The Apollo Theater and BET Networks have joined forces for a free community town hall forum that will bring together leading activists and thinkers in the Black community for a targeted discussion about the issues that matter most to African-Americans in the upcoming presidential election.

On Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater will open its doors to the community and lend its stage to esteemed panelists such as civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, author Michael Eric Dyson, BET.com's senior national correspondent Jonathan Hicks, the New York Amsterdam News publisher Elinor Tatum, political analyst Keli Goff and James Braxton Peterson, associate professor of English at Lehigh University.

Moderated by BET’s T.J. Holmes, star and host of the network’s new show Don’t Sleep!, the event gives community members the opportunity to get a range of fresh, nuanced African-American commentary on pivotal issues — from Supreme Court nominations and health care to voter suppression tactics and access to education.

The event is part of the Apollo’s new series, Apollo Uptown Hall, and BET Network’s multi-platform "Vote Like Your Life Depends On It" initiative, aimed at tracking every aspect of the elections process and informing the nation about the issues that matter most to the African-American community.

"This year's election is developing into yet another historic presidential race, and we are continuing to make a dedicated effort to mobilize the significant voting bloc of unregistered African-Americans to sign up and get to the polls," said Debra L. Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks. "Now more than ever issues that affect our community and our votes will impact the political outcomes of several states on Election Day. BET will be the source to provide a comprehensive voting information experience on-air and online from an African-American perspective. Our votes are going to make a real difference in this election."

To RSVP for the event, go to apollotheater.org.

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