Riding for Awareness: Black Riders Get Out the Vote
The national election occurs in less than a month. News of the cancelled debate may have indicated the end of voter awareness for some, however for many local organizations there is still a need to ensure voters enact their right to vote.
That is exactly the goal and mission of We Ride We Vote — Oakland. Co-hosted by We Ridin’ Black and The Cycle Addix_2020, the event gathered Black riders from across Oakland to pedal 25 miles through the city to increase awareness and register voters. The ride began at Oakland Technical High School with stops at Defremeray Park, Lake Merrit, Red Bay Coffee, the Black Cultural Zone, Castlemont High School and ended at Kingston 11.
Nicole Felix, one of the organizers, stood on a truck bed and spoke to dozens of riders at Defremery Park. Felix reminded the riders of the goal, “ We are encouraging everyone to get out and vote. If you can, vote early and take your ballot to the registry office.”
Route organizer Tyehimba Jelani emphasized the need for visibility. “We are going to take what some might consider the long route. It is important that we engage with the community and so we are going to ride the route that allows us to do that.” With his call to action, the Black riders started off towards the Mandela Grocery Cooperative and then onto Lake Merritt. The group was so large it spanned an entire city block.
Sisters Dovie and Alberta Huston joined the ride. “We need a change. I heard about the ride and wanted to be a part of the change,” shared Dovie. “We rode past people who said they were not registered and it is important that people register,” added Alberta. Dovie and Alberta are members of Black Girls Do Bike, one of several organizations participating in the #WeRideWeVote event including 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Get It Girl Fitness and California Urban Cycling Fun among others. The collective effort is important as Alberta noted, “When you see a movement of Black riders, people take notice.”
Local candidates for office also came out to engage with riders. Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Derreck Johnson, and Treva Reid spoke to the crowd — less about the specifics of their campaign and more on the importance of voting in both the national and local elections. Large and small businesses also supported the ride with sponsorship from national companies LunaBar, Body Armor, and small businesses Miss Olies and PoundBizness.
Giving Back While Raising Awareness
We Ride We Vote — Oakland not only encouraged local residents to vote, it also gave back to those who came out. Oakland Natives Giveback handed out school supplies to the youth. “We wanted to give our support to the riders who are sweating and riding across the community,” stated founder Dr. Nyeisha Dewitt.
Understanding that the current crises of Covid-19 continues to impact the community, Oakland Natives Giveback placed a golden ticket in one bag at each stop. The recipient of the golden ticket was given a $100 money order. Dewitt explained the need to get out the vote and give back to those who came out , “Some people do not believe voting matters because we have been cheated in the past. It matters. We need to show our kids it is our duty. We also wanted to show that part of our duty is to give back. The $100 is our way of giving back to others during this hard time.”
Latoya Robinson, the lucky recipient of the $100 golden ticket at the Black Cultural Zone stop was deeply appreciative. “As a single parent and trying to give my kids the best life possible, the supplies and money really help.”
Robinson is registered to vote.
Lanette Jimerson is a Bay Area native, writer, and scholar dedicated to supporting youth and adults in increasing their literacy skills. Learn more at The Literate Self.
