UNC sophomore and political activist featured in Joe Biden campaign commercial

CLARIFICATION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that "Shop Talk" was a singular advertisement when it is actually a part of a series of commercials. The article has been updated to reflect this change. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for this error. 

With midterm season going strong for most UNC students, many are cracking down on their studies, listening to their favorite album or getting their daily dose of caffeine.

But for Greear Webb, a sophomore majoring in political science and African, African American and Diaspora studies, the opportunity to be a part of a Joe Biden campaign commercial about his experiences and perspective as a Black man is just one of several opportunities that he found himself involved in.

“I'm definitely proud to be a part of that commercial that's now gone to the national stage and excited to be able to lift up the state of North Carolina with that focus on the Black American vote for the presidential election,” Webb said.

The "Shop Talk" commercial series was shot at 360 Barber Shop in Durham and was centered around a socially-distant conversation between seven Black men. 

The men had conversations on various political and societal issues, the importance of voting and their thoughts on Democratic candidates, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 

“Everybody was definitely free to talk, positive or negative, about Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, how we were feeling, it truly was real conversation,” Webb said. “Going into the conversation, I definitely wanted to hit on a few points. The main one being that young people do have ideas, and we're ready and willing to translate those ideas into action — especially young Black people in America.”

Webb said that he was the youngest person in the room. 

Despite that, he said these conversations were powerful as he was able to hear the political and life experiences from older Black men.

“It was empowering to be amongst such strong and influential Black men in North Carolina, and I gained a lot from hearing what they had to say,” Webb said. “Just understanding the way that they talked about wanting to protect their communities and to be leaders in their communities, and how injustice makes that so much harder, inspired me to keep organizing, to keep pressuring those around me in my communities to do what’s right.”

N.C. Rep. Zack Hawkins, D-Durham, was also in the commercial. 

Hawkins said he knows of Webb and his political activism.

“We would’ve been without the views and perspectives of an important demographic if we didn’t have Greear at the table,” Hawkins said. “His passion for wanting to change, not only his future, but the future of people in his age demographic was clear. What was really funny is everybody kept asking Greear, ‘Well, when are you running?’”

Hawkins said the commercial showcased representation of a community that isn’t usually brought up in political dialogue. He said some Black and brown men aren’t too inclined to get involved with politics already, but this ad series might change that.

“What I hope people walk away with is, first, representation,” Hawkins said. “Second, I hope they walk away with a demographic that has been neglected over time, that needs the attention that they deserve. That there are real policy issues and engagement that needs to happen, so that they feel like they’re part of the process. This ad series should show that when addressed, this demographic will get in the game and get off the sidelines.”

Similar to Hawkins, Antoine Marshall, a North Carolina attorney and N.C. House of Representatives candidate, said he has known Webb for several years and said he’s proud of Greear’s generation for getting involved in politics.

“I interact with him in a number of political spaces, and I've always been impressed by his ability to handle himself and speak truth to power," he said.

Marshall also said he wanted to address that this election is important — not just on a national level, but a local one too.

“I wanted to express going in, knowing that this is for a presidential election, let’s look at the down-ballot races,” Marshall said. “Just making sure that people get out and vote up and down the ticket. There’s going to be at least 15 positions on your ballot, you can’t tell me that there’s no one worth showing up for.”

Webb has been involved in many political organizations and news broadcasts, but he said there's power in being able to reach communities across the country.

“To understand just the reach that it has," he said, "and that a young Black voice from Raleigh, North Carolina is being able to be elevated and uplifted across the United States is truly amazing.”

@dakidanthony

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