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Our Purpose

To Increase Black Voter Participation in the Current Political Resistance

Over a year of research conducted between 2025 and 2026, Black Opps completed a two-phase research project to understand how to increase Black voter participation in today’s political resistance. Phase 1 focused on the economy, while Phase 2 focused on democracy. Across both phases, we conducted six national focus groups, two national polls, and two national content tests with thousands of Black people to better understand the barriers that prevent their resistance, the motivations that increase their resistance, and the actions we can mobilize them to take now to increase the likelihood that they vote later.

Our Solution

Black Opps messaging has the power to mobilize Black voters and made Black voters +10 points more likely to boycott and +7 points more likely to protest, and increased vote likelihood among Black men by +10 and Black younger voters by +11 points. Black Opps messaging used in a Gen Z-led call to action also increased willingness to host a voter registration drive by +11 points.

Phase 1 - Economy Findings

Download Phase 1: Economy Report Phase 1: Focus Group Clips Phase 1: Press Release

THE BARRIERS

that prevent resistance

  • Lack of resistance leadership/plan
  • Fear of arrest or violence
  • Disbelief that anything will change

THE MOTIVATIONS

that would increase resistance

  • Fighting back against racism and injustice
  • Defending personal rights and families
  • Defending American democracy
  • Attacks on Black freedom, power, and voting rights

THE ACTIONS

that we can mobilize them to take now

  • Voting in state/local elections
  • Encouraging friends/families to vote
  • Buying from Black-owned businesses
  • Boycotting companies

Phase 1: Economy

Focus Group Specs

For Phase 1 of the research, the coalition conducted three focus groups, one national poll, and a national content test to understand Black voters’ attitudes toward the current political environment and the state of the economy. The Black Opps coalition determined the actions that Black voters were willing to take to fight back against the actions of the federal government that harm Black communities economically—and the barriers and motivations of taking those actions.

Focus Group 1: Black Registered Voters, All Genders Under 40

Focus Group 2: Black Men Registered Voters Over 40

Focus Group 3: Black Women Registered Voters Across All Age Groups

Phase 2 - Democracy Findings

Download Phase 2: Democracy Report Phase 2: Focus Groups Clips Phase 2: Research Primer Phase 2: Message Guide Phase 2: Press Release

THE VILLAINS

that Black voters blame

  • Corporations and special interests
  • Donald Trump
  • Congressional Republicans
  • …and more

THE IDEAS

that Black voters will take action to defend

  • Black Freedom
  • Black voting rights
  • Racial Justice

THE RESOURCES

that Black voters need to take action

  • Know Your Rights Trainings
  • Detailed Plans/Demands for Community Action
  • Leaders with a Vision

Phase 2: Democracy

Focus Group Specs

In Phase 2, the coalition conducted three more focus groups, a second national poll, and a second national content test to understand Black voters’ attitudes toward the current political environment and the state of our democracy. The Black Opps coalition determined the villains that Black voters blame for the decline of democracy, what Black voters were willing to fight for, and what resources Black voters needed to fight back against attacks on democracy that harm Black people.

Black Opps Objectives

  1. Determine the tactics/actions that Black voters are willing to take to fight back against actions from the federal government that harm Black people.
  2. Determine the barriers that prevent resistance action and the motivations that increase resistance action in the Black community.
  3. Develop and test content that mobilizes Black voters to fight back against actions from the federal government that harm Black people and prepares them to vote in 2026.
  4. Create an activation index that segments the Black community from the most activatable to the least activatable.

Black Opps Research Team

Testimonials

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Media

Forbes Huffpost Politico Bloomberg Rawstory Notus

HIT Strategies is the leading Millennial & Minority-owned public opinion research firm in Washington, DC.

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