President Trump headed to Atlanta to launch 'Black Voices for Trump'

ATLANTA — President Donald Trump is headed to metro Atlanta Friday to launch a drive to recruit more African-American voters.

Trump is hoping to boost his numbers by unveiling a new initiative called "Black Voices for Trump." He will discuss the plan at his rally in downtown Atlanta.

His campaign picked Atlanta because of its role as an epicenter of black life and the region's fast-growing population, according to a senior White House official.

Georgia Democratic Party Chair State Sen. Nikema Williams believes any such attempt will fail because of the president's unpopularity within the black community.

"94 percent of Black Georgians voted Democratic, and I see that number only continuing to increase. As for that 6 percent, they're a bit confused, don't understand what Donald Trump and his Republican Party are doing to do to affect the black community," Williams said.

But the executive director of Trump's National Diversity Coalition disagrees.

Bruce Levell believes Trump can make inroads into the black community by pushing economic initiatives and talking about the low unemployment numbers.

"It's just restoring back who we are as Americans and by the way, our African-American culture. We're going to resurrect that generational wealth in small business also," he told Elliot.

In April, Channel 2 Action News had the chance to talk one-on-one with Trump about Georgia's role in the upcoming election. He felt it was solidly in his corner.

"I think it's in play only for us in the upcoming election, to be honest with you. I know David Perdue is going to be running and I'm running, and we're going to do very well," Trump said.

Trump's visit Friday will be his second stop in Georgia this year.

The president will attend a fundraiser for Perdue and luncheon with his supporters before the black voters program launch and rally.

Trump is expected to arrive in Atlanta around noon and is scheduled to speak at the event around 2 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to address the crowd. Traffic will be impacted on several interstates between 11:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Cox Media Group