It’s definitely election season and South Carolina is the topic on the lips of every candidate.  Our state is a hotbed of political potential and candidates are vying for our support and our vote.  Most importantly, the black vote is at the top of almost every candidate’s political target.  In 2008 President Obama was able to defeat Clinton simply because he was able to gauge over 50 percent of the African American Democratic vote.  With over 95 percent of blacks voting as democrats, candidates understand without the black vote, it will be a challenge winning the 2016 presidency.

This past week, Essence, The Huffington Post and The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation presented a Women’s Black Roundtable in Charleston, S.C.  This “Power of the Sister Vote” Townhall meeting met in order to start and dive into the depth of what black women want from the next President.  The moderator for the night was the dynamic April Ryan (yes THE April Ryan), White House Correspondent, NAACP Image Award Nominee and Author.  She was joined by a host of other impressive black women from across the country and right here in Charleston, S.C.  Special guests included outspoken actress, NAACP award winner and star of, Living Single, The Cosby Show and Last Man Standing – Erika Alexander, Tara Setmayer – CNN Commentator, Visiting Associate Professor at the College of Charleston – Dr. Marguerite Archie Hudson, Melanie Campbell – the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and a long list of other stellar women. Of course, let’s not forget the men who joined in the discussion, including S.C. Senator Marlon Kimpson and Reverend Nelson B. Rivers.

The discussion started out with a local panel of professional women deliberating on how to leverage the black female vote.  Discussion and questions from the audience ranged from what we can do in our own communities to promote voting to how to deal with the struggle of black women’s daily lives and the turmoil of what is going on around us.  The discussion, in a room full of vigorous black women was met with many ohh, ahhs and amens!

The second round of panel discussions turned into a power summit.  Erika Alexander sparked the discussion with her take on how the black community continues to poison itself daily. She challenged the status quo of what we listen to, watch and read and enforced the idea that these systematic stimulates make it challenging for us to sit down, be positive and come together as a force.

By the end of the night, what was meant to be simply a discussion turned into a revival! You must check out Erica Alcox’s “Smooches & Red Rice” blog  – she sparked the entire event!

The event left every participant speechless! There is nothing like good women, great conversation and the power of prayer – Essence was NOT ready for Charleston!  This was one of those events where you had to be there in order to understand – it was truly amazing.  In the meantime, visit the Black Women Roundtable website and check out the 2016 Voter’s guide to find out where the candidates stand http://bwrvoterguide2016.org/ .