Voting Boot Camp in Mississippi Pushes Black Women To The Polls

The event sparked important conversations surrounding voting and registration for those eligible in Mississippi.

The Black Women’s Roundtable Organization in Mississippi remains committed to an increased voter turnout this election. The group inspired Black women to exercise their right to vote during its April 27 “Power of the Sister Vote Boot Camp.”

The event sparked important conversations surrounding voting and registration for those eligible. WLOX reports that its organizers seek to encourage all, especially Black women, to go to the polls this election season.

Despite over 72% of Black Mississippians being registered to vote, only 42% participate in elections, according to KFF.org. The boot camp hoped to mobilize more of its community members to take action.

“So, we really need to get out and try to encourage our youth, our young people everybody, old and new,” fundraiser coordinator for the Council of Negro Women, Katrice Cook, told WLOX. “And it’s very hard in the Black community to get out and vote. So whatever we can do enhance and improve that, we are here for it.”

The roundtable specifically championed Black women as prominent voices for change and empowerment in the Southern state. The group, now led by Executive Director Cassandra Welchin, continues its programming to spark social and political reform. The Power of the Sister Boot Camp connected with Black voters on their biggest concerns, and the importance of exercising this right.

“We know the power of Black women being a part of every political, social, environmental movement in this country and behind democracy and voting,” Welchin said. “We understood the assignment and we still continue to understand the assignment, and when we talk about here and Mississippi, we continue to show up and vote.”

More eyes look toward Black voters, expected to account for 14% of the vote this year, according to Pew Research. With these statistics in mind, the voting boot camp was a critical election measure.