Campaign Overview

Leading up to our 2024 national election, NEWorks launched FREEDOM ADVANCES*, a non-partisan civic initiative designed to encourage full voter participation. The campaign included celebrity bumpers; a suite of 30- to 60-second public service announcements, the award-winning, call-to-action anthem & music video, "Rise Up & Fight," and Rise Up Song Challenge videos created by local artists nationwide to mobilize voters to make their voices heard at the polls.

Celebrities featured in the campaign included: Masta Ace, Debbie Allen, Regina Belle, Chris Broussard, Andre de Shields, Ricky Dillard, Carla Hall, Hill Harper, Norm Lewis, Clayton Prince, and Regina Taylor.

Watch & share our award-winning anthem, "Rise Up & Fight"

“Rise Up & Fight”

Nolan Williams, Jr's award-winning civic anthem, "Rise Up & Fight," is written from the perspective of three civil rights volunteers murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964 during "Freedom Summer." The song imagines Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael Schwerner returning to Mississippi today--expecting a world of change--only to discover that human rights issues are still plaguing our nation. They issue an urgent call to action!

“Rise Up & Fight” has won thirteen international film fest prizes, six Davey Awards, one Anthem Award, and multiple other film fest honors!

Scroll down for more details.

“I Have A Right To Vote” (Radio Cut)

This anthem features the words of historical voting rights icons spoken by celebrities Billie Jean King, Billy Porter, Christopher Jackson, and Ryan Jamaal Swain (F/X Network's POSE). It also highlights diverse American citizens gathered at iconic places across the country—from New York’s Times Square to Milwaukee’s Art Museum, and from the “Rocky” Steps in Philadelphia to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles—all affirming their right to vote!

This award-winning video was first released in 2020 and has garnered well over two million global hits.

"Rise Up & Fight" earns 13 fest prizes, 12 fest honors, more

Film fest prizes

· Award of Excellence – Music Video, 2024 Best Shorts Competition (International)

· Award of Excellence – Animation, 2024 Best Shorts Competition (International)

· Award of Excellence – African American Theme, 2024 Best Shorts Competition (International)

· Award of Excellence – Music Video, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – Animation, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – Original Song, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – African American Theme, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – Liberation/Social Justice/Protest, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Best Lyrics Video – 2024 International Music Video Competition

· Best Animation Short – 2024 Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival)

· Outstanding Achievement Award (Music Video) – 2024 Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival)

· Best Animation Music Video – 2024 Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards

· Best Animation Music Video – 2024 Europe Music Video Awards

Film fest honors

· Finalist, Best Producer – 2024 Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival)

· Finalist, Best Original Song – 2024 Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival)

· Finalist, Best Audience Impact – 2024 Music Video Awards

· Finalist – Cannes World Film Festival 2024

· Semifinalist – 2024 Paris International Short Festival

· Semifinalist – 2024 Sunday Shorts Film Festival (UK)

· Semifinalist – 2024 Seattle Filmmaker Awards

· Semifinalist – 2024 Robinson Film Awards (International Film Festival)

· Quarterfinalist – 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards

· Honorable Mention – Best Music Video, 2024 Apex Film Awards

· Honorable Mention – Best Animated Short Film, 2024 Apex Film Awards

· Special Mention – 2025 UK Animation & Music Video Festival

Film fest selections

· Official Selection, 2024 New York Film & Actor Awards

· Official Selection, AfroComicCon International Film Festival 2024

· Official Selection, CAFF The Cultural Animation Film Festival 2024

· Official Selection, Animation Marathon 2024

Special acknowledgements...

Benefactor

Anonymous

Supporters

Anonymous
David Frederick and Sophia Lynn

Donors

Rob Vogel
Rev. Jeffrey Haggray and the American Baptist Home Mission Society
Joyce and Thomas Moorehead
Stephen Zenczak and Pat Feighan

Patrons

Anonymous
Millicent Gorham

Advisory Board

Victoria Murray Baatin, Sr. Director of Social Impact, The Kennedy Center
Heather Booth, Civil Rights Activist
Rev. Paul Smith, Civil Rights Icon
Douglass Tanner, Founder & Sr. Advisor, The Faith & Politics Institute

Campaign Overview

#FreedomAdvances #RiseUpAndFight #Vote2024

Watch & share our award-winning anthem, "Rise Up & Fight"

“Rise Up & Fight”

More Freedom Advances Videos

Freedom Advances Celeb PSA

Debbie Allen Dance Academy & Community (long form)

Debbie Allen Dance Academy & Community (short form)

Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing

Rise Up & Fight Celeb PSA 1

Rise Up & Fight PSA 2

“I Have A Right To Vote” (Radio Cut)

'Freedom Advances' Earns Top Honors

Freedom Advances campaign wins seven 2024 Davey Awards

Freedom Advances

"Rise Up & Fight"

"Rise Up & Fight" wins 2025 Anthem Award Silver Prize