The annual 13th Roots Picnic has been inevitably cancelled due to COVID-19, so queen of our hearts, Michelle Obama and her organisation When We All Vote has partnered with The Roots to take the event virtual.

The online event is set to take place on June 27 in the US, and will feature a mix of musical performances and appearances by celebrities urging fans to vote. The lineup includes performances by SZA, H.E.R., Kirk Franklin, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch among others, and will feature a number of celebrity appearances/speeches by Michelle Obama herself, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tom Hanks, Kerry Washington and more.

The event will be held to encourage folks to vote this year and has the potential to urge to half a million eligible US voters to register and make a real impact at the polls this year. The goal is to encourage people to come for the exclusive performances of some of our favourites and stick around for educational speeches from more of our favourites to gain a better understanding on the voting system, and why it is so important that US citizens use their voices to affect change.

In a statement via the Roots Picnic Facebook page, event organizers stated “The partnership comes from a shared ethos of wanting to reach the most underrepresented community of people when it comes to voting, black people between the ages of 21-35. Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote and The Roots have a common goal, to educate and inspire communities to use their voices and vote to make a difference,”.

Originally scheduled for August 1 at the Mann Center in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Roots Picnic will now be broadcast exclusively on the Roots' YouTube Channel at 8 PM EST. To join in for music and educational fun you can RSVP here in anticipation for the June 27 event.

Image credit: @sza