Michelle Obama and Chris Paul Launch When We All Vote’s First HBCU Campaign, the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge

When We All Vote is partnering with BET and more to provide grants to HBCU Voting Squads for voter education, registration and mobilization ahead of the 2022 midterm elections

(Washington, DC): Today, When We All Vote Co-Chairs Michelle Obama and Chris Paul launched When We All Vote’s VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge in a video message. The Squad Challenge is When We All Vote’s very first campaign for Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and will empower HBCU students to take a leading role in voter registration, education and mobilization efforts on their campuses and their surrounding communities ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. BET, Baller Alert, Watch The Yard, HBCU Buzz and Xceleader’s Vote HBCU program are among the founding partners on the Squad Challenge.

Through the challenge, Squads on HBCU campuses across the country will receive grants of up to $3,000 to support their nonpartisan voter registration, education and mobilization efforts, which can include hosting events and voter registration drives, training new volunteers, educating voters and canvassing their campus and surrounding communities. The Squads that implement the most creative and culturally relevant ideas will be eligible to win campus events and activations with celebrity appearances in partnership with  BET.

“As a proud HBCU graduate, I know that our Historically Black Colleges and Universities are the heartbeat of Black culture, and it’s critical that we make sure voting is a part of that culture. For decades, HBCUs have led the way in social change, and I’m excited to work with students, alumni, educators and our partners on HBCU campuses to reach our communities in real and engaging ways that allow our voices to be heard in the midterm elections and beyond. And I’m also thrilled to start this work early to end the cycle of engaging these campuses only in the fall before major elections,” said Stephanie L. Young, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

HBCUs have always played a critical role in protecting the right to vote in the Black community. In this critical midterm election year, voting rights, especially for Black and young voters, are under attack. The Squad Challenge will train HBCU students to create their very own Voting Squads on campuses around the country and engage voters for the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.

Learn more about the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge at whenweallvote.org/voteloud.

ABOUT When We All Vote: 

When We All Vote, an initiative of Civic Nation, is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.

In 2020, When We All Vote ran a robust, multifaceted campaign and reached more than 100 million people to educate them about the voting process and get them registered and ready to vote. The initiative also led in voter education, registration, and volunteer engagement and as a result, 512,000 people started or completed the voter registration process, and nearly 500 media, corporate, and nonprofit partners joined its efforts.

Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington and Rita Wilson.

When We All Vote is a key initiative within Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). These organizations are homes for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation.

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit home for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation. Civic Nation empowers and educates individuals, companies, institutions and organizations to drive culture, systems, and policy change, working towards a more inclusive and equitable America. Seven initiatives are a part of the Civic Nation family: When We All Vote, United State of Women, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, End Rape On Campus, It’s On Us, Made to Save and We The Action. Learn more here.

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