‘Learn How to Pitch’: Daymond John Talks to Black Enterprise Ahead of Black Entrepreneurs Day
by Daron Pressley

October 22, 2022

‘Learn How to Pitch’: Daymond John Talks to Black Enterprise Ahead of Black Entrepreneurs Day

Daymond John, widely known as the sharp-dressed, well-spoken investor and co-star of ABC‘s four-time Emmy award-winning show Shark Tank is in many respects the face of Black entrepreneurship.

Named by President Obama as the Global Ambassador of Entrepreneurship, John is managing a multi-million dollar empire that includes fashion, media, and philanthropy.

John founded FUBU in 1992, and the brand became a cultural sensation with the biggest names in Hip-Hop sporting the line. FUBU’s impact has lasted over 30 years. At its apex, the New York City-based company operated as many as 200 stores globally and achieved more than $350 million in sales.

The 30th anniversary of FUBU coincides with the upcoming third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day curated by John, presented by Chase, and held at the world-famous Apollo Theatre. The CEO of FUBU spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE ahead of the anticipated event.

“Money purely is simple. It goes from the uninformed to the informed,”

John told black enterprise.

In speaking about the problems he wishes to solve, the investor and TV personality said, “It has never been about making money. It has always been about being a part of something bigger. It is information that makes the difference in anything you are successful in. Whether it be health, relationships, or learning on Black Entrepreneurs Day about mistakes successful people made, it is important to get the information.”

(Image: Courtesy of Black Entrepreneurs Day)

Building off the success of last year’s event, Black Entrepreneurs Day will bring together iconic Black business celebrities and cultural icons to inspire, educate, and entertain.

“The driving force of educating people to excel, grow and make change is what matters, and it generally works out when done for the right reasons,” John said.

“The feeling of beginning something from the bottom always comes back to me when taking on an endeavor like Black Entrepreneurs Day.”

In 2021 the event brought in nearly 7 million views, gave away $250,000 via 10 NAACP grants, and took home two Webby Awards. New to this year’s event are “Game Changer Conversations” with Spike Lee, Tracee Ellis Ross, Venus Williams, Killer Mike, Shaquille O’Neal, and a live pitch competition from the Apollo in front of a panel of three judges.

John gave advice on the importance of setting goals and getting exposure for entrepreneurs.

“As a dyslexic kid from Queens, N.Y. I did not have access to life-changing conferences.”

“My advice is to go to as many events as you can virtually or physically to see successful people who look just like you. Make sure you go to events like BED [Black Entrepreneurs Day] to see more people achieving high levels.”

“…and learn to pitch!”

https://twitter.com/BlackEntrepDay/status/1578024714685251585?cxt=HHwWgoDQ2cDHouYrAAAA

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, John announced Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase will return for its third year, streaming live from Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. ET on BlackEntrepreneursday.com, Facebook, and more.

Black Woman Dragged Off Bus and Viciously Beat By Teens While Bus Driver Watches, Speaks Out
by Eric Moody

October 22, 2022

Black Woman Dragged Off Bus and Viciously Beat By Teens While Bus Driver Watches, Speaks Out

A woman is speaking out after a now-viral cell phone video captured a group of teens viciously assaulting and throwing her off of a Washington D.C. bus.

In an exclusive interview with news outlet FOX 5, the victim stated the attack was brought forth after reportedly asking the group of teens sitting nearby her to stop using foul language.

The victim has been identified by the New York Post as 42-year-old Kyla Thurston.

The request was made suddenly after giving up her seat on the bus to a young woman who came onboard with young children.

“I wouldn’t want, you know, no one else to have to go through this. It’s emotional just thinking about it,” Thurston told FOX 5.

 

Thurston says she asked the driver operating the bus to stop numerous times.

But despite her efforts and vocal requests, the bus driver continued driving.

“The bus driver made no attempt to stop the bus. He didn’t alert local authorities or anything to my defense,” Thurston said during her interview. “Even after I’m yelling at the top of my lungs, ‘Stop the bus, let me off the bus,’ the bus driver never stopped.”

Thurston says the driver would eventually stop at another location along the bus route.

That’s when she told FOX 5 that her attackers immediately kicked and pushed her off of the bus.

“At that point, the kids became unruly. They started being disrespectful, like saying things to me,” Thurston told FOX 5. “Then next thing you know, there were objects being thrown at me, and I was just like, ‘Thank You, Lord,’ because throughout the whole incident the only thing I could recall was the kids hitting me and kicking me – and I had no defense.”

Thurston stated during her interview that she hopes her traumatic experience, which left her bruised with injuries and emotionally shaken up, will influence officials to find ways to prevent this from happening to another bystander simply riding on public transportation.

“I’m going to continue riding Metro because like I said, I don’t fear nobody but God,” she added.

In a statement, a Metro spokesperson called the incident “disturbing” and “unacceptable.”

The Metro Transit Police Department is currently investigating the matter.

Ohio Youth Football Coach Shot, Killed in Front of Team After Practice
by Eric Moody

October 22, 2022

Ohio Youth Football Coach Shot, Killed in Front of Team After Practice

An Ohio community is mourning the loss of a youth football coach who was shot and killed Tuesday in front of his players after practice.

According to NBC‘s affiliate station WLWT, 37-year-old Jermaine Knox, a longtime mentor, was shot outside of the College Hill Recreation Facility in Cincinnati.

Another man was reportedly shot and wounded in the leg. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries according to officials.

Knox died at the scene, according to the Cincinnati Police Department.

A vigil was held Wednesday in honor of the beloved coach. Hundreds of friends, family members, and young players gathered to celebrate Konx on the same field where he coached football.

Knox, also known by his peers as King Maine, was recognized during Wednesday’s vigil with speeches and a balloon released in his honor.

“I can’t say anything bad about him because he didn’t have a bad bone, and he had a good heart,” a mourner told WLWT.

Another mourner told WLWT, “If you knew Maine, you knew he loved every last one of these kids. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for anyone.”

The praises continued as others described the impact Knox had on his community.

“The one thing about Jermaine, he loved this team with his heart and soul,” another person told WLWT.

“I only got one wish for the Trojan Black organization: to keep it going the same way he would.”

It is still unclear what led to the shooting.

The Cincinnati Police Department issued a statement on their Facebook page that the investigation is still ongoing. They have not publicly identified a suspect at this time.

No children were reported injured from the shooting.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 22, 2022

Necole Kane Exits xoNecole to Scale My Happy Flo Brand

Former Celebrity Blogger and Media Mogul, Necole Kane, is stepping down from the helm of her highly successful xoNecole brand to focus on her new wellness brand, My Happy Flo.

Kane founded xoNecole.com in 2015 – quickly finding success as a platform rooted in empowerment and lifestyle content for women of color. Through the site, the serial entrepreneur built a community that reached over 4 million women worldwide with daily editorial content and offline experiences with events – ElevateHer, Pajamas & Lipstick, and the xo Happy Hour podcast.

Recognizing the value and impact of xoNecole, Hollywood Producer, Will Packer, and Will Packer Media acquired the brand in 2017. Since then, Kane has been working with his company to grow the brand to be sustainable until her eventual departure.

Now, she is turning her full attention to My Happy Flo – a plant-based period relief supplement that works to balance hormones and alleviate heavy bleeding, intense cramping, and other PMS symptoms for a happier, healthier period.

When asked to comment on the transition from a media brand to a wellness brand, she explained: “I’m still serving the same audience that I have for years but in a new way. Our community has a unique set of needs that include Vitamin D3 and Iron deficiency but are often underserved and overlooked in the vitamin and supplement space. I am passionate about helping women of color who are struggling with heavy periods and fibroid symptoms and missing out on life because of it. The statistics regarding black women and fibroids are alarming and we wanted to help do something about this silent epidemic.”

Leveraging her personal experience and that of the millions of African American women in her xoNecole community, Kane discovered various studies which reveal that 80% of African American women will be diagnosed with fibroids by the age of 50. Additionally, Black women are also 4 times more likely to get a hysterectomy than other races and they are also 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from period trauma. Due to the lack of education around what a normal period looks like, it can take women up to 10 years to see a doctor for her symptoms or  get a proper diagnosis.

“At My Happy Flo, we believe it is important to focus heavily on content around hormone health, endocrine disrupting chemicals found in the hair and beauty products specifically marketed towards African-American women, and signs and symptoms of estrogen dominance – a leading cause of heavy, painful periods,” said Kane. “There has also been a huge educational gap when it comes to the menstrual cycle being considered a fifth vital sign and serves as a monthly report card for our overall health. We weren’t taught that a heavy, painful period is not normal and can be the first sign of hormonal imbalances. When left unaddressed and undiagnosed, these imbalances can lead to fibroid development and breast cancer tumors, as well as other conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility.”

Kane knows all too well the harsh reality of hormone imbalance after her mom passed from estrogen-induced breast cancer at the age of 41. Kane, herself, has also suffered from debilitating periods for several years. However, with the help of holistic doctors, she was able to address her hormonal and gut imbalances naturally through plant-based remedies, vitamins, and minerals.

Kane is now championing holistic remedies for women with My Happy Flo. “In the past, when we’ve been offered a solution, it often caused more harm than good,” she said. “Hormonal contraceptives, painkillers, and hysterectomies shouldn’t be our only option for  period pain relief and with My Happy Flo, it doesn’t have to be.” 

In addition to supporting women during their period, My Happy Flo is committed to educating its audience. Plans are also afoot to expand the product range with holistic supplements that address various forms of hormonal imbalances and supports women through various stages of her period from menarche to menopause.  The company’s goal is to create a full-range of products that improve her sleep, energy, and digestive health and empower customers with information through monthly workshops, digital downloads, and in-person summits.

In its first year of business, My Happy Flo has won over $50,000 in grants and has grown organically without any digital ad spend. The daily vitamin has also helped thousands of women find relief from period pain and hormone imbalance which previously caused them to miss out on professional and personal opportunities and provided more holistic options when facing fibroids and other reproductive health conditions.

For more information about My Happy Flo or to purchase the vitamins, visit myhappyflo.co.

Daughters of Former NBA Player Who Killed Limo Driver, Upset He’s Being Honored By St. John’s
by Eric Moody

October 22, 2022

Daughters of Former NBA Player Who Killed Limo Driver, Upset He’s Being Honored By St. John’s

St. John’s University is receiving some strong criticism from the daughters of former NBA player Jayson Williams after their decision to induct their father into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

The decision comes after accusations of neglect in their lives following Williams’ role in the fatal shooting of a limousine driver in 2002.

Tryumph and Whizdom Williams wrote open letters they sent Friday to the press surrounding their concerns.

The letter reads in part by Tryumph:

To St. John’s University, the uniformed, or possibly, fools, misusing money to honor Jayson Williams:

I have spent 12 years trying to rationalize the actions of NBA All-Star Jayson Williams, a man clinically diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder.  My father’s story is one that has been told by the media and countless bystanders in America. Healing from such a very public tragedy, that was far beyond my control, has been an inexplicably painful journey.

Jayson is an alcoholic, who was emotionally and verbally abusive, a deadbeat father who lacks any sense of remorse. The most traumatizing memory is from about 8 years ago. He was heavily under the influence of alcohol and sleeping pills and he threatened to kill someone. Then he shut me in the garbage disposal room. Next, he forced my ten year old sister and me to clean up his vomit. I did not see him for years after that, which taught my first lesson about healing; acceptance.

The sisters also reportedly planned to send open letters to St. John’s University, which explained how the school should be ashamed of their father’s induction into the school’s Hall of Fame class during Saturday’s homecoming weekend.

Williams, 54, who once played for the New Jersey Nets (now known as the Brooklyn Nets) and Philadelphia 76ers, served more than a year in prison for the accidental shooting death in his New Jersey mansion of his chauffeur Costas Christofi.

According to testimony reported by the Associated Press, Williams killed Christofi with a 12-gauge shotgun while showing it to friends after failing to check if the weapon was on safety before snapping it closed.

The testimony adds that Williams wiped down the weapon afterwards and placed it in the chauffeur’s hands, stripped off his own clothes, handed them to a friend, and jumped into his pool. 

Williams’ lawyers maintained the defense that the shooting was an accident and led to actions driven by panic.

While Williams made an apology to the victim’s family when he was sentenced for the incident in 2010, his daughters wrote in their letter that Williams never made official amends.

The sisters also reportedly accused the former NBA forward of neglect and emotional and verbal abuse.

Williams, who once signed a six-year $86 million deal, is also accused of failing to provide adequate financial support, which his daughter Whizdom accused her father of being an alcoholic and “a deadbeat father who lacks any sense of remorse.”

Whizdom, 18, is currently a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Her 19-year-old sister, Tryumph Jaye Williams, is currently studying theater at DePaul University.

Tryumph also had words for St. John’s University, according to the Associated Press, describing the school as “possibly, fools, misusing money to honor Jayson Williams.”

Williams reportedly declined AP’s request for comment.

St. John’s spokesperson Brian Browne wrote an emailed statement to the Associated Press that said:

“Jayson Williams’s life journey is one that includes childhood trauma, time spent in a homeless shelter, addiction, incarceration, and recovery; issues that impact countless American families. The family dynamic between Jayson and his children is not a matter that St. John’s University will discuss.

Part of the recovery and redemption process is restoring trust, accepting help, and finding comfort and support in the journey and that, coupled with his athletic accomplishments, is what St. John’s University recognizes with Jayson Williams during this Homecoming weekend.”

Since the incident, Williams has founded the Rebound Institute, which is an addiction rehabilitation program in the state of Florida.

Diversity Fatigue: Take a Breath and Keep it Moving
by Valerie Rainford

October 22, 2022

Diversity Fatigue: Take a Breath and Keep it Moving

A common theme I hear in organizations is leaders expressing fatigue about all the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

People of color are exhausted from carrying the uneven burden of keeping diversity dialogue and programs going. Some are also exhausted from the effort it takes to compete for management’s attention when one diverse community has been prioritized over another. White leaders express exhaustion—and even reverse discrimination—and wonder why there is so much attention on diversity. In a recent survey conducted by Deloitte (Build trust in diversity, equity and inclusion commitments), 40% of respondents in upper management roles said there is too much focus on diversity.

The fact of the matter is exhaustion exists because of the on-and-off nature of diversity programs over the past twenty years that have produced incremental up-and-down results at best. DEI, and especially “equity,” is not yet embedded in many organizational practices, and leaders have not created a sustainable diversity strategy. It is not a surprise then that when market downturns occur, DEI often gets deprioritized by the leadership team while performative programs and employee resource group activities continue without management engagement. It is a frustrating cycle—hence fatigue sets in.

DEI is hard work!

It takes heart, commitment, and action, especially in the current political, social, and economic climate. While many may be fatigued, this is a time to push forward, not to retreat. Companies who achieve success in this space will do so because they persevere through the fatigue. At Elloree, we have observed that leaders that successfully pushed through fatigue have a few things in common:

– A clear and deep understanding of their organization’s demographics and pockets of inequity; the determination and commitment to address them. They are looking at disaggregated data across all levels of their organization, so it is easy for them to see and deal with the facts. When leaders work with us through Elloree’s independent equity assessments, they walk away with eyes wide open that inequity is still alive and well in 2022.

– A greater cultural awareness and knowledge of historical context of inequities that have persisted fuels them to drive change. They may have experienced inequities themselves or have taken the time to educate themselves on past inequity and how it persists in the current day. They have made educating themselves their responsibility. At Elloree, we see evidence of this in a program we co-created with the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. called the Corporate Equity Center C-Suite Initiative. The program is designed for CEOs and their executive leadership teams as a two-day offsite event. It begins with a private tour of the museum. On the first day, participants engage in an enriching education of the African American experience. The program culminates with eye-opening business case examples of inequities that still exist in corporate America based on the themes we see in our independent equity assessments. Leaders leave the program awakened to history’s impact on the practices of organizations today, reinforcing that fatigue is not an option.

The most awakened leaders driving change have both historical context connected to modern day facts specific to their organizations and a commitment to driving change. These leaders understand that their organizational culture and outcomes will benefit when they act and not acquiesce to their own fatigue or the fatigue of others. Leaders leave Elloree’s independent equity assessment with a clear understanding of the gaps, opportunities, and actions they can employ to advance equity in their workplaces. Without it, it is easy to dismiss inequity as another organization’s problem and one not worth spending any more time on.

Leaders can take a rest only when their businesses have achieved parity. If equity is embedded in all policies and practices, diverse talent, reflected in cohorts such as, Black, Latinx, Asian and women will be hired, advanced, and retained at comparable levels. If that is not the case in your organization, then take a breath and keep it moving. Your diverse talent is more fatigued than you are.

Jackson State University Surprised With $100K Donation from Mars, and SNICKERS® on Good Morning America
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 22, 2022

Jackson State University Surprised With $100K Donation from Mars, and SNICKERS® on Good Morning America

Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan traveled to Jackson State University to celebrate Homecoming with the Tigers during a live broadcast of the show.

During the broadcast, the University was surprised with the announcement that Mars is donating $100,000 in support of the JSU Emergency Gap Fund.

“America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities like JSU are vital resources in educating an increasingly diverse workforce and the business community can step up to support diversity in higher education,” said Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley, North America.

“I am extremely proud to call Jackson home where my parents Dr. George and Pearl Vincent taught as JSU professors for 25 years. It is a privilege and an honor to give back to the legacy of JSU through the iconic Mars Snickers brand.”

The Jackson State University Gap Emergency Fund was created to help students who face a financial gap after all their financial aid and scholarships have been applied toward tuition. The program also provides financial support to students for emergency expenses, such as unexpected illness and accidents and economic hardships.

Director of Public Relations Rachel James-Terry and Chief Communications Officer Alonda Thomas accepted the check on behalf of the University.

“There are a lot of students that have financial need when it comes to paying for college. Just a little bit of money can help ensure that they can stay in school, and that’s what this money is going to go towards. Thank you to Mars and Snickers for this generous gift,” said Thomas.

Coach Deion Sanders, appearing with student athletes Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, discussed his mission to not only train student athletes, but to guide boys into becoming men.

“Oftentimes these young men come in with all types of histories and a lot of them are un-fathered, and we’ve got to build them and mold them and shape them so they’re men,” said Sanders. “So you may send me a boy, but through the trials and tribulations and the teachings, we’re going to send you back a man.”

During the show the Sonic Boom of the South, the Prancing J-Settes, the JSU Cheerleaders and students helped Strahan kick-off the morning on a spirited note. Senior student Marvin Meda was prepared to talk about his experiences serving as the first Latino head drum major for the marching band when the subject flipped to him specifically.

“Marvin is an outstanding student. He has been met with a lot of challenges, but he has definitely met those challenges head on in stride and the future is very bright for that young man,” said JSU Director of Bands Roderick Little, Ph.D.

Good Morning America surprised Meda by bringing his mother, Blanca Nieves Meda; brother Kevin Garcia Meda, and former high school band director Carlton Williams to town all the way from Dallas, Texas for the occasion.

“Seeing how Marvin was passionate about the band – not just his own section, but the whole band, that’s what put our eyes on him as being leadership material,” said Williams. “We’re just so proud of him.”

Stacey Abrams
by Derek Major

October 22, 2022

Exclusive: Stacey Abrams Is Fearless As Ever Heading Into Her Second Battle With Brian Kemp

Heading into her second election against Gov. Brian Kemp, Fair Fight founder and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams’ confidence is higher than ever.

“The first time was an opportunity to show Georgia what was possible and I’m proud of the work we did,” Abrams told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“In 2022, we are dealing with COVID-19, continued racial violence and economic turmoil for many communities and people are just exhausted. It’s been six years of non-stop elections trying to save our democracy and save our community.”

Abrams knows the Peach State is dealing with a lot. Many of the state’s residents are hurting financially emotionally and physically and they’re hoping for change.

Abrams is trying to create change by running for governor and if elected will put policies in place to benefit businesses, healthcare and education ins the state no matter what race, which hasn’t been at the forefront of Georgia’s political goals.

“Here in Georgia we have hospitals closing, we have gun violence, we have defunded schools, all of these disproportionately impact communities of color,” Abrams said. “I’m running for governor because I understand how important hits job is and without having a governor who sees us as well as serves us we’re going to be left out and left behind.”

“One example is that Georgia has a 100-year economic parity gap, meaning that under the current governor’s record and plan it will take more than 100 years for minority-owned businesses to achieve economic parity with majority-owned businesses.

Part of Abrams’ plan is to use Georgia’s $6 billion surplus and put it back into the pockets of its residents to make sure they have more opportunity in cities and communities, something Abrams admits she and her supporters have been waiting for.

“I’m excited, I’ve seen it across the state and the people I’m talking to, they want to get out and vote,” Abrams told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“They want to know they are ready for more. Georgians are excited and want what’s available, they want this money to be invested in their communities and know they can show up across the state and we’ll be there to help them.”

Abrams sports a robust plan for the Peach state that includes a plan for Black men, Black women, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders as well as the Native American community. The HBCU  graduate is currently sharing her vision on a bus tour running across the state to every region to make sure Georgia residents hear from her what’s at stake and what the true potential looks like for everyone in the Peach State.

The Fair Fight founder also knows it won’t be easy to defeat Kemp.

Since their last battle, Kemp has signed an elections restriction bill into law limiting absentee voting, drop boxes, and early voting. Abrams believes the best way for Black and minority voters are prepared to exercise their right to vote, is to be informed before going to the polls.

“We also know that voter suppression can be defeated by voter presence,” Abrams told BLACK ENTERPRISE. 

“When we overwhelm the voting polls with our presence, we can defeat the long-term effects of voter suppression. When we turn out to vote, it’s harder to stop all of us, so we need everyone to understand the aggressive voter suppression tactics in their community and make a plan to vote early, make sure they understand what the rules are where they live.

“In Georgia, early voting starts October 17 and runs up to November 4,” Abrams added.

“We have Saturday voting and Sunday voting but what is so much more important than anything is showing up because when we show up they cannot shut all of us down that’s what we saw in 2020 that’s what we saw again in 2021. In Georgia, if we hold our power and show up  we can change the future for ourselves our children and our communities.”

Morehouse College Graduate Told Steve Harvey He’d Help Make Him A Billion Dollars
by Atiya Jordan

October 21, 2022

Morehouse College Graduate Told Steve Harvey He’d Help Make Him A Billion Dollars

Thabiti Stephens is keeping good on a promise that he made to Steve Harvey.

Stephens currently oversees international business as chief strategy officer for Steve Harvey Global. After joining the brand in 2015, he swiftly went from chief of staff in 2017 to international business development director in 2019. His rise in rank is just one of the many tremendous wins on his resume, including acquiring the rights to Family Feud South Africa and Ghana.

The Atlanta native and Morehouse College graduate is no stranger to leading the charge. His multi-faceted business expertise is a reflection of his business mind.

In 2010, Stephens created an affordable shoe company that was previously featured in BLACK ENTERPRISE. Dubbed Steps by Stephens LLC, growing sales for the line of unisex leather and canvas shoes equated to food donations and charitable contributions.

“I knew that I wanted to start a company that focused on giving back,” Stephens said.

Five years later, Stephens met the famous father of his college classmate, Broderick Harvey Jr. He recalled telling Harvey that he had options to attend two Ivy league institutions until the entertainer presented him with a life-changing proposition.

“When I signed up, I told Mr. Harvey, ‘I’m gonna help you make a billion dollars and then I’m gonna part ways and do my own thing,’” Stephens told AfroTech.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Biti (@thabiti)

“Right now, we have done very good on that journey.”

“We probably have nine, or a few $100 millions more to go, but right now, I’m extremely happy to be in a position where I’m learning. Every day, I’m blessed to be the youngest in the room and building a name for myself working with presidents of countries, nations, and companies,” he continued.

“In the next five years, I’m really just going with the wind.”

“I have the opportunity right now to build something great.”

National Urban League Campaign Prepares Black Americans for Midterm Elections
by Derek Major

October 21, 2022

National Urban League Campaign Prepares Black Americans for Midterm Elections

It’s no secret that Republican-led states are trying to suppress the votes of Black people, but the National Urban League is making sure voters are prepared with its “Reclaim Your Vote” campaign.

The “Reclaim Your Vote” campaign is making sure Black voters have the information and documents needed to vote in the midterm elections. Additionally, the campaign provides a checklist and events that people can participate in or volunteer at before the big day.

Since Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, numerous GOP-led states have filed election restriction laws on early voting, drop boxes, and absentee voting. Some of the bills have made it illegal to provide food and water to voters waiting in line. Florida and Georgia have even given police the power to investigate and arrest people at polling locations.

“Reclaim Your Vote” has a bevy of digital tools where users can find out if they’re registered to vote, polling locations and hours, and a list of each state’s voter ID laws to help them avoid legal trouble and ensure their choices count. Users can scan the QR codes on the campaign’s main page for more information.

There’s a lot on the line in this year’s midterm elections as Republicans continue to push their agendas which include school choice, the end of abortions, and blocking Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Meanwhile, the midterms give Democrats a chance to gain more seats in the House and in the Senate to combat climate change, continue fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and manage rising inflation.

This year’s midterm elections feature 19 Black candidates, the most Black candidates in an election in U.S. history. Notable includes Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, Arkansas gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones, Maryland gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore, and Florida senatorial candidate Val Demings. 

“Reclaim Your Vote” also has information about where you can volunteer and become involved in the democratic process.

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