ESSENCE Communications, Inc., the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women and communities reveals politician and activist Stacey Abrams as their October 2022 Digital Cover Star.
The theme of this issue is “Paint the Polls BLACK”. This will be an intergenerational conversation that speaks to the power of voting, specifically the power of Black people voting. Other ideas explored in the issue include:
- What does it mean for Black people to vote in their best interest? What does it look like, especially when we have varying ideas about what can benefit our community?
- How/why Stacey began to focus on voter turnout and organizing traditionally ignored communities (e.g., Black rural voters).
- Younger generations are more open to progressive and radical ideas around public safety and critiques of capitalism. While Stacey would be governing in a red state, how will she speak to the concerns of younger and progressive voters and not alienate them?
- Based on Stacey’s experience, what can motivate nonvoters? There is often a lot of condescension towards Black people who don’t vote, but there are valid reasons many feel disillusioned.
Stacey Abrams on electing officials
“We must elect candidates who see us, hear us, represent us, and have a commitment to passing legislation that ensures our communities have the opportunity to thrive.”
“[My parents] always reminded us that our faith should be a shield to protect and not a sword to strike down. This belief still guides me today as I fight to ensure that Georgians of all backgrounds are seen [and] heard.”
Stacey Abrams on voting
“What is the most devastating response to me is when someone says, ‘My vote doesn't matter.’ Of course, it matters. You may not win with your vote every time, but you make them work for it every time. That's the point. If somebody's got to work for something, they're not going to be as mean to you as they were. They're not going to ignore you the way they do.”
ESSENCE Voter Hub
On October 17th, ESSENCE will be launching a Voter Hub highlighting key races and priorities important to Black women voters during the 2022 Midterm Elections.
The Voter Hub will include:
- A 2022 Midterm Election Guide with profile features and policy plans for 20 candidates in the competitive races at the federal, state, and local levels. A few of these candidates include Summer Lee (PA), Maxwell Frost (FL), Muriel Bowser (DC), and Lauren Underwood (IL).
- Conversations surrounding the Black Census Lab and why we need a Black Census, how voter suppression laws could impact the Midterm Elections, the Black women poised to make history in this election, and more.
- A Senator roundtable discussion with moderator Angela Rye to address responses to ESSENCE Midterm Election Guide and other crucial issues.
- A direct link for readers to voter registration and polling information.
Credits
Written by Clarissa Brooks @chloeesuxx
Photographed by Gunner Stahl @gunnerstahl.us
Styled by El Lewis @el.lewis
Makeup by Jasmine Umrani using Fashion Fair @j.umranimua
Production by The Morrison Group @themorrisongroup
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