In 2022 we reached out to Black men
more than 4.6 million times, and in doing
so, we were able to increase how Black
men showed up. More importantly,
we prevented those that threaten our
democracy, in all their eorts, from
increasing ground with Black men. This
has to be the most prominent marker of
success. Unfortunately, we were not fully
funded for the 2022 cycle, which caused
us to use 2023 resources. This practice of
spending “next year’s resources” to save
democracy is a common theme in our
work, as folk instead fund organizations in
a cyclical manner and not a sustainable
one. This is especially the case as we found
ourselves in runo at the end of the cycle.
THE APPROACH
Using our BMEP-Additory Approach, a
culturally competent multi-modal program,
we were able to meet Black men through
direct voter contact through traditional
methods and some unconventional
strategies we created. The most eective
traditional ways would have been our
conversations at the doors through
canvassing and texting eorts. These
programs were bolstered by some of
our created programs like our nightclub
ambassador program, which allows us
to meet Black men who would otherwise
never be in political spaces. Yet, because
we partner with club owners, managers,
and party promoters, we are allowed
unabridged access to these brothers,
in a space that is comfortable to them.
This is extremely important, for it is our
opportunity to reach a demographic of
Black men who are unreachable by other
political tactics.
Our Brotha’s Be Voting focus groups
were, of course, at the root of all of our
messaging in 2022, as they are safe spaces
for Black men. These spaces provide a
platform for them to both be vulnerable in
what they don’t know and express what
they believe; it also allows us to address
misinformation in a manner that doesn’t
oend Black men. This space has become
more necessary as the sheer amount of
misinformation continues to target Black
men.
In 2022 we continued our work of
being a complete space for Black men,
providing access to other services from our
organization. We have long learned that it
is improper and ineective to just knock
on doors and ask Black men to vote. In
realizing this fact, we show up in a way that
resembles a service organization more than
a political organization in an eort to build
trust and combat all the harm created by
the shady practices of political parties and
their auxiliaries.
These services include preparing Black
men for job interviews (by doing resume
preparation training, assisting with
professional attire, and providing resources
for internet access), providing housing
assistance, providing access to mental
health counseling, and assisting with the
formation of 6 new Black businesses.
YEAR
IN
REVIEW
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