The Democratic National Committee held a series of events to engage and mobilize Black voters ahead of the midterms at the 2022 Essence Festival in New Orleans. 

On Saturday, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison delivered remarks stressing the importance of the upcoming November midterms, and highlighted what is at stake – especially after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

 “81 million Americans voted for progress — to build a better America. We’re going to keep moving forward because that’s what all of you called for.
Our vote is how we bring hope back to America. Don’t let them take your hard earned rights. Do not let them take your freedom. The way you do that is by going to the polls and taking someone with you.”–DNC Chair Jaime Harrison

DNC Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond also held a Q&A session to discuss the efforts of the DNC to energize Black voters this cycle.

Alongside the DSCC, DCCC, CBCPAC, and Higher Heights of America, the DNC hosted a series of panels featuring members of Congress, Black candidates, and Black community leaders. In addition, the organizations hosted a booth in the Community Center of the Essence Festival for the relaunching of our Black voter engagement program “Our Values, Our Voice, Our Vote” to engage, organize, and mobilize Black voters.