Adopt An HBCU Good Trouble voter drive spearheaded by celebrities launches on the first-ever
National Black Voter Registration Day.
HBCU Heroes, founded by NBA Veteran George Lynch, entrepreneur Tracey Pennywell and CNN/MSNBC political commentator Kwame Jackson, is launching the Adopt-An-HBCU Good Trouble Voter Drive in celebration of the first-ever National Black Voter Registration Day on Sept. 18. In partnership with WNBA star and activist Renee Montgomery, co-founder of Remember the 3rd of November, and the Good Trouble campaign, the six-week social media campaign will feature a line-up of celebrity Historically Black Colleges and University alum and supporters educating HBCU students about their voting rights and encouraging them to register to vote ahead of election day at https://www.hbcuheroes.org/vote/.
The Adopt-An-HBCU Good Trouble Voter Drive was born out of the partnership between HBCU
Heroes and the Good Trouble campaign, which was launched by Participant, Magnolia
Pictures, and Color Farm Media to encourage audiences to support voting rights and
participate in civic engagement actions that empower disenfranchised communities to
fully participate in our democracy. Throughout the campaign, which will run from September
18th through Election Day, celebrities will “adopt” an HBCU and share personalized, informative
messages with the goal of increasing HBCU voter participation in the November election.
Celebrities participating in the drive include D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy, Spelman alum Shaun
Robinson (host/90 Day Fiance’), Akbar Gbajabiamila (co-host/American Ninja Warrior),
Fox Sports analyst Chris Broussard, and comedienne Kym Whitley, alumni of Fisk
University. Color Farm Media was co-founded by actress and Good Trouble film producer,
Erika Alexander, who is excited to adopt HBCU Voorhees College for this voter drive.
Tracey Pennywell, the ringleader of Adopt-An-HBCU Good Trouble Voter Drive, coordinated a
consortium of organizations and media partners to lend support, including Michelle Obama’s
When We All Vote, Rock The Vote, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Magnolia Films,
Participant, Color Farm Media, Wasserman, Innocean USA, Gourmet Services, Inc.,
HBCUGoTV, HBCU Gameday, Black College Sports Network, and more.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) had the single largest decline among
demographics in voter participation in the 2016 presidential election, according to a Tufts
University study. That’s why NBA players Rob Covington (Rockets) and Kyle O’Quinn (Sixers)
are pledging their support. Their impact is vital as the only two HBCU-turned-NBA-players
currently in the league.
Other pro and veteran athletes supporting include Shannon Sharpe (HBCU alum/Savannah
State), Atlanta Falcons NFL veterans Michael Vick and Alge Crumpler, NBA veteran Etan
Thomas, Everson Walls (Grambling alum), Tyrone Poole (Fort Valley State alum), Hugh
Douglas (Central State alum), and Tarik Cohen, an alum of HBCU North Carolina
Agricultural & Technical State University, also a current NFL player for the Chicago Bears.
“I’m honored to arm HBCU students with a plan to vote, whether they’re away from home or
distance-learning at home,” said Renee Montgomery. “This campaign is about empowerment,
education, and engagement. The WNBA, NBA, NFL, HBCUs, and our partner organizations are
all in this together. We’re making good trouble,” Her parents and one of her sisters graduated
from HBCUs. Montgomery is adopting Morris Brown College in Atlanta, also home to her
WNBA team, the Dream.
A list of participating HBCUs include (but not limited to) Grambling, North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University, Spelman, Morehouse (via the Identity, Art &
Democracy Lab), Fisk, Paul Quinn College, Savannah State, Lincoln (PA), Fort Valley
State, Voorhees, Morris Brown, Florida Memorial, Wilberforce, Fayetteville State, Central
State (OH), and many more.
“For 30 years, Rock the Vote has worked to build the political power of young people,” said
Carolyn DeWitt, president and executive director of Rock the Vote. “We are thrilled to partner
with HBCU Heroes and support their work to turn out the HBCU vote in November.
“HBCU students have incredible power to determine the direction of our country and our communities.
And, we must fight fiercely to protect that power and the right to vote, while empowering
students with information and resources to make their voices heard in our democracy.
“We’re in. Our Quinnites, students, and faculty all understand this tremendous opportunity for
HBCUs in arguably the biggest election of our lifetime,” said Dr. Michael Sorrell, president of
Paul Quinn College. “We’re proud to do our part.” Dr. Sorrell’s adopt-team includes the Dallas
chapter of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA).
Melinda Arons, senior vice president of Social Impact at Participant, praised this effort for
unifying sports and entertainment to propel voter participation among college students as “an
incredible opportunity to further the legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis by making sure this
generation can use its voice at the ballot box.” Participant, which was instrumental in integrating
HBCU Heroes as an impact partner for the film, John Lewis: Good Trouble, is spearheading
their support to raise awareness and visibility for the digital campaign.
“I’ve been making trouble all my life and now I’m doing it for a good cause,” said D.L. Hughley,
comic, radio show host, and New York Times best-selling author. “Working with this group of
celebrities, athletes, and organizations to amplify HBCU voter participation is an honor.”
Hughley is adopting Lincoln University (PA).
Sponsorship opportunities Adopt An HBCU Good Trouble voter drive spearheaded by celebrities launches on the first-ever
National Black Voter Registration Day are still available. For more information or to adopt an HBCU, contact
TraceyPennywell@hbcuheroes.org or 818.749.0198 or visit www.hbcuheroes.org
About Post Author
