We the People International is a Greensboro, NC based grassroots nonprofit organization that was created to merge entertainment and education for the purpose of uplifting youth and young adults in the Black community. We the People International launched its civic engagement initiative on Tuesday October 27th. The project was launched by a music video from soulful songstress, Vanessa Ferguson (NBC’s The Voice).

The song is entitled “I Won’t Let It Stop Me” and features a video depicting a man being bullied into missing his opportunity to vote. The voting location is the Historic Magnolia House, which was a safe haven for Black entertainers during the Civil Rights era. The song and video were written and directed by Brandon Davis (Brandon D), a local songwriter from the crime-ridden Martin Luther King area of Greensboro. Brandon D overcame his surroundings and went on to manage Grammy Nominated trio known as The Hamiltones (also local). The video also features local acts J Timber, Zitty (Dr. Z) Nxumalo and her Zodwa Dance Company, and a multitude of community figures and entertainers.

“We thought it would be powerful to create music and visuals that entertained and educated at the same time,” says Davis who is the People Over Politics Executive Producer and a cofounder of We The People International. "We know how impactful music can be on young minds. Information put out by PBS and other leading experts demonstrates music's ability to increase memory and learning.”

“I Won’t Let It Stop Me” is the first single from We the People International’s People Over Politics project. The intent of the project is to utilize educational music videos featuring Greensboro-based artists to highlight the disproportionate socio-economic challenges faced by Black people in Greensboro.

An artist himself, Brandon D pulled together a group of other influential musicians from the area including Ricco Barrino, ILLPO, Vanessa Ferguson, =Afika=, Zithobile Nxumalo, and community activist, Anthony “FreeDopeMajor” Morgan.

The People Over Politics full project will be released on Tuesday, November 3rd. Although 2020 elections will be over, the project will emphasize the importance of year-round civic and community engagement as the 2021 local elections approach.

Please visit the We the People International website, Instagram account, and hashtag #wethepeopleintl for more information. Donors who wish to support this project can do so via CashApp: $wethepeopleINTL

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