CBCF Explores Impact of Presidential Election

WASHINGTON, DC – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) will hosted its National Town Hall meeting, “The Black Agenda for the Next Administration: What’s at Stake!”, during the 46th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The Town Hall meeting, was held on Thursday, Sept. 15, as leaders in academia, public policy, and social justice explored the potential implications of the presidential election on the African American community.
“We have made great strides to create opportunities for all Americans under the nation’s first African American president, but racial disparities still exist in unemployment, education and income,” said A. Shuanise Washington, president and chief executive officer of the CBCF. “This year’s town hall will bring together leading experts to discuss solutions that ensure African American interests are represented in a post-Obama presidency.”

“It is imperative that the African American community understand the stakes of any and all elections and that voters be engaged,” said Rep. G. K. Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). “It is the job of every CBC member and elected official to ensure they mobilize their constituent base, so that their voices are heard and concerns addressed.”

In the 2012 presidential election, Blacks in America voted at a higher rate than other minority groups—and at a higher rate than whites, according to a Pew Research Center report. The town hall will emphasize voter mobilization and educational opportunities and the impact that the Black vote has on economic justice and criminal justice reform.

“It is urgent that we come together to discuss how to activate our voice and vote,” said Rep. Lacy Clay, ALC honorary co-chair. “We have too much at stake in this election and cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. We must get out and vote for the sake of our children.”
“This election will be decided by the people,” said Rep. Karen Bass, ALC honorary co-chair. “Our issues are America’s issues, and now more than ever, disparities in education, employment and health care cannot continue to leave our communities behind.”

Some of the nation’s most recognized thought-leaders and decision-makers scheduled to speak during the National Town Hall meeting include Dr. Julianne Malveaux, nationally recognized economist; Marc Morial, president and chief executive officer, the National Urban League; LaTanja Silvester, president, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 21-Louisiana; Brittany N. Packnett, executive director, the St. Louis, Mo. chapter for Teach for America; Jahmal Miller, deputy director, Office of Health Equity, California Department of Public Health; and Dr. Melina Abdullah, professor and chair, the Pan-African studies department at California State University. April Ryan, White House correspondent, for the American Urban Radio Networks will moderate and preside over the National Town Hall session.

“It’s important to come together and discuss the impact of anti-black, structural racism on America’s families,” said Gerry Hudson, secretary-treasurer at SEIU. “We can’t have economic justice without also winning racial justice, and we need to turn out in November to make sure we move forward, not get dragged backward as a nation,” he said.