Harris-Walz Campaign Launches HBCU Homecoming Tour to Mobilize Black Voters in Battleground States – Essence

With a couple of month until Election Day, the Harris-Walz campaign is ramping up its grassroots efforts by organizing homecoming tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Homecoming season is one of the necessary times for HBCUs, celebrating the wealthy culture, history and sense of community they’ve built over generations. The campaign’s decision to launch at this significant time is meant to connect with Black voters in key battleground states corresponding to North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Not only are these states crucial to the upcoming election, but also they are home to a few of the most famous HBCUs in the country. According to the campaign, we are going to send surrogates, including Black elected officials, national leaders and celebrities from each the HBCU and hip-hop communities, to engage directly with students and alumni.

The tour begins today, September 28, at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) as the varsity celebrates its 132nd Founders’ Day. The campaign will include a tailgate on the WSSU vs. football game. Bowie State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Other stops on the tour include Lincoln University and Virginia State University on October 12, followed by stops at Howard University, North Carolina A&T State University and Clark Atlanta University on October 19, and ending at Morehouse and Spelman College on October 26.

“Howard University helped shape everything I am today, and historically Black colleges and universities prepare the next generation of leaders” – Harris, a proud graduate of the university, recently published on X (formerly Twitter).

HBCUs have long held a special place in American education. Founded to serve black students once excluded from mainstream institutions, it has been on the forefront of educational excellence, cultural expression and political engagement for over 150 years. Homecoming at these institutions is greater than just a college tradition—it’s a celebration of Black pride and progress that brings together alumni, students, and the encompassing community.

These institutions have all the time been centers of political engagement, making this tour a natural and effective way to reach and energize a key voting base. The Harris-Walz campaign builds on its recent momentum and engagement with the HBCU community. Last week, the campaign celebrated National HBCU Week, National Voter Registration Day and National Black Voter Day by hosting in-person and virtual canvassing events at 60 HBCU campuses.

“Vice President Harris has been very clear: she is not taking a single voter for granted, Black voters are not in our back pocket and we have to put in the work to earn their votes,” said Christale Spain, newly appointed National Commission on Black Affairs Director .Harris-Walz campaign’s involvement in an announcement to ESSENCE. “That’s exactly what we’re doing as we launch an HBCU tour of battleground states.”

Spain emphasized that “As president, Kamala Harris will chart a brand new path forward that features creating a chance economy that gives our community with real economic tools, not to mention her leadership as vp that resulted in student loan debt forgiveness for thousands and thousands of individuals, working directly to close the racial wealth gap and create thousands and thousands of recent jobs for black staff. Vice President Harris is the one candidate in this election who has made real progress for Black America – and she or he is just getting began.”

While last visit In an interview with the Atlanta University Consortium (AUC), Governor Tim Walz highlighted HBCUs’ legacy of political engagement and advocacy, recalling the Atlanta Student Movement’s fight for voting rights and racial equality. He also warned of ongoing voter suppression efforts, especially in the state of Georgia.

Additionally, the Harris-Walz ticket was endorsed by over 50 HBCU Football Legendsincluding Hall of Fame inductees and Super Bowl MVPs corresponding to Doug Williams – the primary black quarterback to start, win and be named Super Bowl MVP. Joining legends corresponding to Southern University’s Mel Blount and Maryland Eastern Shore’s Emerson Boozer, these athletes praised Harris’ commitment to justice and equality, expressing confidence that as president she is going to prioritize the well-being of all Americans.

Given the long-standing role of HBCUs in supporting political activism and social solidarity, the Harris-Walz campaign initiative could prove crucial in mobilizing voter turnout. As campaign efforts proceed, the impact of those efforts can be closely watched in the run-up to the November election.