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HBCUs Figure in Obama's Campaign Strategy

Justin Moraczewski/the Famuan In April, the FAMU Marching 100 introduced Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at a rally in Tampa, Fla. The Democratic presidential candidate said of the Marching 100, "It is good when young people are doing positive things."

By Jameka Merriweather
Black College Wire

Singled out in Vibe magazine, dropped in some of hip-hop's hottest songs of the summer from the likes of Talib Kweli to Common, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination are focusing strongly on the student population, including those at historically black colleges and universities.

Obama is to be the keynote speaker for Howard University 140th opening convocation on Sept. 28.

In April, the Marching 100 at Florida A&M University introduced Obama at a rally in Tampa, Fla.

He was at Hampton University in June, and a year ago addressed graduates of Xavier University in New Orleans.

And like all the Democratic candidates, he participated in debates at South Carolina State University in April and at Howard University in June.

In an Associated Press article, Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith explained that Vibe put Obama on its cover "because for the first time since VIBE was launched in 1993, a political figure has burst on the scene and fired up young people in a major way. Because regardless of who wins the election, the Senator will have inspired many new voters to the polls. Because Obama is frank, brilliant, vibrant, and not cynical — all things that make him a perfect VIBE cover."

Candice Tolliver, senior communications adviser for African American press, said, "Senator Obama and the Obama campaign have done several events to show our dedication to historically black colleges and universities and other historically black institutions of learning."

In addition to his college appearances, Tolliver noted that in August, Obama spoke at an education roundtable in Dillon, S.C., at the J.V. Martin Middle School to address the disparities among public schools. Dillon was featured in a documentary, "Corridor of Shame: The Neglect of South Carolina's Rural Schools."

Obama has also supported legislation to better finance and support HBCUs. In May, Obama joined with Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., to introduce the Senate version of the Predominantly Black Institutions Act, which would provide $15 million in annual funding for such schools. It establishes a program for approximately 75 urban and rural colleges and technical programs that serve a large number of African American students — many who are the first in their families to attend college.

"The campaign is actively seeking students to help win in the early primary states like Iowa and South Carolina," Tolliver said.

In South Carolina, the Obama campaign hired a youth vote coordinator, Elizabeth Wilkins, whose main focus is to mobilize students statewide. She helped coordinate a step show and voter registration drive.

Barack Obama has "fired up young people in a major way," Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith said.

"The campaign's dedication to engaging historically black institutions isn't limited to the early states but also reaches to all HBCUs in states that have primaries on Feb. 5," Super Tuesday, Tolliver said.

These schools include Howard, Florida A&M, Clark Atlanta and Hampton universities, and Morehouse and Spelman colleges.

"Our national campaign organizers went to Georgia to instruct Camp Obama training seminars in schools like Morris Brown and invited students from all other HBCUs," Tolliver said.

He said Students for Barack Obama, Generation Obama, Camp Obama, My.BarackObama.com, and other initiatives bring in tens of thousands of young people across the country as activists.

Almost 20 historically black institutions have "Students for Barack Obama" chapters. Overall, there are nearly 500 such chapters across the country.

Students for Barack Obama is the official student wing of the campaign. It is a national movement of students at every school level, particularly college. It was founded by students.

Official chapters are on such campuses as Prairie View A & M University in Texas, Spelman in Atlanta, Hampton in Virginia and Benedict College in South Carolina.

Charli Cooksey, a political science major from St. Louis, is the official campus coordinator for Prairie View A&M.

"Our purpose it to get 20 percent of the student body registered to vote and pledge to vote for Barack Obama," she said. "We plan to do this through forums, social events, and educating people on why they should vote for Obama."

Cooksey attended a Camp Obama in St. Louis, where volunteers learned how to explain Obama's policies and other ways to recruit voters.

"We are employing a grass roots effort where you actually interact with people and go door to door instead of tactics like big-time commercials," Cooksey said.

Camp Obama, a nationwide training program for volunteers who are eager to plan an active role in Obama's presidential run, mirrors a boot camp where volunteers take a "crash course" in political activism.

Before he formally announced for president, Obama was asked whether African American students should try to swing elections by orchestrating drives to register and vote in blocs where HBCUs are located, rather than in their home districts.

"There's no doubt that young people have to vote as just a starting point for involvement," Obama said.

"That's absolutely critical. And I think that to the extent that you are active in the community where you're going to school, the idea of mobilizing voters around local politics is a terrific idea.

"I'd just be happy if young people voted anywhere they are. Unfortunately, young people tend to vote at much lower rates than older folks do. So, I think it's great to take the next step and try to be strategic about where to vote, but the first step is just making sure you're voting, period."

Jameka Merriweather, a student at Prairie View A&M University, is editor of the Panther. To comment, e-mail .

Posted Sept. 24, 2007