WLRN reports that the organization Black Men Win Together has started a new initiative aimed at bringing men from across South Florida together for a day focused on empowerment and voter education. Partnering with the South Florida Black Prosperity Alliance, the first Black Men Win Tailgate event was held on August 25 in Miami. The event provided a free opportunity for men from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties to connect. Co-Founder Ed Ponder emphasized that the gathering was more than just a social event; it was a call to action, encouraging men to engage politically and strive for positive change in their communities beyond the 2024 election. “We are thrilled to launch the Black Men Win Tailgate,” Ponder stated. “Our goal is to create a space where Black men can exchange knowledge, build community, and drive impactful change.”
Participants at the event enjoyed food trucks, vendors, and educational sessions while also having access to voter verification and registration stations. Amid a national climate of voting rights challenges for Black voters, attendees discussed issues affecting the Black community, with fact-checking stations providing information on statements from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
“This event is about starting a legacy and making history,” said Eric Knowles, Co-Founder of the South Florida Black Prosperity Alliance, highlighting the importance of the gathering. “There aren’t always safe spaces for Black men to come together and support each other, but we’re all in this together.”
Black men have become a significant demographic in the 2024 presidential election discussions. With Harris bringing attention to Black men’s concerns, both political parties have begun to address issues affecting this group, who often feel overlooked in public debates leading up to the election.
According to Miami Times Online, Jefferson Noel, founder of Barbershop Speaks, expressed enthusiasm for the event, saying it energized him. “Being part of Black men coming together and empowering each other is inspiring,” Noel said.
Since Harris announced her campaign, Black Men Win has been highly motivated, raising over $1.3 million from more than 17,000 donors shortly after her announcement. Other groups focused on Black men are also promoting awareness about voting and election-related issues. The Alpha PAC, a prominent Black male political action committee, has endorsed Harris, with its chair Everett B. Ward calling her “the clear choice for the nation’s future.” In Atlanta, the Black Man Lab offers a weekly “safe, sacred, and healing space,” attracting about 100 men each week.
