Huddle Up
Bridging the trust gap and building power with working-class Black and Latino men in swing states.
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Why Huddle Up?
Investing in Trust, Building Lasting Power.
The 2024 election delivered a painful truth: Democrats nationally underperformed with Black men. Many headlines framed this as betrayal or indifference, but few asked why. This prompted the launch of Huddle Up, a strategic listening project designed to do what most campaigns skip: genuinely listen.
Huddle Up aims to reconnect with working-class Black and Latino men in swing states, particularly those who did not vote for Kamala Harris. The project operates on the belief that meaningful civic participation cannot be demanded; it must be built through trust, relevance, and dignity.
Black Men’s Voter Turnout in 2024:
What Happened?
The numbers tell a story: Black men didn’t turn out to vote in 2024 at the levels needed to make an impact. Here’s what we know:
Lower Turnout in Key States
Georgia: Early reports show fewer young Black men returned to vote compared to 2020. Among Black men under 50 who voted in 2020, only 71% came back in 2024, compared to 81% of young White men. (Brennan Center)
North Carolina: Black voter turnout dropped from 19% in 2020 to 18% in 2024, according to official state data. Meanwhile, White voter turnout stood at 78.2%, while Black turnout lagged at 66.0%. (NC State Board of Elections)
A Shift in Support
In 2020, 87% of Black men voted for Biden. In 2024, 74% of Black men voted for Harris, with more Black men either staying home or voting Republican than in previous elections. (AP News)
Why Does This Matter?
When fewer Black men vote, our priorities get ignored. Political leaders and policies are shaped without our voices in the room.
Key Insights & Findings
What We're Hearing: Insights from the Frontlines.
Huddle Up's April 2025 listening sessions with working-class Black and Latino men in Georgia and North Carolina offered candid perspectives, revealing core truths that move beyond typical political discourse. These sessions were designed for genuine connection and strategic clarity, not just data collection.
Key insights from these conversations include:
Economic Pressure is Central: Participants consistently highlighted immense economic strain from stagnant wages and rising costs, perceiving the system as hostile. They seek tangible paths to growth and collective solutions.
Disillusioned but Engaged: Many intentionally didn't vote in 2024, tired of superficial political outreach. Yet, they expressed a desire for real power and are open to organizing on their own terms.
Focus on Inner Growth: A significant theme was emotional honesty, with discussions on therapy, grief, and breaking generational patterns. This indicates a deep wisdom and hunger for self-mastery.
Fatherhood as Leadership: Parenting is a powerful motivator; men see fatherhood as a form of resistance and leadership, aiming to build a better legacy for their children.
Vision for the Future: Participants proposed actionable plans for community empowerment, including credit unions, healing spaces, and cooperative businesses, demonstrating a drive for self-determination.
These findings highlight the vital need for a relational approach to civic engagement, fostering trust and belonging to build a strong multiracial working-class coalition.
Our Approach & Unique Value
Beyond Outreach: Our Relational Approach to Building Power.
Huddle Up believes that effective community engagement transcends typical political messaging; it's about building trust, fostering belonging, and empowering communities. The 2024 election highlighted this need, demonstrating that a multiracial democratic coalition requires genuine trust and sustained relationships, not just turnout operations.
Our "listening as strategy" methodology creates safe spaces for authentic dialogue, allowing participants to share their truths and insights, moving beyond transactional interactions. As founder and facilitator, my decades of experience in organizing and a background as a working-class Black and Latino immigrant ensure this project is grounded in lived experience and a commitment to community-driven solutions. This approach builds the mutual respect necessary to achieve lasting power and belonging.
Sign Up
f.a.qs:
How do I know if I qualify?
We are specifically looking for Black men, including Black men who identify as Latino, ages 30-50, working class, in key areas of GA and NC. We will verify your ZIP code and phone number before participation.
How long will this take?
The discussion will last 60 minutes. We respect your time and want to make sure everyone gets a chance to share their perspective.
Do I have to keep my video on?
Yes. We want this to feel like a real conversation, and seeing each other fosters connection and engagement.
Will I really get paid?
Yes! If selected and you actively participate for the full session, you will receive a $75 cash card as a thank-you for your time.
Is this conversation private?
Yes. This is a confidential discussion, and your responses will not be shared publicly.
How do you verify participants?
✔️ You will receive an email with the next steps.
✔️ If needed, we may ask for a social media handle or photo ID (optional but encouraged).
How will I know if I’m selected?
After you sign up, we will review applications and reach out to those selected with next steps, including details on how to join the video conversation.
Want to know about the founder and facilitator of Huddle Up? Check him out here.
Who is organizing this?
This initiative is a personal effort—funded from my own savings and earnings—driven by a deep commitment to listening, learning, and amplifying the voices of Black and Latino men in key communities. Our goal is to understand their perspectives on leadership, voting, and the issues that shape their lives.
While this effort is independent and nonpartisan, it is supported by movement-aligned organizations, leaders, and individuals who believe that winning in the long run means bringing more working-class Black and Latino men back into the coalition.
The insights gathered will build intentional community and help inform strategies that better connect with and mobilize our communities.
About
My name is Emmanuel Caicedo. I’m an experienced organizer and consultant with a deep background in political strategy, movement building, and voter engagement. My work has always been about making sure that working class Black and Latino communities—like the ones I come from—have a real voice in shaping the future.
Born in Colombia, raised in working-class Brooklyn, and now somehow building a life with my beautiful family in DC—fully American, embracing every part of me. Just trying to do my part.
If you have any questions about the project, feel free to reach out.
What to support this work? Donate here.