Media mogul Tyler Perry is helping to fund a $500,000 mobilization effort in Florida targeting Black voters in the key battleground state. He joins many prominent Black celebrities who are actively helping Black communities ahead of the 2020 presidential election on November 3.
According to The New York Times, Tyler Perry partnered with the Equal Ground Education Fund, to increase the engagement of Black voters in the state. Officially announced on Thursday (Oct. 15), the “Park & Praise,” initiative will target 25 counties and 250,000 Black residents in urban areas
“Park & Praise” will also hold events for voters to drop off their mail-in ballots; all while hearing gospel choirs, musical acts and faith-based leaders. The intention is to bring the “Souls to the Polls” model following social distancing guidelines amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“A national pandemic. Racial tensions. Blatant disregard for black bodies. A presidential election that can’t be won without the votes of Black folks; these have shaped the way we connect with voters,” said Jasmine Burney-Clark founder of the Equal Ground Education Fund.
“Despite Florida’s historical disenfranchisement of Black voters, they will hear our voices. Our work to provide robust voter education; to ensure that accurate information reaches our communities is the highest priority. This is exactly what this partnership with Tyler Perry is going to do.”