The explosive, thought-provoking film features acclaimed anti-racist educator and author and Nashville resident Tim Wise. It explores how American political leaders of both parties have been tapping into white anxiety, stoking white grievance, and scapegoating people of color for decades to divide and conquer working class voters and shore up political support. Immediately following the screening, we produced and moderated a panel discussion to dissect the film in a nonpartisan way and provide insight and concrete steps on what community members can do to ensure more people are registered to vote, more people do vote, and more people are engaged in the political process.
The Challenge: Our challenge was to help The Equity Alliance accomplish three objectives through this event. First, we wanted to achieve our shared goal of increasing civic engagement and voter participation. Secondly, we want to create more brand awareness for the organization and its mission. Lastly, we wanted to leverage the event as a volunteer lead generator so that it could attract more passionate individuals to help support their cause. Additionally, it was important for the nonprofit to partner with other organizations to register attendees to vote and to check to see if voters have been purged from the voter rolls.
The Result: More than 20 partner organization signed up to be communication sponsors to spread the word about the event. Pastor John R. Faison of Watson Grove Baptist Church, Dr. Pippa Holloway of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Kristal Knight of Emerge Tennessee, and Vonda McDaniel of the Central Labor Council of Nashville & Middle TN were enlisted as panelists. our agency director, Ashley Northington, served as the moderator. And, nearly 200 people showed up to hear the discussion and learn more about The Equity Alliance. Several dozen people registered to vote during the event, and several dozen attendees signed up to become volunteers.
