August 8th 2024.
The Black church has a long history of influencing voter turnout. Recently, Pastor Dr. Jamal H. Bryant launched Project 5-5-5 at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The goal of this initiative is to counter the conservative, far-right Republican agenda known as Project 2025 and mobilize voting efforts across the state. To achieve this, national organizations and public figures like Mayor Jazzmin Cobble of Stonecrest, Esq. Mo Ivory, District 4 commissioner elect, and Congressman Hank Johnson joined forces to become agents of change. Together, they outlined objectives and plans of action and showed their support for the collective initiative.
One of the main messages behind Project 5-5-5 is the importance of coming together in numbers, a sentiment that was emphasized by Yatonya Oliver, president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc for the Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter. She stressed the bottom line of the initiative, which is to get people out to vote in order to protect democracy. Her advice to voters was to take four friends with them when they go to the polls.
Darrell Taylor, president of the Kappa's Decatur chapter, is focusing on the youth and voter registration. He plans to target young adults, starting with those who are turning 18 this year. Taylor and his network will be hitting the streets in and around Dekalb County and the Southeast region to spread awareness and encourage voter registration.
Meanwhile, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc's theme for this election season is "Fortitude on the Frontline." Dr. Johnni Cruse Craig, the organization's social action chair, explained that their mission is to promote education, registration, mobilization, and protection around voting. She also pointed out the connection between voter suppression tactics and the ongoing oppression faced by the Black community.
In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Pastor Jamal H Bryant opened up about his JHB movement and Project 5-5-5. He explained that the initiative was born out of a need for the Black community to become more mobilized. He also acknowledged the apathy and skepticism among young African Americans towards voting and stressed the importance of educating voters on policy rather than personality.
Bryant revealed that the next step for Project 5-5-5 is to focus on voter education. They will be providing materials and talking points to be used in various settings such as barbershops, fraternity meetings, and church sermons. On October 5th, they will be holding a major voter registration drive in partnership with all the organizations involved. And on November 5th, they will be working tirelessly to get everyone out to the polls.
At New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where Bryant is a pastor, they are committed to registering 2,000 Black men to vote. This demographic is often overlooked but has the potential to make a significant impact on the election. They will be using their resources, including a fleet of vehicles, to reach out to senior centers and college campuses and educate people on the importance of voting and what Project 5-5-5 represents. Additionally, the church serves as one of the largest polling stations in Dekalb County.
As the country prepares for the upcoming election, Bryant reminds us that it's not just about political parties or personalities, but about the policies that will affect the Black community. He urges everyone to get informed, get involved, and make their voices heard through their vote.
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