HBCU Votes Holds Voter Registration Drive with ‘A Different World’ Stars
Photo by Truth Jackson
By Truth Jackson, Staff Writer
Morehouse Student Government Association partnered with HBCU Votes to host a Hump Wednesday event on campus featuring special guests from the cast of the hit television series “A Different World.”
Cast members from the series shared their experiences with a crowd of more than 200 students and emphasized the crucial importance of voter registration ahead of the presidential election.
Multiple attendees reflected on the show’s portrayal of Black academic life and the significance of representation in media. The connection between the show’s themes of empowerment and civic responsibility resonated with attendees, illustrating how pop culture can inspire social activism.
Rollin Jackson, the 93rd SGA president, encouraged his peers to consider the long-term implications of their voting choices, emphasizing the importance of participation in shaping policies that impact their lives and communities.
“I think it’s important to vote in this election, but also in all elections, local, state and national,” Jackson said. “Every time you vote, it is important. This is our right. This is how we make our voices heard.
“If we don’t go out to vote, things can be happening in our community, and we won’t have any control over them. We need to make sure we get the right people in office and hold them accountable as well; that’s what our vote can do.”
Christopher Lambry, a sophomore at Morehouse, echoed Jackson’s statement. He encouraged students to take photos with voter registration signs and share their commitment on social media.
“We are making sure that students are not only registered to vote but also have voter awareness,” Lambry said.
This event is part of a broader initiative within the AUC to bolster student voter registration. This semester, several nonprofit organizations have visited the AUC to register students.
Sadeed Head with the Outreach Team has been registering students; he stressed the importance of people registering to vote before the deadline.
“October 7 is the deadline to register to vote,” Head said. “If you haven’t registered by then, unfortunately, you will not be able to vote in this upcoming election.”
U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams of Georgia’s 5th congressional district was in attendance and stressed the significance of voting.
“We have to make people understand what’s at stake in this election,” Williams said. “The voter registration deadline is coming up, and we have work to do. Go to mvp.sos.ga.gov and check your voter registration to find out where you need to go to vote. Voting registration ends on October 7, but early voting starts on October 15. Let’s get it done, y’all.”
This initiative exemplifies the power of college campuses as catalysts for political engagement, highlighting the critical role that young voters play in shaping the future. As Morehouse students prepare to cast their votes in November, the emphasis on civic responsibility is likely to resonate throughout and beyond campus to inspire others to join the movement for change.
Early voting begins on October 15, and Election Day is November 5. If you plan to vote early, visit sos.ga.gov to find your voting site. Additionally, students registered at the AUC will have a voting station located at Morehouse College.
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