Clergy, Community Leaders Launch National Nonpartisan Voter Registration, Education and Mobilization Drive

On Friday, December 19, 2003, the African American Ministers Leadership Council (AAMLC), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering African American communities on the local, state and national levels, will launch a national non-partisan voter registration, education and mobilization campaign in preparation for the 2004 elections. The campaign, known as “Sanctified Seven – Victory Through Voting,” will encourage participants to register at least seven members of their community every few weeks leading up to next year’s election.

“Sanctified Seven will bring more voters to the polls and in the process, help participants understand that voting is one of the best ways to empower our communities,” said Kimberlee Trumbo, a Sanctified Seven coordinator for Cleveland, Ohio. “It brings us into the political process, encourages us to learn more about the issues that affect our daily lives and is a fundamental instrument for positive action in our communities.”

“Faith has long been a source of liberation and empowerment within the African American community,” said Rev. Darrell C. Scott, pastor of the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. “Sanctified Seven will use the motivating capability of faith to help people empower their communities through the power of voting and their presence at the polls.”

The launch event, a Christmas gospel concert and voter registration rally, will be held at the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Renowned gospel singer Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers will be performing. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Christmas dinner banquet beginning at 9:30 p.m. with a performance by gospel comedian and singer Broderick Rice. Participants will be asked to register to vote, or if they are already registered, to bring someone who is not yet registered to vote. Admission to the concert is free.

The AAMLC, a project of People For the American Way Foundation, was founded in 1997 to identify and implement practical methods of creating social justice. We work on the local, state and national levels to change lives through civic participation and seek to empower communities through nonpartisan voter registration, voter education and voter turnout.