Blog
Heating up With No Days To Go
By William Kellibrew on 11/03/2008 @ 05:37 PM
This election has certainly turned out to be one of the most historic elections we have on the books. For instance, the campaigns have raised record amounts of contributions, and for the first time, a nomination for an African-American man for the Democratic spot and a female for the Republican Vice President spot. The dynamics are historic and we just don't have to sit idly by and watch. We can vote.
With that, I voted early this morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. Although it only took me 15 minutes to vote, I'd stood in line since 7:00 a.m. I waited an hour and a half to be a part of the election process. In fact, this is my first time voting early or even considering it. I even slept on the floor because I simply refused to stand for an hour and a half. Wouldn't you? There is no way we can miss the excitement.
With only less than a day to go, we are turning up the volume on everything we are doing. Our entire office voted early, we sent out 100,000 church fans across the country for Sunday morning worship service. Some even made Bible Study. We have knocked on thousands of doors and left door hangars to remind voters how they need to prepare to vote at polling locations and a host of other get-out-the-vote strategies.
More importantly though, is voter protection. Once we vote, we have to consider that our vote is protected. If you feel like your vote, or someone else's, has been compromised dial our 1-866-MYVOTE1 hotline and file a complaint. This complaint gives us an opportunity to understand and strategically approach voter protection issues.
On the more positive end, I listened to Oprah today on a conference call and she mentioned that folks need to get their families out when they go to the polls tomorrow. She said, "Take someone with you." The most important thing she said though was that we need to "...celebrate the vote." Regardless for whom you vote, vote.
I will be blogging tomorrow about the issues and really would appreciate your comments. See you soon.
5 Days To Go!
By William Kellibrew on 10/30/2008 @ 06:37 PM
I cannot begin to tell you how busy it is at Black Youth Vote! We have been working tirelessly to prepare for our upcoming Post-Election Press Briefing on November 122, 2008 at the National Press Club. We will have Jeff Johnson from B.E.T. to moderate, Rev. Yearwood from the Hip Hop Caucus, Kemba Smith of the Kemba Smith Foundation, and many more young activists and mobilizers who will talk about the many issues that faced our election season as well as where do we go after election day.
We have to hold our leaders accountable after election and especially during the first 100 days in office. If they are going to make changes and do what they said they are going to do, it will be then - during the first 100 days. So, Black Youth Vote! encourages everyone to not only vote, but segway into high gear for post-election activity and participation.
Most importantly, make sure that you vote on 4th November. Make history!
Black Youth Vote! and GOTV
By William Kellibrew on 10/23/2008 @ 06:37 PM
12 Days To Go!
It's crunch time and the election of the century and possibly of all time is nearing on 4th November. We are pressing hard here at the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. Part of our GOTV efforts are focusing directly on what you need to know before you go to the polls. You may have heard these before, but as I was reading The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein, I could not help but notice my bookmark featuring five things you need to know before you go the polls. Well, here they are one more time.
1. VERIFY your registration status BEFORE Election Day
Make sure you are listed on the registration roll by calling your local Board of Elections.
2. VERIFY your polling location before Election Day.
Call 1-866-MYVOTE1 (1-866-698-6831).
3. Bring your I.D.
Don’t Leave Home Without It! To be safe, bring your voter registration card, driver’s license, and/or government issued photo ID. If you have problems voting call Election Protection at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
4. VERIFY the date and location to vote early or absentee in your state at http://www.ncbcp.org then VOTE FIRST!
5. Be a part of history – VOTE FIRST!
After you cast your ballot, text “blackyouthvote” to 69302.
DON’T LEAVE YOUR POLLING PLACE WITHOUT VOTING.
VOTE NOV. 4, 2008
I cannot stress enough how absolutely difficult it will be to vote on Election Day. I am preparing my absentee ballot because I will not be able to go to the polls on that day,.I have my reasons. If you cannot get the polls, you need to either vote early or by absentee ballot. Consider it fast and check with your local Board of Elections or Secretary of State to get more information or visit our Election Center at www.ncbcp.org.
Save-The-Date
By William Kellibrew on 10/22/2008 @ 06:37 PM
Please Save-The-Date for the upcoming Black Youth Vote! Civic Leadership Training Conference in Washington, D.C., this November 13 - 15, as we deal with post-election issues and, of course, a brand new President of the United States. No matter who that is, we are going to have to hold him or her accountable -- anything can happen to John McCain and Palin could also be the next president. The conference will kick-off with a Black Youth Vote! National Press Club Symposium on November 12, 2008 from 12-3 p.m. You will need to R.S.V.P. to blackyouthvote@ncbcp.org. Registration for the conference will be primarily on-line and will be available soon. I will keep you posted.
Thanks for reading the blog and please leave a comment. Give yourself a voice on this BYV! blog.
Bow Wow Finishes Strong in Connecticut, Virginia Sees Surge in New Registrations
By William Kellibrew on 10/16/2008 @ 06:37 PM
Bow Wow in Atlanta - Election 2008
Bow Wow finished his Walk Across America Tour in Hartford, Connecticut yesterday. His 15 city tour included Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Orangeburg, Richmond, Philly, Charlotte, and had a great launch in Atlanta at the CNN Center. Black Youth Vote! was on hand to vigorously support the launch and the overall tour. Thanks to the amazing partnership with Bow Wow, Black Youth Vote! continues to have a stake in the record registration of youth ages 18-35 in the United States.
For instance, according to the Virginia State Board of Elections, "about 60 percent of the newly registered voters are under the age of 34." There are an additional 436,000 more registered voters than the previous election. Virginia now has a record 5m people registered, mostly in democrat strongholds. This is an example of not only an agressive campaign by candidates, but by "other outside groups to register new voters" reports the Virginia State Board of Elections.
Bow Wow Takes to the Road - Charlotte and Greensboro
By William Kellibrew on 10/08/2008 @ 06:37 PM
Bow Wow in Atlanta - Election 2008
Bow Wow is in Charlotte for a radio interview and will be in Greensboro, North Carolina at 12 Noon in the Student Center on the campus of North Carolina A&T. We will then visit Bennett College for Women at 2:00 p.m. Bow Wow is kicking off his pledge phase of his Walk Across America Tour for those who already registered. Bow Wow is asking that you do several things for your pledge commitment.
- pledge to educate yourself to the best of your ability on the issues relevant to your community.
- pledge to verify with your local Board of Elections that your voter registration information is updated and your name is on the voting rolls.
- pledge to verify your poll location by calling 1.866.MYVOTE.1
- pledge to VOTE on November 4th 2008.
- pledge to diligently monitor any election irregularities which may occur at my polling location and report them to 1.866.MYVOTE.1.
Look out and ask for a Pledge Card when you see Bow today and along the Walk Across America Tour.
Folks, Election 2008 is serious and that's why Bow Wow is taking the time to visit over 13 states in order to bring awareness to the Election as well as get young people registered and pledging to vote. Let's make 2008 count.
BYV! Busy in the United States
By William Kellibrew on 10/08/2008 @ 06:37 PM
Bow Wow in Atlanta - Election 2008
Black Youth Vote! is definitely busy throughout the United States. Jeff Johnson Birmingham, Alabama on October 6 and it was a great success. Jeff received a presidential welcome from the crowd there and from BYV! coordinators. Our hats are off to Sheila and LaTosha for leading the effort in Alabama.
Bow Wow will restart his campaign across America tomorrow by visiting Bennett and North Carolina A&T in North Carolina. I will be blogging from the tour as usaul. Again, for more information and some awesome videos, please check out princebow.com.
If you will be in the upcoming tour areas and want to volunteer please email blackyouthvote@ncbcp.org. Especially in Boston, Hartfor, Connecticut and New York City.
Talk to you soon.
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