TENNESSEE — On Tuesday, April 16, Black Voters Matter kicks off its “The Big Pay Back – TSU $2.1 Billion” college tour in the Blackest Bus in America to mobilize students as a part of its “We Fight Back” campaign and bus tour. This 3-day college tour will focus on three universities: Tennessee State University (TSU), The University of Tennessee (UT), and the University of Memphis (U of M). BVM, its local partners, and student organizations including TSU NAACP, U of M Graduate Association for African American History, UTC NPHC, and UTK NAACP will host a series of text banking events designed to engage and empower students.
BVM seeks is to empower students to use their power and call on the Governor to fully fund TSU as other land grant institutions have been. Students will join Black Voters Matter for a text banking party to engage Tennesseans on the issue of funding Tennessee State the 2.1 billion they are owed. Our call to action is clear, Governor Lee must put the 2.1 billion owed in his budget and fund the university.
Tennessee State University is the only public historically Black college in the state and according to research by the Department of Education, they are owed $2,147,784,704, the largest funding gap of all the HBCUs in the United States. It’s important that not only Tennessee State students answer this call to action but also students at other land grant institutions such as the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. This isn’t just a local Nashville issue, it’s a concern for all students in Tennessee. The fact that every public land grant institution is receiving full funding because of the longstanding and ongoing underinvestment in Tennessee State University disadvantages the students, faculty, and community that the institution serves.
BVM understands that movements are started and maintained by young people with passion and purpose – that’s why we support their efforts and stand in solidarity with TSU students.
Participants:
- Black Voters Matter
- Equity Alliance
- UTK NAACP
- UTC NPHC
- U of M Graduate Association for African American History
- TSU NAACP
Tennessee Locations:
TUESDAY, APRIL 16 – UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE – KNOXVILLE AND CHATTANOOGA CAMPUSES
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: UTK Campus Text Bank Party and Community Engagement
UTK Student Center: 1502 Cumberland Ave Knoxville, TN 37916
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: UTC Campus Text Bank Party and Community Engagement
UTC University Center: 642 E 5th St Chattanooga, TN 37403
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17 – TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY – NASHVILLE, TN
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Rally and Text Bank Party
- TSU Campus New Residence Hall – F.I.S Room
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Talkback: How to harness your power Voter Registration
TSU Campus New Residence Hall F.I.S Room: Nashville, TN 37208
THURSDAY, APRIL 18 – UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS – MEMPHIS, TN
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: U of M Campus Text Bank Party
U of M Maxine A Smith University Center: 499 University St Memphis, TN 38152
