In an effort to reach out to a more diverse demographic, Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders is launching a Feel the Bern tour, traveling to HBCUs throughout the country.
The tour officially kicked off yesterday evening at South Carolina State University and featured a discussion with Dr. Cornel West, who discussed racial justice, criminal justice reform and the cost of higher education.
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According to a press release from Sanders’ campaign, the Vermont senator will also travel to Howard University, Benedict College, Tennessee State University, Alabama State University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Atlanta University Center and Virginia State University. Students will have the opportunity to meet with Sanders and his campaign officials as well as with influential Black leaders in their communities. Exact dates for the tour haven’t been announced.
Sanders has been applauded for his progressive platforms, including a racial justice reform plan and a push for free college tuition.
According to a poll commissioned by the New York Times and CBS News earlier this week, Sanders is narrowing the gap between Hillary Clinton, who brought her own campaign to six HBCUs last year. Last month, the same poll indicated that Sanders trailed the frontrunner by 20 percentage points; and the organizations’ more recent poll, he is only seven behind.