PHILADELPHIA, PA — Black Men Vote (BMV), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Black men, is launching its new event, Shop Talk. Scheduled for Saturday, February 24th at First Decisions Barbershop in West Philadelphia, the event aims to foster dialogue, encourage voter registration, and galvanize community participation.
The Shop Talk event is more than just a gathering—it’s a vibrant open house experience set against the backdrop of a local barbershop. Attendees can look forward to an afternoon filled with food, music, and a merchandise giveaway, all centered around an hour-long, engaging conversation moderated by Dante Leonard, Executive Director of Smart Futures, a community development corporation in West Philadelphia.
Enjoli Timmons, Chief of Staff at BMV, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event, saying, “We are excited to launch our Shop Talk series to provide local community members with the resources they need to practice impactful civic engagement. This event will build buzz around voting and invite new voices to become active in the community.”
The significance of this event lies in its potential to effect change at the grassroots level. By fostering open dialogue about civic responsibilities and providing resources for voter registration, BMV is taking tangible steps to increase political participation among Black men.
The initiative is particularly important given the historically low voter turnout among young Black men. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, only 35% of Black men aged 18-29 voted in the 2018 midterm elections. Shop Talk, with its focus on community engagement and empowerment, seeks to reverse this trend by making politics accessible and relevant to everyday life.
This event also marks a significant milestone for BMV in its mission to empower Black men in civic engagement, community development, and the voting process. The organization, registered with the Federal Election Commission, actively works towards registering and engaging Black men nationwide at all levels of government—federal, state, and local.
Shop Talk is set to take place at Noon on Saturday, February 24th, at First Decisions Barbershop located at 113 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The event promises to be a landmark occasion in West Philadelphia’s civic calendar, offering an opportunity for community members to come together, share ideas, and make a difference.
As Philadelphia gears up for this historic event, it remains clear that initiatives like Shop Talk are critical for fostering civic engagement and empowering communities. The event spotlights the vital role that local organizations like BMV play in shaping the democratic process and ensuring that every voice is heard.
For more information, please visit the event page on the BMV website.
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