I’LL RISE AND VOTE: A Multi-state Concert Series and Engagement Initiative

On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Transformative Justice Coalition with its national, state, and local partners, including the A. Philip Randolph Institute, First Coast Leadership, League of Women Voters US, League of Women Voters Jacksonville, NAACP, Black Voters Matter, Rainbow/Push Coalition, NNPA, PFAW, and the Divine 9 are hosting “I’LL RISE AND VOTE: A Multi-state Concert Series and Engagement Initiative to Get Black, GenZ, and Millennials Out to Vote Ahead of the November Election!” Join us register to vote and check your voting status while enjoying good food, music, and games as we transform voting and the voting experience.

This event will kick off a multi-state “I’ll Rise & Vote” Activation and Concert Series beginning on September 21st in Jacksonville, Florida, and ending on November 2nd in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each activation and concert series will feature massive public outreach, Votercades, Portable gaming stations, Free Banned Book Give-A-Ways, Cornhole games, and lawn games; Popular local and national musical groups; Food trucks; Voter registration; Voter empowerment information; Voter Restoration Booths for formerly incarcerated and returning citizen; Voter Information for Homeless and housing insecure voters; Trained “Freedom Fighters” (GenZ/M voting rights activists) on our nationally acclaimed TJC “John Lewis ‘Make Good Trouble’ Vote Bus.” This is a free event; all are welcome and invited to participate.

As of 2024, GenZ/Millennial (GenZ/M) voters, ages 18-35, make up the most significant and surging voting bloc in the United States. In the last few weeks, voter registration has reached a fever pitch. However, this voter enthusiasm will confront a daunting minefield of deliberate disenfranchising barriers at the ballot box. The GenZ/M voting bloc is also the most diverse, multicultural, multi-racial, and inclusive bloc of voters in our country’s history. As a result, the GenZ/M voter is targeted by some state legislatures with malicious voter suppression laws calculated to make it more difficult for GenZ/YMs to vote. Additionally, the targeting of GenZ/M voters with the intentionally deceptive social media “no vote/don’t vote” campaigns is meant to discourage young voters, especially African Americans, from using their ballot power. “This is the first time African Americans, GenZ, and Young Millennials are positioned to lead the way forward in the general voting process,” said Barbara Arnwine, Founder and President of the Transformative Justice Coalition. “Collectively, this key constituency can vote to preserve democracy. TJC,” Arnwine continued, “intends to do its part to ensure all eligible votes are cast and counted. In 2024, Young voters will not be deterred, confused, nor denied from voting.”