Written by Tanya Terry, with photos courtesy of JaRel Clay, Hip Hop Caucus
National Non-partisan Nonprofit The Hip Hop Caucus brought an event intended to use the power of culture to advance civil and human rights to Comma Bookstore, in Flint.
The event was called Barz and Ballots, referring to the musical bars used in music. It was presented in collaboration with Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP), a grassroots, nonpartisan coalition committed to reducing the influence of big money in Michigan politics.
There, poets, lyricists, musicians advocates and other community members gathered with a mission: generating signatures for the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) proposal. The campaign is intended to place a citizen-initiated proposal on the November 2026 ballot to ban political contributions from regulated utilities and large state contractors and modernize ad spending disclosure rules, requiring anyone giving more than $5,000 to an ad to reveal themselves. 356,958 signatures by the last day in February of 2026 would be needed in all to have the proposal placed on the ballot.
Hip Hop Caucus Environmental Justice Policy Director Dr. Alexa White stated: “It’s a unique moment right now because of the November 2026 elections. So, we have been a part of this MMOP coalition mainly to drive forward what we couldn’t get passed in the House.”
There were two House bills of legislation meant to get money out of politics and stop politicians from being able to be paid off by regulated utilities, as well as government contractors. The legislation did not get passed in lame duck, the period between the election and the inauguration of successors.
“This is our effort to make a citizen-led option for sticking it on the ballot in 2026,” stated White.
Calyssa Zellars, a resident of Detroit, had signed the petition to get the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) proposal at a Detroit event. However, she said she gained new understanding at the Flint event.
Featured Artist Semaj Brown called the event “essential for people to be able to live decent lives.”
“This unbridled money in politics needs to be put in check,” Brown said. “This organization and this happening was essential to get the word out so we can start living our best lives.”
Acclaimed Singer Cherisse Bradley’s theme for her performance was “empowerment.”
“I feel that music is a big part of the culture,” Bradley said. “It can move the culture. It can drive the culture of politics even.”
Eileen Hayes, executive director of Michigan Faith in Action (MFA), said it was very important that Michigan residents gather so that people would understand the critical nature of the ballot initiatives.
“Money out of politics would allow us to have clear transparency on our public utilities,” said Hayes. “We would find out what they’re investing their money in…because when public utilities invest their money, essentially what they’re doing is investing money that we have given them.”
Niyyirah Shariff said she enjoyed hearing speakers at the event naming large corporations that, to her, “just are corrupting so much of our political framework.” Specifically, she expressed concern about the morality of a Michigan-based utility company owning a wood waste incinerator that has been polluting a public housing complex for almost 30 years.
Egypt Otis, owner of Comma Bookstore & Social Hub had been following Hip Hop Caucus for a few years, wanting to work with them, as a person who is social justice rooted. After the bookstore being open five years, Otis plans to close the brick and mortar store at the end of December 2025, while keeping the website available for her customers nationwide at www.commabookstore.com.
“When Hip Hop Caucus reached out to me with this idea of what they’re doing, this ballot initiative, getting money out of politics, and bringing other organizations to advocate for change in our policies, it seemed like something that would align perfectly with Comma,” Otis stated. “It made sense for this to be the last event.”
Jennifer Schlicht, who is the Michigan communications manager for Clean Water Action and a volunteer with Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP), said more volunteers are needed.
“We’re up against the deep pockets,” she added: “…It’s about bringing power back to the people.”
To learn more visit https://hiphopcaucus.org or https://mopupmichigan.org/.
