Black male leaders address voting challenges

A recent report from Power Broker Magazine found that local Black men have lower voter registration and turnout rates than their female counterparts and other demographics.

In addition, an estimated 8,600 Black male Pinellas County residents are unable to cast ballots due to prior felony convictions. Those statistics provided a backdrop for “A Candid Conversation on Why Black Men Do & Don’t Vote,” held Tuesday evening at the Woodson African American Museum of Florida.

Rev. Kenny Irby, faith and community justice liaison for the City of St. Petersburg, moderated a panel of seven men representing various generations, perspectives and public policy interests. After the event, Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, founder of coaching and consultancy firm Green Phoenix Solutions, stressed that “Black men do vote.”

“Talking about Black men as a monolith is in itself problematic,” Green-Calisch said. “We as a community have to understand that we are all nuanced, have intersections of our own and listen for the policies that interact with that.”

In addition to Green-Calisch, panelists included John Bailey, community outreach coordinator at Life From Inside Out; Marcus Brooks, executive director of the Center for Health Equity; Jamison Carnegie, outreach coordinator for U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor; City Councilmember John Muhammad; State Sen. Darryl Rouson; and Anthony Williams, owner of Get Zot Media.

 The Power of the Vote Collective, a non-partisan organization dedicated to maximizing Black voter participation in Pinellas County, organized the event.

Green-Calisch said the panel’s various perspectives and lived experiences helped provide an understanding of voting challenges. He also noted that a lack of consideration for the Black voting bloc’s nuance leads political candidates to “assume it’s a one-shot deal.”

“That, if they just do this, they can capture the Black vote,” Green-Calisch added. “This is a larger systemic situation. We have to acknowledge that all of us – every single American – live at the intersection of multiple different identities.”

The panelists unanimously agreed on the importance of civic engagement. However, they also shared the need for more inclusive and authentic representation.

Green-Calisch said he would like to see candidates spend more time in the community outside of election season. He also realizes that is a “tall order” once they assume office.

“However, it is incredibly imperative to not drop in and be extractive of communities,” Green-Calisch said. “Not to come in and say, ‘What do I need to get your vote,’ and then, peace-out.”

He explained the benefits of a candidate asking how they can help uplift people rather than what they can pledge to secure votes. Green-Calisch and others want to interact with potential and current representatives in their neighborhoods and at local businesses.

A lack of trust could also play a role in low voter turnout amongst Black men. Whether intentional or happenstance, broken promises can disenfranchise already hesitant voters.

The panelists discussed how much they should trust and forgive candidates who do not follow through on campaign pledges. Green-Calisch noted those politicians often return to the same voters during the next election cycle and ask for additional time to achieve their initial goals.

Media coverage could also exacerbate voting challenges. “We spend a lot of time talking about why Black men don’t vote, but we don’t highlight Black men that do vote,” Green-Calisch said.

“We have to acknowledge that a narrative is being created that we may fall into,” he elaborated. “Why should I care if other Black men don’t care? And then we have a self-fulfilling prophecy of Black men believing Black men don’t vote.”

The meeting concluded with a call for community leaders to promote civic engagement and encourage political participation. Panelists stressed the importance of voter education and helping others overcome systemic barriers.

Green-Calisch noted that running for any office is increasingly expensive. While grassroots organizing remains a critical campaigning element, supporters must also help attract “big money donors.”

In addition, Green-Calisch explained that candidates need that same support after winning an election. “We have a retention question, not just a recruitment question,” he said.

“We are asking people to go into spaces that were not built or designed for them – and not supporting them or giving them the tools they need to be successful once they get there,” Green-Calisch added. “We absolutely need more Black and Brown people to run for elected office, but what happens when they get there?”

After the presentations, the eight panelists anonymously answered how they believe Black men will vote in the upcoming presidential election. Two think a record number will vote, three said the turnout will mirror the 2020 election, two are unsure and one believes fewer Black men will vote this year.