Producer Will Packer Launches Voter Drive and FAMU Fund at Rally

Hollywood film and television producer Will Packer led a political rally at his alma mater, Florida A&M University, to urge students to vote in the midterm elections.

Rally and Fund Launch

Packer appeared at the October 23 event in Tallahassee alongside Democratic candidates Angie Nixon and David Jolly, who are running for the U.S. Senate and governor in Florida, respectively. He told the crowd that decades of Republican control in Florida have resulted in the significant underfunding of Florida A&M, which is one of 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. During the event, Packer announced the launch of a private fundraising effort called the Rattler Freedom Fund. He aims to build a private funding model for the university to make it independent of government control, with plans to extend the model to other HBCUs in the future. Packer graduated magna cum laude from the school in 1996 with a degree in electrical engineering.

Political Stance

Packer stated that events over the past two years, including attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and changes to high school history curriculums in Florida, motivated him to speak out. He also voiced support for Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat running for governor in Georgia. Packer acknowledged that taking a political stance carries risks in a polarized climate, comparing it to the hesitation people expressed about hosting the 2022 Academy Awards telecast. He argued that high voter turnout from Black communities in key states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas is vital for electoral success. His rally at FAMU was broadcast live on the daily news and commentary program 'Roland Martin Unfiltered' on the Black Star Network and YouTube.

Context

Historically Black Colleges and Universities are institutions established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans. As public or private entities, public HBCUs often rely heavily on state appropriations and government funding, which makes them vulnerable to shifts in political leadership and legislative priorities. Voter turnout campaigns in battleground states frequently target college campuses to mobilize young and minority voters ahead of elections.