Speaking at a forum at Howard University on the effective use of social media, leading experts on socioeconomics and political communications urged college students and other young voters to transform their Facebook and Twitter contacts into powerful political networks in advance of the 2012 elections.

The non-partisan forum on Wednesday was convened by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Media and Technology Institute, in partnership with Howard’s School of Communications , NAACP, National Action Network, Voto Latino, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Hip Hop Caucus and leading media outlets that target African Americans.
 
“African Americans in particular are over-represented on sites like Twitter,” said political commentator Jamal Simmons of The Raben Group. “Transforming the contacts to good works can make a significant impact if this year is anything like the last election when African Americans played a critical role in getting this president elected,” he added.