Exclusive: Check Out Gabourey Sidibe’s ‘Work The Pole,’ PSA Directed For Spread the Vote Campaign
BlackFilmandTV.com is exclusively showcasing a PSA for Spread The Vote, directed by Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire). In this playful spot called “Work The Pole?”, an intergenerational exchange about civic duty leads to a hilarious misunderstanding that ultimately ends with a pitch-perfect pearl of wisdom. Created as a “call to action” to inspire young people to become poll workers for the upcoming election.
Kat Calvin, founder and executive director of voter ID and turnout organization Spread The Vote (www.SpreadTheVote.org) recently the new PSA campaign #WorkThePolls, to help engage, inspire, and empower young people to become poll workers across America in this election year. #WorkThePolls taps the unique voices of notable film industry talent, including Gabourey Sidibe, John Cameron Mitchell, and Robin Frohardt, who will create the entertaining and innovative viral videos.
Launching in early September, the #WorkThePolls PSAs are being produced by award-winning independent film producer and CEO of Gamechanger, Effie T. Brown (Dear White People, Real Women Have Curves) and independent producer and founder of 15minutes, Wellington Love. The videos are made under Gamechanger’s aegis, with full COVID-19 precautions in place. Besides Sidibe’s video, the other is written by Golden Globe Award nominee John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and directed and designed by Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Robin Frohardt, known for her plays and puppeteering.
In addition to the above-named artists, the creative contingent for #WorkThePolls includes twin sisters JaNeika and JaSheika James, writer/producers on Empire and the upcoming Gossip Girl revival; writer/director Antonio Macia, Independent Spirit Award-nominated for Anne B. Real and Latinx actor/comedian Erik Rivera, whose stand-up special Super White is currently streaming on HBO Max.
About Spread The Vote: In three years of advocating and advancing voter registration, Spread The Vote helps non-voters attain what they need to vote — particularly IDs, education, and transportation. Spread The Vote has built a nationally recognized ID-obtaining organization with over 150 local, state, and national partnerships. These have spanned from the Florida Department of Corrections and New Orleans Public Defenders to grassroots food banks and churches. Building on these accomplishments, the 2020 voter education initiative is working around and through COVID-19 to obtain IDs virtually; shore up a vote-by-mail program; and bridge generations to ensure that young and old alike support each other in getting to the polls this November. To date, Spread The Vote has obtained nearly 5,000 IDs — which are essential to not only cast a vote but also to maintain jobs and housing.