Written by egmasylne
(Source: Praise 107.9HD2)
Joy Ann Reid is taking her voice and platform on the road with a powerful purpose: helping Black communities reclaim a sense of strength, hope, and direction. In a conversation with Cheryl Jackson on Get Up Mornings with Erica Campbell, the award-winning journalist and bestselling author opened up about her decision to join the State of the People Power Tour, a nationwide effort to reconnect with local communities and address the real issues they’re facing.
Reid explained that the tour was born out of a deep concern following the 2024 election. For the first time in recent history, data showed a sharp drop in Black voter participation—and even more troubling, a widespread feeling of disempowerment. “We’ve always been a community that feels empowered,” Reid said. “Even though we’re a smaller percentage of the country, we’ve always been at the forefront of civil rights and human rights. But this past election revealed a level of discouragement we hadn’t seen before.”
That realization sparked an urgent response. What began as a 24-hour live broadcast during the State of the Union—featuring podcasters, activists, and trusted voices in the Black community—quickly turned into a full-blown national tour. Within six weeks, the team organized visits to 12 cities to hear directly from people about what they need and how they can feel empowered again.
So far, the answer has been clear: economic struggle is the biggest issue on people’s minds. From Atlanta to New Orleans, residents have voiced the same concern—voting hasn’t improved their daily lives. “People are saying they can’t afford to live. They don’t see change coming from the choices they’ve made at the polls,” Reid shared.
In response, the tour has done more than just talk. In Atlanta, an organization gave away acres of land to promote a sense of ownership and empowerment. In another stop, families received up to $250 in utility relief. In others, seniors received grocery deliveries to fight food insecurity. Reid says the team is focused on tangible help, not just speeches.
She’s now inviting people across the country to take part in the next phase of the movement. The tour will wrap with the State of the People International Assembly on Juneteenth in Los Angeles—a major gathering meant to celebrate progress and push for more. Those interested in joining can register at stateoftheppl.com.
Joy Ann Reid made it clear: this isn’t just about politics. It’s about restoring power to the people and making sure communities feel seen, heard, and supported.
