Dear Readers,

 

Throughout American history, Black women have been a power house - advocating for change and

putting their lives on the line for freedom. The resilience and tenacity displayed by our foremothers

has given us the strength to fight against the consistent attacks on our rights and freedoms. This past

year has demonstrated the increasing need for political participation at the ballot box and beyond.

Our rights are being threatened, and we must continue to stand at the forefront of the battle lines,

holding elected officials accountable, protecting our rights, impacting policy and empowering others

to do the same. 

 

Black women continue to be a political force - organizing communities, spreading awareness, and holding positions in the highest offices. We are not merely participants in the political system; we are change agents continuously working to make a transformative impact in the pursuit of a world that is more equitable, representative and just.

 

It is important that we celebrate the work of Black women all around the country who have dedicated their lives to protecting the rights and freedoms of others. We raise their voices today by  releasing our 11th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Report,  entitled “Owning Our Power in 2024: Now is the Time to Participate, Protect, Preserve and Promote!” This report highlights the urgency of activating our power by discussing the issues and policy priorities that impact Black women, our families and communities. The report’s contributors represent various fields - civil rights organizations, the C-Suite, academia, healthcare, grassroot community organizations, and beyond. They include some of the most powerful Black women leaders and experts in their fields, with lived experiences that lend themselves to an understanding of challenges faced by Black women across the country, as well as solutions to those problems. 

 

This report could not be more timely. Equality and protections for Black women must be centered in the decision-making process. The sections of the report serve as a call to action for us to participate in the political system by leading, organizing and voting; protecting our rights, freedoms, and democracy; preserving Black history, media, culture and the right to live; and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, equality, justice, and opportunity. The report provides policy solutions and analyses that represent the needs of marginalized and disenfranchised populations. It is also a diary of the country - one that speaks to our values and truths which we must not be afraid to speak aloud.

 

As we face the upcoming 2024 general election, we must continue to organize across the country to ensure communities are educated on the issues and empowered to exercise their right to vote. We are currently facing more than a choice between political parties or ideologies; we are confronting the protection of the moral integrity of the nation. Black women are rooted in that conversation, as our freedoms are being limited and our futures  - economic, health, education, physical well-being and personal autonomy - are being threatened. If recent shifts in power and current political debates tell us anything, it is that Black people - women in particular - must continue to exercise our political power by organizing, leading, and advocating for change, as we have and continue to be heavyweight in the balance of power. The nation depends on it. 

 

As you read this report, know that we are at a crossroads in this country. The decisions we make and legal precedents set in the most recent and current years will impact the future generations. It is time to commit to policies rooted in fairness and equity for all; time to follow the lead of Black women across the country who are owning their power and working collectively to safeguard democracy. 

 

In Solidarity,

 

 

 

 

 

Melanie L. Campbell

President & CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

National Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable