• by Danielle Oster , August 1, 2024

The Kamala vibe shift is in full effect.

As the DNC makes Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic presidential nomination official with a virtual roll call vote today, efforts are under way to ensure voters are prepared for the November election.

That includes a new campaign from BLK, a popular dating and community app focused on the Black community, teaming up with nonprofit partners including Michelle Obama’s
When We All Vote national initiative to increase voter participation for a campaign designed to empower Black voters.

Historically, black voters have faced significant barriers to voting, including discriminatory laws and systemic disenfranchisement. The issue has taken on a heightened sense of urgency in the wake of a Supreme Court decision to roll back provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as false claims of voter fraud were being used as justification for voter discrimination.

Jonathan Kirkland, head of brand and marketing at BLK, said in a statement: "This campaign is about reminding our users that their vote is their voice, and by participating in the electoral process, they honor the legacy of those who fought for this right."

To kick off the campaign, BLK released the results of a user survey analyzing initial perspectives on Kamala Harris. Sixty-four percent of respondents said they feel the U.S. is ready for a Black female president, and 65% of participants said they personally support the candidate.

The survey also found Black voters are more likely to vote in November with Harris as the new nominee, while 54% said they thought her nomination helped the Democratic party.

BLK also worked with When We All Vote on a streamlined voter registration portal for the campaign's launch, allowing voters to quickly check their registration status.

BLK also partnered with Civic Nation, a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives.

The app is also partnering with Power The Polls, a nonprofit initiative to recruit the next generation of poll workers.

Next month, BLK will add a pair of additional initiatives for National Black Voter Registration Day on Sept. 17: in-app voting prompts to generate discussions about voting among its users; and an “Election Mode” offering special features for politically engaged singles on the app. Another initiative will provide localized push notifications offering geo-targeted updates on voting deadlines and specific elections.

The campaign follows BLK partnering with When We All Vote for the 2022 midterm elections, which included a “No Voting No Vucking” video featuring rappers Trina and Saucy Santana.