Fighting for Equal Representation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective Education Fund, the education affiliate of nation’s largest organization dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation and power across all levels of government, and Xceleader, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) leadership organization focused on increasing and strengthening Black leadership in our communities and workplaces, announced the launch of the second annual Vote HBCU Summit, which will take place virtually on July 31, 2021. Students across the country will be invited to participate in this groundbreaking, half-day event focused on civic education and the importance of engaging the HBCU community around voter registration, empowerment and voting rights issues and organizing trainings. The summit is part of The Collective Education Fund’s Vote To Live program which registered more than 100,000 voters during the 2020 election season. With the support of Lumina Foundation, the Vote HBCU Summit has been expanded to include year round programming through workshops and trainings on civic engagement.
“The Collective Education Fund is thrilled to once again work with Xceleader on the second annual Vote HBCU summit, and continue our efforts to educate and engage with Black college students and HBCU alumni,” said The Collective Education Fund Co-founder and Senior Advisor, Stefanie Brown James. “The 2020 election cycle clearly demonstrated the power of HBCUs and the groundbreaking change that is possible when we engage with students and alumni early and often. As an HBCU graduate of Howard University, I’m honored to work with partners like Xceleader to grow and expand this important program year-round and continue supporting the next generation of civic-minded, progressive leaders.”
“While HBCU students and alumni are typically not seen as a voting bloc until GOTV begins, it’s critical that we work throughout the year to foster the activism and leadership that already drives so many of us who attend these institutions,” said Xceleader Co-Founder, Jade Agudosi. “With access to the ballot box under attack in the majority states, this program is more important than ever and we’re excited to not only educate participants on the power of the HBCU vote and the impacts of issues like voter suppression, but give them the tools and resources necessary to prepare for election day and become informed voters.”
Following an address from a high-profile keynote speaker, this year’s summit will include a series of breakout sessions where students will discuss voting rights and campus engagement. After the July 31 summit, participants will continue on a curriculum course throughout the school year focused on voter education and the importance of leadership on campus. Classes will cover a variety of topics including voting rights history in America, civic engagement, the collective power of HBCU organizing, and the voting process, tailored specifically for HBCU students.
All HBCU students are invited to participate in this year’s summit by going to wevotehbcu.com.
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE
The Collective is a group of affiliated organizations working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. Through our affiliated organizations — The Collective PAC, The Collective Super PAC, Collective Future, The Collective Education Fund, and The Southern Strategy — we are strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward.
ABOUT XCELEADER
Xceleader is a nonprofit organization that cultivates the next generation of leaders at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Xceleader’s ultimate goal is to increase and strengthen Black leadership in our communities and places of work. Through its four impactful programs, Xceleader connects the talented student leaders and graduates of prestigious HBCUs to ladders of power by providing leadership training, mentorship, and a network of graduates. Learn more about the organization at xceleader.com.