Comparatives cultures and politics senior Makayla Bolton, external president of Successful Black Women of MSU, spoke to the crowd about the historical role of voting and the obstacles many Black Americans have faced.

“This is my first presidential election, and I’m so excited to vote because our ancestors really had to choose between feeding their families or paying the poll tax to be able to participate in the democracy that they are a part of,” Bolton said.

Bolton also reminded students that early voting is still available in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building through Nov. 3.

“Election Day should really be your last option of voting,” Bolton said. “It’s really imperative that we vote early... Please remember to vote for the people you love because not voting is truly a hate crime.”

Criminal justice senior Miselo Chola, political affairs director for BSA and internal president for Successful Black Women, said her goal for the event, and in the days leading up to the election, is to see Black students get engaged and vote.

“The Black youth is a very key, pivotal percentage of elections and our votes,” Chola said. “I just want to see our students happy. I want to see our students feel like they have a say.”

With Election Day less than a week away, Chola said Black students and all students should think about themselves and what they are voting for.

“Think about yourself, your future and your family," Chola said. "Think about the Black men and Black women who have raised you, your siblings. Think about everything that will impact your community and yourself and your children and your future.”

If someone is still unsure of who to vote for, Chola said doing research and reading candidates' proposed policies is a place to start.

“Think about who we are as Black people in America, Black students, and think about the repercussions and the consequences that will impact us deciding on if we vote for one person or another,” Chola said.

Chola also said she believes Black voters will have a pivotal role in this election.

“Students on this campus have a say in who gets on the Board of Trustees this year,” Chola said. “Students on this campus have a say in a battleground state. I think we will have just the impact we’ve had on the election in 2008, on the election we had in 2020 and on the election we have now in 2024.”

Though she can’t vote as an international student, Chola said thinking about her friends and family who will be voting pushes her to advocate for others to vote.

“I want to fight for Black People here in America, and just because I’m not from here doesn’t mean that I can’t fight for my people,” Chola said. 

Human biology junior Brianna Briggs, external president of BSA, encourages people to vote early to avoid standing in line for hours on end.

"Two years ago, (student voters) were out at Brody for like six hours in one line,” Briggs said. “That can be very stressful, but I definitely want to say vote early and also inform yourself of what you are voting for.”

Briggs is a first-time voter and is motivated by many issues such as reproductive rights and education.

“BSA is nonpartisan, but I feel very strongly about being able to have the choice to choose your reproductive rights and education,” Briggs said. “I encourage everybody to do their research, but the Black vote means so much.”

Social relations and policy senior Tayler Jones, political affairs director for BSA, said her goal leading up to the election is making sure college students in the Black community know how important their role is.

“We are so impactful in the next generation, and we need to be a part of who is elected into office," Jones said. "Whether we side with one candidate or another, our voice matters."

Jones spoke about voter stereotypes, saying most people think Black students’ roles don't matter or that voting doesn’t matter. This event, Jones said, shows the opposite. 

“When you have events like this, you bring a community together and you really show them the information that they need and how easy it can be,” Jones said.

Jones understands most people in the community don't vote because they don't think they will make a difference. She pushes back on this, saying that swing states like Michigan "have such a big impact because of communities like Black people."

Echoing Chola, Jones said students should research candidates so they can vote for who resonates with them most. 

“It doesn’t matter what you vote for, as long as you do research into what these candidates stand for,” she said.