As America inches closer and closer to Election Day, one cannot help but sense the political fervor and excitement that has engulfed this country and the AUC. This historic election has highlighted the importance of the young voter like none has before. Knowing this, organizations like Georgia Black Youth Vote! have targeted the AUC; on Wednesday, Oct. 1, they were able to bring Shad Moss, also known as Bow Wow, to Clark Atlanta and Morehouse.

Black Youth Vote!, along with Bow Wow, have embarked on a “Walk Across America” campaign to influence young people across the nation to register to vote and exercise their right on Nov. 4. At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, students from all over the AUC met with Bow Wow on the CAU Promenade. Shortly thereafter, a march began that took them through Clark Atlanta and ultimately ended at Morehouse College.

As the crowd made its way through the AUC, students were able to catch a glimpse of the entertainer as the excitement grew. Eventually the group was able to make its way to Hump Wednesday. Bow Wow addressed the group of students and adoring fans alike, urging them to register to vote.

Students in attendance were energized by his presence and despite the party-like atmosphere of the event, the students appeared to be on the same page with the young star.

William Kellibrew, a coordinator with Black Youth Vote! and instrumental member of the “Walk Across America” team, was excited about bringing Bow Wow to the AUC. After stops at other colleges and universities in the state, he expressed his content with coming to a campus where the rapper and his message were received with enthusiasm instead of indifference.

“The turnout was amazing,” Kelibrew stated. “It’s very exciting to see a young guy like Bow Wow, who’s so humble and just wants to influence his peers in a positive manner, have the noticeable impact that he had on the students of Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta today.”

Barrett Simmons, a junior Economics major who attended, was also pleased with the event. He said, “It’s good to see Georgia Black Youth Vote! and Bow Wow come to the AUC, being that our institutions have a history of involvement in political and social issues. With this election being so important, those of us in the AUC need to take the energy that comes with events like this and use it to spread the message to others.”

The next few stops for “Walk Across America” include North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama, just to name a few. For more information about the campaign, check out www.ncbcp.org.

Published: October 8, 2008 12:26 PM