T.I. is the spokesperson for The Hip Hop Caucus’ “Respect My Vote!” campaign which launched on July 28, 2008 in Washington, DC.

[Respect My Vote is] a powerful new voter registration and Get Out the Vote campaign that combines the power of celebrity and media with 21st century grassroots organizing tactics to mobilize and educate young people between the ages of 18 and 29, who are not in college. The campaign slogan, “Respect My Vote!” and t-shirts were unveiled today at a press event in Washington, DC, with DJ Green Lantern, Dawn from Danity Kane, Young Berg, Maino, Wale, Young Steff, Washington Wizard Etan Thomas, Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Killieberew, Immortal Technique, Pleasure P, World Class Sprinter and Champion Michael Walton, BET Executive Vice President Stephen Hill and many others turning out to support.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. and T.I.

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The campaign, led by T.I., will employ other celebrities, athletes and high profile influential figures to get out the vote in a variety of ways including PSAs for radio, television and online use; in person appearances; press events; mobile and email alerts from celebrities themselves; and an aggressive online campaign. Famed photographer Jonathan Mannion has been exclusively tapped to shoot portraits of the famous faces adoring the “Respect My Vote!” slogan and t-shirt produced by forthcoming AKOO clothing line as well as direct and produce the PSAs. Confirmed participating talent will be announced throughout the campaign leading up to the November election.

Dawn from Danity Kane

Grassroots voter registration activities will be led by Hip Hop Caucus community-based street teams in seventeen (17) cities across the nation: CA (Bay Area), FL (Miami), GA (Atlanta), IN (Indianapolis), MD (Baltimore), MI (Detroit), MO (St. Louis), NC (Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham), OH (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus), PA (Philadelphia), TX (Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston), VA (Richmond), and DC (Washington, DC).

Hip Hop Caucus President, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., who helped create VOTE OR DIE! with Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2004, explains, “No matter who wins in November, if large numbers of young people do not vote, then we all lose. It does not bode well for the future of our country, and our Democracy, if young people, particularly those who are not in college, are not engaged or involved in the electoral process. This campaign is critical in strengthening our Democracy and thus protecting our freedom.”

Source: The Hip Hop Caucus and Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award Winning Superstar T.I. Announce Partnership to Create Major Voter Registration and Get Out the Vote Campaign

Photo credit: WireImage

Here is a WTOPNews.com report on the “Respect My Vote!” campaign launch.



Here is T.I.’s interview on Good Day Philadelphia



Via Nah Right – Video: T.I. Interview w/ Good Day Philadelphia

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Photos: T.I. “Respect My Vote” Campaign Launch 7-28-08