BYV! BLOG IS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!

Welcome to the Black Youth Vote 2008 BLOGSPOT!

My name is Diallo Brooks, and I am the Co-Chair of the Black Youth Vote! Advisory Board. My sista in the struggle, BYV! Co-Chair Chancee Lundy, will be blogging on Saturday, April 12th to close out our official 12th Anniversary of Black Youth Vote!/BLOG LAUNCH WEEK. BYV! came to be a program of the National Coalition On Black Civic Participation in April 1996 because of a great need to give young black voters a collective voice, and a space to train to become political leaders.

Since 1996, hundreds of young people have been a part of BYV!, strengthening our movement in every election cycle, increasing turnout of black youth and the number of black elected officials nationwide. Additionally, BYV! continues to increase its presence in the black community, as more and more inspired young black folks reach out to us asking: "How can I get down? How can I bring Black Youth Vote to my area?"

So here we are in 2008, and it seem more than ever before that young black people are motivated because of the pressing issues in our community. Efforts of blatant racism seem to be restless across America, and the media has proven only to perpetuate it. Incidents of injustice continue to spur across northern and southern states, while presidential candidates largely ignore the problems of a flawed and at times racist justice system. We're in an economic recession (but black folks have been in an economic recession for much longer) that is affecting people of color disproportionately. Gas prices are off the charts and sadly, on the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination, pundits continue to attack our most sacred institution, the Black Church.

Given all that is happening in the world, young black people still have power. With a political landscape shaped by the 2008 elections, the world's eyes are focused on our community. Historically our civic influence has changed the face of government and the politics of the country. So to commemorate our 12th anniversary along with Dr. King's assassination, we are officially launching our BLOGSPOT by publishing guest commentaries all week on Race, Politics, and the Youth Vote. Our guest bloggers will share their unique perspectives, and hopefully engage people worldwide in the discussion on the political and cultural significance of the POWER of young black people at the polls. The schedule:

4/7 Monday: Diallo Brooks, Black Youth Vote! Co-Chair
4/8 Tuesday: Hill Harper. Actor, "CSI NY" and Activist
4/9 Wednesday: Stefanie Brown, National Director of NAACP College and Youth Division
4/10 Thursday: Dr. Joe Leonard, Executive Director of Congressional Black Caucus
4/11 Friday: TBA SPECIAL GUEST
4/12 Saturday: Chancee Lundy, Black Youth Vote! Co-Chair

So stay tuned in! Please feel free to join us regularly from now on, comment on blogs that spark your interest, and holla at your folk! We've got many more great things to come.

In Solidarity,

Diallo Brooks, Black Youth Vote! Co-Chair