100 Black men vote across Alabama in civic push
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
With the midterm elections 11 days away, 100 Black men across Alabama came together to cast their ballots and amplify a shared message: “Every vote matters.”
In Birmingham, participants captured the moment themselves—recording themselves showing up at the polls, casting ballots together and sharing videos online to encourage others to make their voices heard.
The statewide effort was part of National Black Man Voter Day, an initiative that promotes civic engagement through community conversations and group voting where early voting is available.
In Birmingham, community leaders, fraternity members, comedians, influencers and everyday voters gathered outside the Jefferson County Courthouse. Others mobilized in Bessemer, Montgomery, and Conecuh and Monroe counties to turn individual ballots into a collective show of civic engagement.
For voter Jerome Black, he wasn’t planning on participating, but an unexpected trip home from Auburn University made it happen. Black said he mailed his absentee ballot but returned to vote in person after finding out election officials didn’t get it. Black said he was grateful to be among the men participating in the initiative.
“Our ancestors fought real hard for us to have the opportunity to vote today,” Black said. “And I feel like everybody should take it serious. There’s a lot of Black men out here that’s not able to vote. I’m just blessed to be able to be one of 100 men that’s able to vote. It means a lot to me.”
The effort extended beyond the courthouse steps. With phones in hand, participants posted videos of their voting experience, using social media to reach people who were not there. Birmingham influencer LaDarrius Hutcherson said those with online audiences have an opportunity to use their platforms to promote civic participation.
“It’s important to use the same platform for the betterment of our people, especially Black men, to come out and vote,” Hutcherson said.
After casting their ballots, participants gathered at Eugene’s Hot Chicken, where the restaurant donated meals in support of the initiative. The gathering gave the men another opportunity to connect and continue the community conversations at the heart of the effort.
