Penumbra Center for Racial Healing \ Voting Initiative
Black Out the Vote
#BlackOutTheVote was a nonpartisan campaign led by Penumbra Center for Racial Healing (formerly Penumbra Theatre) with a goal of increasing voter turnout among Black, Latinx, Indigenous and other historically disadvantaged communities during the 2020 election by removing a barrier to voting – the need to choose between earning a paycheck and casting a ballot.
In America, work keeps twice as many Black and Latinx voters from the polls as white voters so we asked business owners to stand with Penumbra by pledging to give employees paid time off to vote, ensuring all employees an equal opportunity to make their voices heard.
GIVING TIME OFF, TO TURN OUT
We asked businesses to use our #BlackOutTheVote social and physical toolkits to raise awareness, show solidarity and encourage other businesses to join the movement before and on Election Day. Physical kits included screen-printed posters, silver embossed “black out” paper to cover windows, “We’re Proudly Closed” signage for doors, all to effectively “black out” their storefronts, and turn them into street-level billboards.
Black Out the Internet.
The campaign extended into the digital realm with a website that housed information and social toolkits complete with pre-made social content for both businesses and community members to download and share to help get the word out about Penumbra’s mission. The toolkits also included blacked out “I Voted” stickers for proud participants to wear with pride.
Client Penumbra Center for Racial Healing
Creative Director Allison Hayes
CCO Marty Senn
Copywriter Michelle Lippman
Art Director Steph Hayden
Designer Whitley Mike
Producers Charlie Wolf & Lisa Mason
Special Thanks To our wonderful PR and Media department who helped convince numerous vendors to donate space and services and help spread the word.