KING JAMES' ROUNDTABLE

NBA superstar LeBron James is teaming with fellow prominent black athletes and entertainers in starting More Than a Vote, an organization aimed at both amplifying and protecting the African-American vote in November and beyond.

“Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us — we feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door,” James told The New York Times in an interview. “How long is up to us. We don’t know. But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”

Following weeks of national protests against racial injustice along with systemic voter suppression, most recently evidenced in Georgia, James and his partners' activism is coming at a crucial time as we approach a historically consequential November election. Partners include athletes Jalen Rose, Trae Young, Draymond Green, Alvin Kamara, Skylar Diggins-Smith, as well as Kevin Hart with more sure to join.

The organization, which is teaming up with voting rights organizations including When We All Vote and Fair Fight, will go beyond simply getting out the vote. James explained he will use his massive social media platform to combat voter suppression efforts and draw attention to efforts made to restrict the vote of racial minorities. “Yes, we want you to go out and vote, but we’re also going to give you the tutorial,” James said, adding, “We’re going to give you the background of how to vote and what they’re trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting.”