running Start, and BET, to mobilize the next round of HBCU educated women in politics. Whether it will be in the Student Government Association, the city council, or the U.S. Presidency, this country needs more Black women running the show.   

The program had multiple sessions covering various topics that are important to running. We learned how to find our “why” network and create our own elevator pitch. I was fortunate enough to represent my group based on my initial elevator pitch and was voted the winner for the entire program. Overall, this experience of being surrounded by Black women who have similar passions as mine regarding political advocacy was very inspiring and heartwarming. As we speak, I am seriously considering running for a higher SGA position at my school this upcoming spring, and I have this conference to thank for the motivation to take the leap finally.  

I AM A VOTER Social Activism

Amaya Ronczyk and Kalaya Sibley suited up in their I AM A VOTER swag and shared why they’re voters. 

With the Nov. 3 election just days away, follow the Next Generation Leadership Institute fellows’ lead and stay informed on your state’s voting rules. If you have any questions or concerns that could impact your vote, head over to BlackWomen.vote to get state-by-state voter information. Together, we can make our voices count this election cycle!