Groundbreaking partnership urges voters of color to “vote themselves a raise” this election season with performances by top recording artists including Doug E. Fresh, Raheem DeVaughn, Charles Jenkins, and Lecrae
CHICAGO – One Fair Wage (OFW) and Black Voters Matter (BVM), leading national non-profit organizations dedicated to uplifting the fair wages, voter turnout, and voices of low-income communities and communities of color, have announced an invigorating program titled Raise the Wage.
“Our national movement to increase wages for millions of workers and people of color is at a pivotal moment of opportunity, and these concerts call attention to the urgent need for fair wages given the high cost of living, the top issue for voters of color in this election year,” said Saru Jayaraman, President at One Fair Wage.
This initiative features musical concerts and other entertainment-based events, aiming to build awareness and support for ballot initiatives and voter mobilization efforts in key battleground states, including Arizona and Michigan. The program is sponsored by multiple entities including the Black Churches Action Fund and will activate throughout DNC week beginning on August 19 and concluding on August 21.
“Between growing racial antagonism and rising economic inequality, this election season presents a significant opportunity to make a meaningful difference for the nation, especially underserved communities,” said LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter. “By coming together at the DNC, we can amplify our voices and ensure that the needs and rights of voters of color are front and center.
This diverse series of events will bring thousands of people of color together to raise our voices, our culture, and our spirits through music while mobilizing hundreds of thousands of unlikely voters of color to ‘vote themselves a raise’ in the 2024 election. Each night will spotlight a core value of the Raise the Wage initiative, featuring a star-studded lineup of events and talent. The series will kick off with a drag brunch hosted by Sapphira Crystal, encouraging attendees to use their voices. The series continues with concerts to celebrate culture with performances by singer-songwriter Raheem DeVaughn, singer Michael Minelli, and hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh and performances to uplift spirits with Christian rapper and singer Lecrae, along with gospel singers Le’Andria Johnson and Charles Jenkins. Additional events and performances will be announced soon. Tickets to all events are available for purchase at the Raise the Wage website.
Operating across multiple states, Black Voters Matter partners with local activists and organizations to amplify marginalized voices in the political process and ensure that these communities are empowered to impact decisions that affect their lives. In 2021, One Fair Wage was successful in raising minimum wages to $15 and eliminating the subminimum wage for tipped workers, giving tipped workers the opportunity to earn $15 an hour plus tips.
As polls indicate that the rising cost of living and jobs with living wages are pivotal issues for young voters and voters of color, the concert series is poised to play a significant role in ensuring that these communities are not only heard but are also motivated to take action at the ballot box.
For more information, event details and tickets, visit https://raisethewageevents.com.