With just over a week left until Election Day, the Democratic National Committee is firing on all cylinders.
On Monday (October 28), the Democratic National Committee announced a historic “I Will Vote” advertising campaign, targeting Black voters through ads in 55 Black publications and 48 Black radio stations across the United States. Grammy Award-winning Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers Stevie Wonder, John Legend and LeToya Luckett-Coles will lend their voices to the event, along with Emmy Award-winning actress and producer Kerry Washington.
Wonder, Legend, Luckett-Coles and Washington each created a unique ad focusing on different elements of the upcoming election. Wonder stresses the virtues and importance of voting in elections because they “determine our future”; Legend unequivocally points to the Democrats’ success in capping insulin prices at “$35 per month for seniors”; Luket-Co Sears reminded the audience that “several women in states across the country are actually dying because they take away our right to reproductive health care,” and Washington encouraged voting “if you want to lower the cost of living.”
“This investment demonstrates Democrats’ unwavering commitment to reaching Black voters through platforms they trust — including familiar Black voices across the airwaves — to ensure they have a place to vote in their most important election. “We know the Black vote will play a significant role in the outcome of this election… In the final sprint to Election Day, Democrats are taking no vote or community for granted and taking advantage of every opportunity to engage with our diverse community. All parties are reaching out to the League of Voters to elect Democrats on the ballot this November.
Some of the Black digital and print publications that will launch new ad campaigns include africa news digest, baltimore times, Ebony News Today, new orleans tribune, pride magazine, Zion Star, Black letters and villager.
The “I Will Vote” event coincides with the Democratic National Committee’s HBCU Homecoming Tour in partnership with BET We VOTE, which concludes with Spelman College and Morehouse College’s Spelhouse Homecoming Festival . The delegation also visited Winston-Salem University (September 28), Lincoln University (October 12), Virginia State University (October 12), Howard University (October 19) and North Carolina A&T State University (October 19).
All of the artists participating in the “I Will Vote” campaign have supported the Democratic Party in the past. Wonder performed his 1973 Hot 100 single “Higher Ground” (No. 4) at this year’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago (held August 19-22); a few weeks later, the musician Legend has released a poignant new single called “Can We Mend Our Nation’s Broken Hearts,” his first new song in four years. The song was quickly replaced by a short arena tour called “Sing Your Song!” As we mend our nation’s broken hearts.
Legend is also performing at the 2024 Democratic National Committee. The EGOT winner teamed up with Sheila E. for a passionate rendition of “Let’s Go Crazy,” paying tribute to Prince, who is in the same state as Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (Minnesota). Although she’s not a musician, Washington also lent her star power to the Democratic National Committee, serving as host of the final night of the convention while reuniting with the DNC. scandal Co-starring (and fictional president!) Tony Goldwyn.
Luckett-Cole has a Billboard 200 No. 1 album (2006) Letoya), is a former member of Destiny’s Child. In the Grammy-winning vocal group, she sings with Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Robertson and Beyoncé, whose Kendrick Lamar-assisted Beyonce’s “Freedom” has become Vice President Kamala Harris ’s official campaign song.
