We are so excited to announce that we are merging with I am a voter. I am a voter. (IAAV) is a fellow nonpartisan group creating a cultural shift around voting and civic engagement, and today we are bringing them into the HeadCount family to strengthen voter participation through the sharing of resources, expertise, and teams. For over two decades we’ve harnessed the power of music, culture and digital media to register millions of voters and inspire participation in democracy. Now, two nonpartisan, nonprofit women-led voting organizations are merging at a crucial moment in time, amid doubts around whether young people will come out to break the voter registration and turnout records set nationally in 2020.
“I am a voter. formed in 2018 to unify around a central truth: our democracy works best when we all participate,” said Mandana Dayani and Natalie Tran, co-founders of I am a voter. “We truly believe in the power of culture to inspire others and shape narratives. With the twenty years of critical infrastructure and programs that HeadCount has pioneered, this consolidation of expertise and resources promises to strengthen democracy and generate voter enthusiasm. We’re so grateful to be part of the HeadCount family and our collective journey ahead.”
“In this pivotal and polarizing Presidential election year, we couldn't be more grateful to have I am a voter. as a new part of HeadCount, a merger rooted in shared values, purpose and a mutual belief that the civic space needs less ego and more collaboration to get things done,” said Lucille Wenegieme, our Executive Director. “Together, at a time when potential youth voters don’t feel seen and their participation is questionable, our collective influential relationships across core cultural sectors from music and entertainment, to sports and fashion, will further our ability to meet next gen voters where they are. This is the kind of partnership that brings the biggest names in America to the table along with the education, resources, and energy that young people need come November.”
Both of our organizations have always led with a culture-first strategy to align democracy with people and brands this generation looks to most. The two entities have tapped young voters through the influence of celebrities and brands such as Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Rodrigo, NBA, MLB, Spotify, Barbie, Liquid Death, and Tony’s Chocolonely, among many others. Together we’ll amplify our ability to mobilize next gen voters by leveraging their digital-first technologies and proprietary programs, and by expanding our cultural footprint across music, sports, fashion, entertainment, beauty and tech to inspire and mobilize voter engagement.
We’ll continue our programming, including our Good to Vote campaign, which leverages the influence of brands, celebrities and influencers to engage, register, and turn out voters. The first project our new alliance will tackle together is Register a Friend Day on June 4, 2024, one of the largest voter registration events of the year, and the kick off to a robust season of nationwide initiatives to increase participation in National Voter Registration Day on September 17 and pave the way for Election Day on November 5.
Lucille Wenegieme, Mandana Dayani, Natalie Tran, and Tiffany Bensley will continue to be active leaders and spokespeople for their respective organizations. Within the IAAV campaign, the original founding team of 25 women will continue to volunteer their time, talent, and resources to scale its impact and launch several major initiatives this year. Mandana Dayani will lead the brand, marketing and messaging strategy. Founding partner, Natalie Tran, Executive Director, CAA Foundation will lead partnerships and provide strategic support, resources, and guidance. Digital Brand Architects will continue to be a leading partner on content strategy and influencer engagement. Tiffany Bensley will continue to oversee creative direction. Consultants Carla Hawkes and Maddy Roth will serve as co-executive directors. JBC, Element Brand Group, LaChambre, Bollare, The Right Now, and The Board will help lead collaborative communications efforts for the IAAV campaign and HeadCount broadly, and CAA Foundation executive Travis Merriweather will continue to serve on the Board of Directors of HeadCount.