Commitment Statements

We believe democracy thrives when voters are informed, engaged, and active. We are dedicated to mobilizing the Black electorate through education, registration, and the removal of barriers to voting. By holding elected officials accountable and ensuring they understand the needs of the communities they serve, we work to secure fair and equitable representation at all levels of government.

Economic empowerment is key to ensuring that Black communities benefit from the wealth they help create. We are committed to supporting living wages, fair pay, and policies that promote entrepreneurship, financial literacy, home and business ownership, and wealth-building. We will continue to fight against discriminatory practices in lending and employment, ensuring that economic opportunities are accessible and equitable for all. In both action and practice, we will advance the civic and economic power of African Americans, driving prosperity, fairness, and opportunity in our communities.

In both action and practice, we will advance the civic and economic power of African Americans, driving prosperity, fairness, and opportunity in our communities.

Sponsored by the NC Conference of Black Mayors and North Carolina Black Elected Municipal Officials

We believe all citizens desire an environment that is safe, healthy and free of crime. Too often, African Americans find themselves in circumstances where these conditions are not assured. Safe communities must begin by establishing an environment that does not breed crime – where economic opportunity exists and where the community rewards and supports good behavior. Corresponding to this role of the community is the responsibility of the society to create a justice system that is fair and equitable. To that end, we commit ourselves to diversity of the courts at all levels – particularly the election and appointment of African American judges. We commit ourselves to fairness in enforcement, including officer and leadership diversity and elimination of racial profiling practices. We commit ourselves to ending sentencing disparities, including the death penalty. We commit ourselves to the proper response to youth violence and gang initiatives in our schools and our communities. 

Sponsored by the NC Legislative Black Caucus Foundation

We believe every American should have access to health care in time of injury or illness. We believe it is a travesty that millions of Americans are without coverage and proper medical care because of a lack of personal resources. We commit ourselves to the adoption of universal access to health care for all Americans and for improving the quality of care and availability of healthcare professionals in low wealth communities, especially those communities of color. We also commit ourselves to support funding for research of those illnesses that disproportionately affect African Americans and to engage and support appropriate funding for educational programs relating to healthy lifestyles, including diet, exercise and abuse of addictive substances. We also commit ourselves to advocate for environmental justice, to ensure that the quality of water and air in communities of color is not contaminated and that we eliminate inequalities in the location of environmentally hazardous facilities and enterprises.

Sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials