With just weeks left before the 2024 U.S. election, Black motorcycle clubs in Philadelphia have hit the streets to encourage Black men to vote. Rev. Alyn E. Waller, who has led Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphia’s largest Black congregation, for nearly 30 years, joined a different kind of assembly on Saturday: 100 Black men, mostly clad in leather, riding a fleet of roaring motorcycles.
“Here we are in Philly, 100 guys on bikes, and the police are helping us, not chasing us,” Waller said, as the motorcycles rumbled around him. “At the end of the day, we’ve done something good, not just for us, but for everyone.”
With days left before Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline and weeks before Election Day, Waller and his group targeted men in historically Black neighborhoods, where voter turnout and political engagement have been low, encouraging them to register and vote.
“We’ve got Black Bikers Vote, Black Men Vote, and people who care about democracy riding bikes through Philadelphia, reminding these communities to exercise their right to vote,” Waller said.
Joe Paul, executive director of Black Men Vote, didn’t ride a motorcycle but dressed the part for the warm day in a black moto jacket. He emphasized the importance of engaging a demographic that often feels overlooked.
“If we’re revving up these engines, we know brothers are going to pay attention. It’s important for them to see themselves riding through the neighborhood,” he said.
This election cycle, Black Men Vote set a goal to register 100,000 Black men nationwide. Paul said they’ve reached about 95% of that goal, with 60,000 registered in Philadelphia alone.
This local effort comes as the presidential race tightens, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump targeting key battleground states and Black male voters, who could play a pivotal role in the election. While most Black voters, including Black men, support Harris, more young Black men are showing support for Trump.
A recent Howard University poll of likely Black voters across seven key states, including Pennsylvania, showed 84% supporting Harris, 8% backing Trump, and another 8% undecided. The poll also highlighted age and gender gaps: among Black men under 50, support for Harris drops to 68%, compared to 81% of Black women in the same age group.
In response, both Harris and Trump have ramped up media campaigns targeting Black men. Harris has recently appeared on Black-oriented platforms like The Breakfast Club and The Shade Room while hosting “huddles” with Black men across the country. Her campaign has introduced an “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” offering forgivable loans for entrepreneurs, educational and mentorship programs, legal reforms, and support for the cannabis industry. Trump, meanwhile, has leaned on his Black male supporters, including former NFL players Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
Across Philadelphia, other organizations have also rallied to mobilize Black voters, especially Black men. On the corner of North Broad and York streets in North Philadelphia, volunteers and passersby gathered around a DJ playing hip-hop, while a mural by artist Chuck Styles was unveiled. The mural depicts a Black father with his daughter on his shoulders heading to vote.
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“I’m a father and a husband, father of three beautiful girls. I wanted to show a father inspiring his daughter to think about the next generation,” Styles said. “It’s important for young Black men to vote—not just vote, but vote for what helps their community and their family.”
Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, stood near the mural as volunteers worked at a taco truck sponsored by her organization, according to NBC News. She noted that young Black voter registrations are up this cycle.
“I think the idea that people aren’t paying attention isn’t true. We’re going to see high turnout,” Hailey said.
Waller said he’s seeing increased engagement among Black men who want to get involved and are concerned about issues that matter to them.
“As Black men, we care about more than just criminal justice reform. We are entrepreneurs, businesspeople, homeowners, and college graduates with student loans. We want real discussions about economic issues,” Waller said.
Philadelphia rap legends Freeway and Beanie Sigel performed at the event, urging the crowd to vote.
“Young brothers want to know their voice and vote count. A lot of them don’t think it matters,” Freeway said. “Our mission is to encourage people and let them know their voice matters.”
Sigel added: “We’re bringing awareness to the youth that your voice counts, and it’s bigger than this election.”
As for their own votes, the pair said they’re still undecided.
“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Sigel said. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
Freeway agreed: “It’s tough. We’re both Muslim men, and there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. I know what I have to do, but it’s not easy.”
About an hour after Waller and his group left Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, they arrived at Container Village, an outdoor Black business hub in West Philadelphia, where vendors sell everything from pies to handbags out of reconfigured shipping containers.
Organizers declared the ride a success, with their message as loud and clear as the roar of their motorcycles.
“We ride for all kinds of good causes,” said Rev. Mark Tyler, founder of Black Bikers Vote. “But this one is personal. Many in our network have given up on voting. We want to renew hope and show them that their vote still matters.”
