On September 3rd, 2024, Watch The Yard and the Marcus Graham Project launched THE YARD VOTES, a nationwide voter registration kickoff call that brought together Black student leaders from across the country. With 450 registrants from 226 schools, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), the initiative spanned 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, making it a key effort in mobilizing young Black voters ahead of the 2024 elections.

The event connected attendees with critical resources to drive voter registration on their campuses. Key organizations such as Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, Movement Labs’ Postcard Movement, Vote to Live, and the Fair Elections Center provided tools to help students organize non-partisan voter outreach efforts in their communities.

Jonathan Rabb, founder of Watch The Yard, highlighted the initiative’s goal of bridging the gap between Black student leaders across different types of institutions. “THE YARD VOTES initiative is so important because it connects Black student leaders from a wide range of educational institutions. By bringing these leaders together, we’re not just amplifying their voices but empowering them to engage their communities in a meaningful way,” said Rabb. “It’s about using their collective power to drive civic engagement and make lasting change.”

THE YARD VOTES aims to build on the legacy of activism of Black student leaders at HBCUs and PWIs. By uniting Black student leaders from diverse educational backgrounds, the initiative creates an opportunity to reach a broader geographic audience. This expanded network enables voter registration efforts to penetrate more communities across the country, ensuring that more young Black voters are prepared to shape the political landscape in 2024.

Lincoln Steffens of the Marcus Graham Project emphasized the historical significance of student leadership. “The Marcus Graham Project partnered with Watch The Yard to create THE YARD VOTES movement because we understand that student leadership has always been at the forefront of social change. College campuses have long been breeding grounds for transformative ideas. This partnership is about empowering Black students to own their civic engagement and influence the policies that impact their futures,” Steffens said.

With the success of the September 3rd call, THE YARD VOTES initiative continues to build momentum, empowering Black student leaders to make a meaningful impact on their campuses and in their communities as the 2024 election season intensifies.