MAGA Group ‘BLEXIT’ releases hbcu tour

By: Brionna Gillis

Hampton University joins the latest of historically black colleges that “BLEXIT”plans visits in an effort to recruit young black students to their MAGA campaign. 

Blexit,  powered by Turning Point USA, was founded by Candace Ownes and former Tucson, Arizona police officer Brandon Tatum. ‘BLEXIT’, which stands for ‘Black Exit’ from the victimhood mentality, focuses on shifting culture through live events, grassroots, organizing, and educational initiatives. 

The tour  “Educate to Liberate”  is set to visit several prominent HBCUs campuses throughout the month of October. The mission is to bring conservative values to life, by sparking powerful conversations on HBCU campuses and inspiring “critical thinking”. The tour features Blexit figures Stephen Davis, Anthony Watson, Topher, Savannah Craven, Craig Long and the BLEXIT Student Movement Team. Their stated goal is to “challenge the status quo and champion empowerment, personal responsibility, and the American Dream.” 

“I find it sinister and deeply concerning, that following the recent racist and violent threats directed to my university and many other HBCUs in reaction to the death of Charlie Kirk, an event that had nothing to do with Black students or our institutions, these individuals are choosing to target our campuses,” said Mariah Watson, a third year strategic communications major, political science minor.

Colleges that the organization are set to visit are,  Alabama State University on October 3rd, Jackson State University on October 10th, Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University on October 10th, North Carolina University on October 23, Howard University and Hampton University on October 24th, and Bowie State University and Lincoln University on October 31st. Each date seems to coincide with the different schools’  homecoming celebration. 

“Their abrupt focus on HBCUs now, considering they have been active since 2018, is both calculating and unsettling. Especially during a time of black joy and community, “ said Watson. 

This announcement  was met with pushback, as the idea of a group of conservatives, even Black ones, coming to a number of HBCUs during their  homecoming season seems to be a publicity stunt to some.

“I think they’re coming here specifically to incite moments and clips that can be turned into viral moments”, said Phaedra Hyche, a graduating senior, political science major.  

As of right now, it is unclear which speakers will be at which university, nor if the group will follow through with their attendance at Hampton University with the controversy they are facing.