Watch The Yard announced today that is a founding partner of Michelle Obama and Chris Paul’s When We All Vote VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge.

On Wednesday, When We All Vote Co-Chairs Michelle Obama and Chris Paul launched When We All Vote’s VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge in a video message.

The Squad Challenge will train HBCU students to create their very own Voting Squads on campuses around the country and engage voters for the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.

The Squad Challenge is When We All Vote’s very first campaign for Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and will empower HBCU students to take a leading role in voter registration, education and mobilization efforts on their campuses and their surrounding communities ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Through the challenge, Squads on HBCU campuses across the country will receive grants of up to $3,000 to support their nonpartisan voter registration, education and mobilization efforts, which can include hosting events and voter registration drives, training new volunteers, educating voters and canvassing their campus and surrounding communities. The Squads that implement the most creative and culturally relevant ideas will be eligible to win campus events and activations with celebrity appearances in partnership with BET.

“As a proud HBCU graduate, I know that our Historically Black Colleges and Universities are the heartbeat of Black culture, and it’s critical that we make sure voting is a part of that culture.” said Stephanie L. Young, Executive Director of When We All Vote. “For decades, HBCUs have led the way in social change, and I’m excited to work with students, alumni, educators and our partners on HBCU campuses to reach our communities in real and engaging ways that allow our voices to be heard in the midterm elections and beyond. And I’m also thrilled to start this work early to end the cycle of engaging these campuses only in the fall before major elections.”

“Watch The Yard is proud to be a founding partner for this campaign. As a center for Black college culture online, we are positive that our reach and engagement with HBCU students across the nation will help get out the word about voting for the 2022 midterm elections.

Learn more about the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge at whenweallvote.org/voteloud.

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