Black Voters Matter

Black Voters Matter
Name	Black Voters Matter
Formation	2016
Founders	Cliff Albright; LaTosha Brown
Type	Nonprofit advocacy organization
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Focus	Voter mobilization, civic engagement, political power for Black communities
Methods	Grassroots organizing, grants, training, litigation support

Black Voters Matter

Black Voters Matter is a U.S.-based political organization dedicated to expanding Black political power through voter registration, turnout, civic engagement, and community capacity building. Founded in 2016, it operates at the intersection of contemporary electoral politics and the longer history of the Civil rights movement by prioritizing resources to Black, rural, and marginalized communities to defend and expand voting rights and public power.

Overview and Mission

Black Voters Matter (BVM) aims to increase Black voter turnout and strengthen grassroots organizations by providing training, small grants, technical assistance, and strategic support. Its mission emphasizes building sustainable civic infrastructure, advocating for policies that address racial disparities, and combating voter suppression. BVM frames its work as both electoral and structural — seeking immediate electoral outcomes while advancing longer-term community capacity, economic justice, and accountability consistent with the legacy of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Historical Context within the U.S. Civil Rights Movement

BVM locates itself in a continuum with the 20th-century struggle for voting rights exemplified by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Selma to Montgomery marches, and grassroots organizing traditions of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and SNCC veterans. The organization draws lessons from historical campaigns against disenfranchisement and contemporary challenges following decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder (2013), which altered federal oversight of state voting changes. BVM's emergence responded to both the 2010s-era expansion of restrictive voting laws in states like Georgia and Alabama, and renewed emphasis on racial justice after events that energized the Black Lives Matter movement.

Voter Mobilization Strategies and Programs

BVM deploys a mix of grassroots tactics and institutional supports: door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, digital outreach, voter education, and get-out-the-vote operations. The group operates a grant program that provides direct funding to local organizations and community leaders, strengthening groups that work in rural counties and majority-Black districts. Training covers organizing skills, leadership development, and compliance with election law. BVM has prioritized targeted interventions in battleground states including Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, often coordinating with local chapters and community institutions such as historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like Spelman College and Morehouse College for civic engagement drives.

Advocacy, Policy Priorities, and Legal Engagement

Beyond turnout operations, BVM advocates for policy changes to protect and expand voting access: restoration of the Voting Rights Act protections, automatic voter registration, opposition to restrictive voter ID laws, and expansion of early and absentee voting. The organization partners with civil rights legal advocates and participates in coalitions seeking redistricting reform and combating felon disenfranchisement. BVM has worked alongside legal organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund on litigation and advocacy campaigns that respond to state-level policy changes.

Impact, Outcomes, and Notable Campaigns

BVM has been credited with helping increase turnout in pivotal elections, notably contributing to mobilization efforts in the 2017-2020 cycle and the 2020 United States Senate special election in Georgia, 2020–21 runoff contests. Its small-grant model and voter education campaigns have been linked to stronger civic infrastructure in targeted counties, influencing municipal elections, school board races, and statewide contests. The organization has received national attention through media coverage and endorsements from civil rights figures and progressive elected officials. BVM leaders Cliff Albright and LaTosha Brown have testified before legislatures and appeared in public forums to highlight threats to voting rights and the importance of local organizing.

Partnerships, Coalitions, and Grassroots Organizing

Collaboration is central to BVM’s model: it partners with local nonprofits, faith-based groups, labor unions such as the AFL–CIO, student organizations, and community coalitions. The organization often coordinates with national civil rights groups—NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center—and progressive policy centers like the Center for American Progress on campaigns addressing voter access and racial equity. BVM’s network-building emphasizes empowering local leadership rather than centralized control, supporting smaller groups with funding and logistical support so they can lead in their own communities.

Criticisms, Controversies, and Challenges

BVM faces several challenges common to civic organizations: sustaining funding for grassroots operations, navigating partisan polarization, and responding to accusations of partisanship despite its stated community-focused mission. Critics from both conservative and progressive perspectives have questioned the allocation of grants or strategic endorsements in certain races. Operational challenges include combating sophisticated voter suppression tactics, addressing misinformation, and scaling local capacity in the face of restrictive state laws and court decisions. BVM continues to adapt its tactics amid changing legal landscapes, including responses to state-level bills restricting voting access and administrative changes affecting election administration.

Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States Category:Voting rights organizations