The recent “Roll to the Polls” event on October 24, 2024, was a significant initiative led by the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Memphis Metropolitan Council, focused on boosting voter participation in Memphis.
Members of the “Divine Nine” — traditionally African American fraternities and sororities — put aside any perceived rivalries to unite for a cause: to help boost the turnout of voters in Memphis.
The goal was clear: to counteract Memphis’s historically low voter turnout by providing essential resources and encouragement for residents to exercise their democratic rights. Markeisha Walker, co-chair of the event, expressed a deep sense of pride in her city and the collective effort of the Divine Nine.
“We wanted to bring the whole city of Memphis together to promote voter mobilization,” Walker said. “Memphis and Tennessee in general have faced low turnout for elections, so we wanted to do something to change that.”
Anthony Sledge, NPHC President, highlighted the historic bond of the Divine Nine organizations, which have been united in service since the founding of the umbrella organization in 1930.
“We came together collectively to empower the communities, to educate them, mobilize them, and to come out and vote. All collectively, we are stronger together,” Sledge shared. The partnership with Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) provided free, accessible transportation to polling stations across the city, particularly targeting neighborhoods where access can be a challenge.
MATA Interim CEO Baccara Mauldin expressed her pride in supporting the initiative.
“We are proud to join the members of the Panhellenic Council,” she noted. “This is about ensuring everyone eligible to vote has access to do so. We’re not telling people who to vote for, but we want to make sure everyone gets the opportunity.”
The event’s impact was made possible by a coalition of dedicated sponsors, including Sanitas Medical Center, BassWorld Music, Grin City Professional Services, Silver Temple Solutions, and The Links Incorporated, who helped amplify the call to action.
As the event concluded, Walker and Sledge thanked the Memphis community for showing up and stepping up.
“I’m proud of my city, Memphis, Tennessee, and proud of the NPHC of Memphis,” Walker reflected. “We took on the job that most people only talk about, and it was hard work, but it was worth it.”
Through collective action and commitment to service, the “Roll to the Polls” event inspired Memphis to stand united in civic engagement and demonstrated the power of community-driven change.
