Historically black colleges are again key to the election

HISTORY: For decades, historically black colleges and universities — or HBCUs — have played a prominent role in elections.

This year is proving no different.

CIARA MITCHELL, FRESHMAN: “I really like how the campus is making sure that all students are involved and voting because this is a really, really big election…”

This is North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s homecoming weekend.

It’s a weekend-long celebration of black culture, tradition, school pride and community spirit.

But there’s extra buzz – with the November 5th vote just around the corner for this campaign site.

JUSTICE MONTGOMERY, FRESHMAN: “Back at band camp they actually wanted to make sure everybody was registered to vote. So we had a whole classroom on how to register, you know.”

Young Americans could play a crucial role in the race with many voting for the first time in a presidential election.

:: 15 October 2024

HARRIS: “…when I came to Howard, when I was in college…”

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is an HBCU graduate herself.

She and her Republican rival Donald Trump have both campaigned with an eye on young and undecided voters.

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They have invested heavily in political ads and made numerous trips to battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina, where more than a dozen HBCUs are located.

“We know North Carolina desperately needs the youth vote.”

Tiffany Seawright is director of leadership and engagement at North Carolina A&T State:

“We are pushing for early voting, we are pushing for the youth vote. We urge them to vote, wherever they are // at this moment, to see students actually start to rise again. We have seen a turn for the better.”

While Harris has received strong support among young black women.

Trump has reportedly gained traction among black men…

…a state that some Democratic strategists say has been overblown.

A recent NAACP survey found that from August to October, the percentage of black men under 50 likely to vote for Trump fell from 27 to 21 percent.

CALVIN CHADWICK, ALUMNE: “We had Barack Obama, the first black president. And it’s time for a woman to take the lead. It’s time. I think it’s time.”

HBCUs have long been cultural and political hubs among black communities.

They were once the only places where black Americans could pursue higher education, as discriminatory laws prevented them from attending predominantly white universities.

CIARA MITCHELL, FRESHMAN: “I’m really glad that as an HBCU student, I can see firsthand that people actually care about our country, and they care about us.”