This new merchandise will include products from diverse brands across the country, including Black-owned and woman-owned businesses
(Washington, DC): Today, When We All Vote announced its debut line of merchandise, Vote 4EVER Merch, as a part of the mission to change the culture around voting and increase participation in each and every election. With less than 55 days until the General Election and looming state voter registration deadlines across the county, this new line will help reach eligible voters in authentic and creative ways, and build excitement to participate in this and every election.
Like Mrs. Obama’s well-known “VOTE” necklace, these products are designed to be wearable, functional and cherished well past this current election cycle. Many products are gender-neutral, size-inclusive, sustainably made and hand made. The merch will be released in two drops. Brands for the first release include: Bright Black, Franca NYC, The Lip Bar, Modiste Collection, No Kings Collective, BYCHARI, DANZY and re—inc, a brand co-founded by When We All Vote Co-Chair, Megan Rapinoe.
“When Michelle Obama launched this organization in 2018, we set a goal to change the culture around voting, and Vote 4EVER Merch is a part of that mission. We know people, especially young people, make statements through what they wear and our hope is that this new line motivates more people to get registered and ready to vote, said Stephanie L. Young, When We All Vote Chief Officer of Culture, Communications and Media Partnerships.
More than 165,000 people have started or completed the voter registration process with When We All Vote, and the organization is taking every action and opportunity to register even more.
“To change the culture you have to be in the culture. When We All Vote is focused on reaching all eligible voters — especially people of color and young people. We are incredibly proud to partner with a diverse group of brands to help us encourage voters to not only vote, but celebrate voting like never before,” said Crystal Carson, When We All Vote Vice President of Communications, Culture and Media Partnerships.
“The vision for this collection was to create unique covetable pieces in collaboration with talented creatives and business owners around the country. With so many ‘vote’ products on the market, we put a lot of energy and soul into curating high-quality products that are thoughtfully designed. Made in Brooklyn, Durham, D.C., Detroit and L.A., our Vote 4Ever Merch brands in some small way showcase the beautiful diverse country that America is,” said Meredith Koop, Creative Advisor of Merchandise.
“To amplify When We All Vote’s mission, we leveraged existing culture and created connection points that felt familiar and personal. To achieve this, we curated a thoughtful collection of brands and integrated calls to actions through tools like QR codes on packaging that take you directly to voter registration — eliminating obstacles to participation and creating opportunities for organic digital storytelling moments that have the power to spark change,” said Sarween Salih, Brand Strategy Advisor of Merchandise.
When We All Vote’s Culture Team led by Stephanie L. Young, Crystal Carson and Jade Bernad, enlisted the expertise of Meredith Koop, Creative Advisor of Merchandise, and Sarween Salih, Brand Strategy Advisor of Merchandise, to develop the line. Products can be purchased here on Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Select exclusive items from the line will be available via next-generation retailer REVOLVE.com.
Photos were shot by Gary Williams, co-founder of Creative Theory Agency.
Vote 4EVER Merch includes apparel, accessories, jewelry, homeware and a beauty product from diverse brands across the country, including Black-owned and woman-owned businesses. The next release is planned for October. A percentage of proceeds earned will go to When We All Vote.
ABOUT When We All Vote:
When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that brings together citizens, institutions, brands, and organizations to increase participation in every election. Launched by Michelle Obama, the organization is committed to closing the race and age voting gap and empowering all eligible voters to cast their ballot by harnessing grassroots energy, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing digital organizing strategies, with the ultimate goal of changing the culture around voting.
Michelle Obama is joined in this effort by fellow Co-Chairs Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, Selena Gomez, Liza Koshy, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.
In the leadup to the 2018 Midterm Elections, When We All Vote organized over 2,500 local voter registration events across the country, engaged 200 million Americans online about the significance of voting, and texted nearly four million voters the resources to register and get out to vote.
In 2020, When We All Vote is helping to lead in voter education, registration and volunteer engagement. In response to COVID-19, When We All Vote is leading the fight for fair and safe elections by supporting the expansion of access to vote-by-mail, early in-person voting and online voter registration so every American can make their voices heard on Election Day.
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