WSSN Stories

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

On Thursday, October 13 President Joe Biden and Congresswoman and mayoral candidate Karen Bass visited the site of the future Metro Purple Line stop at the VA Medical Center in Los Angeles and spoke about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Joining Biden and Bass were Sen. Alex Padilla, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Reps. Maxine Waters, Nanette Barragan Ted Lieu, and Brad Sherman.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest long-term investment in infrastructure in the nation’s history. It provides $550 billion per year through 2026 for updating transportation including improving public safety and climate resilience. Grants can be awarded to projects across a broad swath of infrastructure including maritime, aviation, highways, and railroads.

“A law that’s going to deliver clean air; safer water systems, eliminating lead pipes; electric grid to deliver clean energy; high-speed Internet; electric charging stations all across America; the power to fleet — to take care of the fleets of new electric vehicles,” said President Biden. “It’s the most significant investment America has made in our infrastructure — literally, not figuratively — since the Interstate Highway System built by Dwight D. Eisenhower.”

Section 25019(a) of the law allows recipients of grants to “implement a local or other geographical or economic hiring preference relating to the use of labor for construction of a project funded by the grant, including pre-hire agreements, subject to any applicable State and local laws, policies, and procedures.”

“The local hire provision that we passed and that the President signed into law, allows local transportation agencies like L.A. Metro to prioritize the hiring of local Angelenos for projects that are taking place in their own backyard,” said Bass.

The Purple line extension runs from Koreatown, through Beverly Hills and Century City, to the Westwood VA hospital.

“A trip from Koreatown to the VA campus, which now takes over an hour on a bus — sometimes longer than that — it’s going to shrink to 25 minutes on rail,” said Biden. “Plus, this project is a job creator.  More than 100,000 workers — union workers — more than 100,000 workers— hard at work on the entire Purple Line extension, all three sections.”

Other projects benefiting from the Infrastructure Law include the electrification of Los Angeles’ bus fleet by 2030, upgrading the electrical grid and internet, increasing lanes at the Port of Los Angeles, upgrades to Los Angeles International Airport, replacing lead pipes and expanding water recycling.

More than 350 projects have already been announced across California. Many of the projects in Los Angeles are targeted to be complete by the time the city hosts the 2028 Olympics.

President Biden pointed out that Republicans “who voted against the Infrastructure Bill, called me and the bill “socialist” and then attacked — all Democrats who passed it — “socialist,” “radical spending,” “rushed,” and “irresponsible.” “Well, now they’re quietly and privately sending letters to my administration asking for money.  They’re talking about how important projects are in their districts and for all Americans.  Well, guess what?  I’m going to give them the money because it’s not about them, it’s about the people they represent.”

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

In [Luke 16:23], the rich man begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house, to warn his five brothers, so that they would not end up in the place of torment that he was.” [Luke 16:23]. A place “where worms does not die and where the fire is not quenched.” [Mark 9:48; Matthew 13:41-42]. A place of intense loneliness and sorrow. A place of continual weeping and gnashing of teeth.  [Matthew 8:12; 22:13]. A place of everlasting punishment [Matthew 25:46].

I tell you, the parable of the rich man should make us tremble, but as God said through Isaiah the Prophet, I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your forehead is bronze. [Isaiah 48:4] And because it is so, your portion will be “severe punishment” from everlasting to everlasting, says the Lord. [Matthew 13:49-50; Romans 2:5].

This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace – for eternity. [Matthew 13:49-50]. “I tell you; NOW is the time of God’s favor; NOW is the day of salvation.”  Tomorrow may be too late – [2 Corinthians 6:2; Isaiah 30:15; Luke 12:20; James 4:14]. Do not procrastinate! Because your life just may be demanded from you.” [Luke 12:20].

Listen, none of us know if we will live to see another day. What is your life? A mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” [James 4:14]. Jesus urges you to repent now! As Paul writes in [2 Corinthians 6:2] NOW is the time of God’s favor, NOW is the day of salvation.”

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die?” [Ezekiel 33:11]

Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it [Jeremiah 6:10]. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed. How sad! How unnecessary! In all your getting get an understanding!

The Republican Party has found it hard to convince Black Californians to join them. But for Black Republican candidates running for Congress in California, it’s about running winning campaigns, which means getting voters to accept the Republican Party platform.

What that platform is, however, depends on which Republican you ask.

Republican Joe Collins III is hoping that the second time is a charm. A 13-year Navy veteran, who spent his early years in South Central LA, Collins ran against Maxine Waters for her Congressional seat in 2020. Now he is running against Ted Lui to represent California’s 36th Congressional district after making it onto the November 8 ballot with 14% of the vote — well behind Lui’s 66%.

Collins sees the race as a referendum on both parties. He asserts that the Democratic party, which has controlled much of California for the last few decades, has failed Black constituents. He believes the ideologies of the Republican party are more in line with traditional African American values, but the party needs to reach out.

“We don’t have a lot of people that are Black that are in the Republican Party speaking to the everyday stuff of Black America, it just doesn’t happen,” says Collins

Craig De Luz, a longtime Republican advisor in California, explains that more is needed than just trying to get African Americans to register as Republicans. It is about getting them to see the Republican platform as aligned with their own values. DeLuz, and other Black Republicans are trying to reframe their political positions to correspond with those values.

For DeLuz and Collins how a person votes at the end of the day is what is important.

The idea that neither party has performed well for its members is a distinct part of the pitch that Black Republicans are trying to make. Pastor Brian Hawkins’ website express his views upfront in the motto, “We the People vs the Establishment.”

Hawkins is the Republican on the November ballot in the race to represent California’s 25th Congressional district. He advanced through his primaries with 16.4% of the vote and will face Democrat Raul Ruiz who received 56.4%, according to Ballotpedia.

Hawkins served on the Jacinto city council. He also served time in prison during his youth. According to Hawkins, he chose to turn his ten years in prison into an opportunity to change his life. He created mentorship programs to help other inmates. His unique background echoes many of the issues facing some Black Americans. A lifelong Republican, he joined the party based on the positions it held during the mid-1980’s, “not so much where the party is right now.”

The current Republican party is difficult for Hawkins to explain. He admits that he has occasionally supported Democrats because he votes with the platform and not necessarily the party. In 2016 he voted for Hilary Clinton.

“Even as a pastor, when we did precincts at our church, I never encouraged anyone to vote any particular party. I encourage people to vote with what speaks to their issues,” says Hawkins. “And, you know, both parties can be off from issues that are concerning the everyday person. I voted for Democrats in the last election, and I have never just said, ‘Hey, I’m going red all the way down my ticket.’”

Hawkins admits that there are some in the Republican party that adhere to what he describes as “anger and racism.” He has even encountered voters who were concerned that his long beard would make him look “too Muslim.” Hawkins thinks this is holding his party back and that those who pretend not to see it are “just fooling themselves.”

Hawkins describes discussing Trump as sad because it makes the party about one person. He thinks Trump should not run in 2024 and that there should be more space made for new leadership with different perspectives like himself. He wants to look beyond this to what he thinks the party can be.

“I really kind of have a hard time getting behind him [Trump] because I really want to see this country move forward. We want to see people get uplifted and get access to equal opportunities,” said Hawkins. “You know, things like that, it just irritates me.”

Tamika Hamilton is a mother and wife to Ray Hamilton, a police officer. She spent 14-years active service in the U.S. Airforce and is currently an Air Force Reservist. She is running as a Republican against Ami Bera to represent California’s 6th Congressional District.

Hamilton says her candidacy is more about policy than party. If she is elected, it’s possible she would be the only Republican Black woman in Congress, and the second in history after Mia Love, who served Utah’s 4th district from 2015 to 2019.

Like Hawkins and Collins, Hamilton is trying to defeat an incumbent Democratin what is considered to be a safe Democratic district.

Her strong Christian values are imbedded in her platform and in a 2020 Good Morning America profile she talked about what being a Republican means to her.

“Republicans offer a space for you to uphold the values that this country was founded upon,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton, Hawkins and Collins all describe themselves as favoring platform over party, but they are devotedly Republican. They all see personal connection as a way to bridge the gap between the Black community and the Republican party.

November 8 is election day.

Aarons succeeds Margaret Redd as NAAIA’s executive director.

WASHINGTON, DC—- The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) announces the appointment of Omari Jahi Aarons as its Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. Effective October 1st, Aarons is responsible for the strategic development and execution of the organization’s goals and objectives. Most recently, Aarons was hired by NAAIA as its National Program Director to manage national office functions following the vacancy created by the organization’s former executive director, Margaret Redd’s, departure. Over the last two years, Aarons has worked as an independent management consultant specializing in workplace equity and inclusion.

Prior, Aarons served as Employee Enablement Strategy Leader for Liberty Mutual’s Global Retail Markets U.S. Division. In that role, Aarons led a rewards and recognition team and an employee culture team that targeted specific interactions in the employee experience to accelerate and deepen customer-centric efforts. Aarons also served as an advisor to senior leaders on workplace inclusion strategies as the national co-chair of the African descent employee resource group where he is credited as a key influencer in crafting the company’s conversation on race and race relations.

Aarons also spent 10 years at Macy’s after completing their executive development program in the credit and customer service division and progressing to senior manager and director roles in stores learning and development, leadership development and human resources

By Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

A leaked audio recording of a meeting between Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, Council Members Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera revealed that a number of racially insensitive comments were made.

The revelations have forced the four Latino leaders to make public apologies as calls from the Black community for them to resign their positions increases.

Councilman Mike Bonin’s son was referred to by Martinez as “ese changuito,” which means little monkey, and “su negrito,” which is a derogatory term for a Black person.  Bonin is White and his son is Black.

Bonin is calling for Martinez to be removed as president of the city council and for her and de León to resign.

“We are appalled, angry, and absolutely disgusted that Nury Martinez attacked our son with horrific racist slurs, and talked about her desire to physically harm him,” Bonin wrote in a statement with his partner Sean Arian. “It’s vile, abhorrent, and utterly disgraceful. The City Council needs to remove her as Council President immediately, and she needs to resign from office. Any parent reading her comments will know she is unfit for public office.”

The racially insensitive comments and uncomplimentary remarks about their city council colleagues were made during an October 2021 meeting convened to discuss the redrawing of council district boundaries to reflect the 2020 U.S. Census.

Martinez’s comment about Bonin’s son were directed at his behavior during a Dr. Martin Luther King Day Parade in 2017. She claimed his son nearly caused a float she was on during the parade to tip over and said that someone need to “parent that kid.”

“They’re raising him like a little white kid,” Martinez said. “I was like, ‘this kid needs a beatdown. Let me take him around the corner and then I’ll bring him back.’”

All of the participants in the meeting have issued public apologies.

“In a moment of intense frustration and anger, I let the situation get the best of me and I hold myself accountable for these comments. For that I am sorry,” Martinez stated.

“The context of this conversation was concern over the redistricting process and concern about the potential negative impact it might have on communities of color,” the statement said. “My work speaks for itself. I’ve worked hard to lead this city through its most difficult time.” Martinez also said.

De León who called Bonin the council’s “fourth Black member”, was also caught saying “Mike Bonin won’t (expletive) ever say peep about Latinos. He’ll never say a (expletive) word about us.”

“There were comments made in the context of this meeting that are wholly inappropriate; and I regret appearing to condone and even contribute to certain insensitive comments made about a colleague and his family in private. I’ve reached out to that colleague personally,” de León stated in his apology.

Cedillo said, “While I did not engage in the conversation in question, I was present at times during this meeting last year…. Clearly, I should have intervened.”

Herrera in his statement said, “I didn’t step up to stop them and I will have to bear the burden of that cross moving forward.”

The three current Black city council members, Curren Price, Heather Hutt, and Marquees Harris Dawson, issued a joint statement about the recording that said, “This is a dark day for LA politics for African Americans, the LGBTQ+community, Indigenous people and Angelenos who have put their faith and trust in local government……The actions of our colleagues should not be tolerated and a vapid tongue has no place in City Hall. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever”

Karen Bass who’s been endorsed by Martinez for LA mayor responded to the recording by stating “Let me be clear about what was on those tapes: appalling, anti-Black racism…. All those in the room must be held accountable, and I’ve spent the day speaking with Black and Latino leaders about how to ensure this does not divide our city.”

Bass’ opponent, Rick Caruso’s statement on the racially charged comments said, “Everyone involved in this should be held accountable.” Caruso has been endorsed by Cedillo.

Jasmyne A. Cannick, who has worked as a political spokesperson and is a City Hall veteran tweeted, “I’m watching how long it’s taking all of our allies to disavow their comments and call for their resignation. I told y’all Los Angeles was an anti-Black city.”

The California-Hawaii (CA/HI) State Conference of the NAACP and the Los Angeles Branch of the NAACP are calling for the immediate resignation of Martinez, Cedillo, de León, and Herrera.

“This kind of overt racism has no place in political discourse,” said Rick L. Callender, President of the CA/HI State Conference of the NAACP.

“We will not sit idly by and allow our elected representatives to engage in these kinds of disgusting and racist behaviors,” said Latricia Mitchell, President of the Los Angeles Branch of the NAACP.

Both the NAACP State Conference and the LA Branch are asking for the City of Los Angeles to investigate, how far the racial animus has impacted hiring and other decisions of the City Council.

Story Update:

Nury Martinez, resigned as Los Angeles City Council president

Her resignation is effective immediately. However, she will remain a member of the council. She is up for reelection in 2024.

Martinez represents the city’s 6th district, which includes Hollywood, Panorama City and other parts of the San Fernando Valley.

Martinez said in her statement announcing her resignation as president that, “Going forward, reconciliation will be my priority. I have already reached out to many of my Black colleagues and other Black leaders to express my regret in order for us to heal. I ask for forgiveness from my colleagues and from the residents of this city that I love so much. In the end, it is not my apologies that matter most; it will be the actions I take from this day forward. I hope that you will give me the opportunity to make amends.”

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

You were given plenty of times to repent, but you refuse to! Your behavior is just like Esau’s was. God said, “Esau, I begged you. I’m giving my Son to die for you. I love you. I’ll forgive every sin. I’ll make you, My child. Please, Esau.” And Esau said, “No, over and over again.”

Then one day, God said, “Okay, Esau, I’ve had enough. I’m fed up.” And God, in His mercy, turned that mercy to wrath and God’s long-suffering was turned to indignation and God’s forgiveness was turned to vengeance. Then Esau came and said, “Oh, God, I’m ready to get saved now.” And God said, “It’s too late!” “But, God, said Esau, You are merciful.” “No longer.” “But, God, you are long-suffering.” “I’m fed up.” “But, God, forgive me.” “No.” “Please forgive me.” Tears of remorse flowed down his cheeks and God said, “No, Esau. You said no for the last time. I’m fed up with you.” Stop your crying, you were given plenty of chances to repent but you refused. So ain’t no need of you crying now. It’s too late for repentance. [Hebrews 12:16-17].

Even though Esau begged with bitter tears., it was too late! This verse is a sobering reminder that there are times when it is too late to reverse the damage done by our decisions. Many people, having heard all their lives about the grace and mercy of God, take His grace for granted. They decide on courses and actions which they know are contrary to God’s will, but figure that “God will forgive me anyway” and plunge foolishly into their rebellious way. They assume there will be no lasting damage once they are forgiven. These people exhibit the spirit of Esau — and unfortunately may well discover his end as well. Don’t make that mistake. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise, iniquity will be your ruin. [Ezekiel 18:30].

Like the foolish virgins who were unprepared at the bridegroom’s arrival, sometimes it is too late to cry, “Open to us” [Matthew 25:1-13]. Like the rich man who was sorry once he was in torment, it was too late for him to repent and warn his brethren [Luke 16:19-31]. This kind of regret comes too late.

The message is as relevant today as it was in the first century and as it was in the days of the patriarchs. If you live with little regard for spiritual things, you will regret it — eventually. But that regret will come too late unless you heed the lesson about Esau. Now is the time to be concerned, or you soon may be lifting up your eyes where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, shedding tears too late.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: They despise all my reproof. Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” [Proverbs 1:25,26,28-31].

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media  

Athletes at a northern California high school are the latest group of students to be punished for a racially insensitive prank.

Football players at River Valley High School in Yuba City were seen in a video acting out a “slave auction” involving their Black teammates. In the video, which was posted to Twitter, the African American students are seen stripped to their underwear and paraded into the locker room where their teammates are yelling and jeering at them.

This prank cost the football team its season because the players featured in the video have been barred from participating in games. The football team now doesn’t have enough players to field a team.

African American students make up a small fraction of the student body at River Valley High School, which is predominantly Hispanic. According to school data, there are only 31 African American students at the school out of an enrollment of 1,801. There are 760 Hispanic/Latino students enrolled.

Yuba City Unified School District Superintendent Doreen Osumi said the video reflected poorly on the school district.

“Re-enacting a slave sale as a prank tells us that we have a great deal of work to do with our students so they can distinguish between intent and impact,” said Osumi in a press statement.

“They may have thought this skit was funny, but it is not; it is unacceptable and requires us to look honestly and deeply at issues of systemic racism,” she said.

These kinds of incidents happen regularly. Earlier in the month, Amador High School, also in northern California, had to cancel its football season after school authorities found several players were involved in a Snapchat thread called “Kill the Blacks.”

A similar event happened back in 1997 when a Torrance teacher tried to enact a slave auction. Student Natalie Jackson complained to her mother, who took the issue up with school administrators and the press.

Jackson said she went public with a video because she wanted to inspire change.

“Some say that I am overreacting, but they didn’t have this experience,” Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t want to go back to my U.S. history class, but I am going back. I am going to do my work and everything that I am supposed to do, be strong and face the music. Maybe my action will break some barriers.”

“Mock slave auctions and other racist actions on the sports field have been occurring with an alarming and increased frequency in schools throughout California,” said Rick L. Callender, president of the California/Hawaii NAACP. “The CA/HI NAACP will be pushing the State to collect data statewide so that we can understand the prevalence of how often the activities are occurring in schools throughout California.”

Callender called on California high schools to ensure the safety of Black students and continue educating all students about the importance of Black history.

NATIONWIDE—- The ASCAP Foundation introduces The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship to provide financial assistance for students who are enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and have an interest in pursuing careers in music. Two recipients will be selected for the scholarship, and each will receive $2,500.

The scholarship was announced on Monday, October 10 at a special ASCAP Homecoming SZN: Meet the Graduates event at Clark Atlanta University, hosted by ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Membership team. Students enrolled at various HBCUs attended a panel discussion with music executives, who have graduated from HBCUs, including songwriter and producer Khari “Needlz” Cain; Fox Rothschild Associate John Rose; Atlantic Records Director of A&R Sammye Scott; and Quality Control Music Operations Manager / Investment Portfolio Manager Dazayah E. Walker. During the event, the HBCU alums detailed their journey to success from student to professional and shared their favorite HBCU memories and advice for students to take with them as they pursue their entertainment careers.

ASCAP’s Homecoming SZN series celebrates the impact HBCU alumni have made in the entertainment industry – specifically in music. Next year, scholarship recipients will be invited to attend an event hosted by ASCAP Rhythm & Soul with students from ASCAP Aspire, ASCAP’s paid internship program for HBCU students

“The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship is a natural extension of our efforts to help foster and encourage diversity throughout the music industry,” said The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director, Nicole George-Middleton. “We hope this will be the beginning of an amazing musical future for the selected students.”

The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship is accepting applications until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 10. Entrants must write a 250-500 word essay describing their music career goals and how an ASCAP Foundation scholarship can help support those goals. Applicants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals on a specific set of criteria which will include the relevance of the essay response to the topic provided, a unique and creative writing style, and organization and clarity of goal. The rules and application process can be found at www.ascapfoundation.org/HBCU.

For further information, please email foundation@ascap.com.

(L-R) ASCAP Director, Rhythm & Soul Membership Jason Reddick, Khari “Needlz” Cain,
Dazayah E. Walker, Sammye Scott, John Rose and ASCAP Manager, Rhythm & Soul Membership
Jennifer Wilson Walker at ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” event
at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022. (Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

Sammye Scott answers a question from an HBCU student during ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” panel at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022. (Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

(L-R) Khari “Needlz” Cain, Sammye Scott, John Rose, Esq., Dazayah E. Walker and ASCAP Manager, Rhythm & Soul Membership Jennifer Wilson Walker take a photo together on-stage following ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” panel at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022.
(Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

YUCAIPA, CA—- Crafton Hills College (CHC) Theatre Program presents its fall 2022 production “Open”, written by Melissa Harkness and directed by Paul Jacques.

Judy has her Hollywood life all figured out. She just landed the role of her dreams in a big movie. She has an awesome best friend, Natalie, who always supports her. She has a great husband, Gil, who is a production designer and is about to jump onto a new movie with Marcus, a hotshot Director. She’s even finally figured out how to navigate the ins and outs of her open marriage with Gil, coming up with rules and boundaries that both he and she can live with. However, problems arise when a pregnant set dresser shows up to work on Gil’s new film. As Judy becomes more and more suspicious of her husband, her whole world begins to unravel.

WHEN:

Friday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Finkelstein Performing Arts Center

Crafton Hills College

11711 Sand Canyon Road

Yucaipa, Calif. 92399

TICKETS: 

Tickets are available at craftonhills.edu/tickets and at the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for General Admission.

CAST:

Judy: Sophie Ball

Gil: Sebastian Hernandez

Marcus: Jacob Brantmeyer

Natalie: Bella Sequeira

Please note: This production is for mature audiences only and includes mature language and adult topics.  

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

The NAACP commissioned the leading millennial and minority-owned public opinion research company HIT Strategies to analyze Black voter engagement and explore trends and devise strategies to reach voters on the issues that they care about. They found that Black voters are far from being a monolith – though they have many similarities.

However, critical nuances contribute to creating diverging trends among Black voters, particularly when researchers factor in sex and age.

The 2020 election cycle had historic turnout among people of color. HIT Strategies found that 14% of Black voters, 31% of Latino voters, and 39% of Asian American or Pacific Islander voters were new voters. Joe Biden did worse with all three of these demographics than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, though he did significantly better with White seniors, White men, and White college-educated voters.

The Democratic Party had one of the most diverse tickets ever. Candidates of color like Stacy Abrams and Raphael Warnock are supported by significantly different coalitions from Joe Biden. They may not do as well with White voters, thus it is imperative to increase their support among Black voters to succeed, according to the report.

Gender Gap

The research showed that the “Trump Bump,” where Donald Trump’s support increased among Black men voters, affected down ballot elections as well.  Tom Tillis (R-NC), who beat Cal Cunningham by just 95,000 votes, would have lost if Black men were voting for Cunningham at the same rate as Black women.  Though the Trump bump is not unique among Black men, since polls find men are generally more conservative than women, it was unique because they voted Democratic during Barack Obama’s election. In order for Democrats to succeed, they will need to reach voting Black men at the same rate as former President Obama did.

Pain – Power – Progress

In 2020, among Black voters polled in Georgia, 73% said that they felt extremely powerful and 71% turned out to vote.  HIT Strategies determined there was a direct correlation between perceived political power and voter participation. Astonishingly, in 2022 this perception of power has dropped by almost 30%.  If this leads to an equivalent decline in Black voter participation, in any state, HIT Strategies believe that it is likely that the candidates at the top of the ticket are much less likely to succeed. From these results, the NAACP found that in order to increase political participation, they must make Black voters feel powerful, knowing that if they feel powerful that they will not waste that power.

Understanding that Black voters are not a monolith, the research group conducted a combination of high propensity surveys and low propensity focus groups in different battleground states where Black voters could be the margin of difference for a winning candidate.  The goal of the high propensity surveys was to see how voters’ views changed over time, while the focus groups allowed researchers to dive more into the nuances of people’s views.

They found that, consistent with other groups, Black voters were deeply concerned about the economy, probably driven by anxieties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The voters also expressed that they want solutions for gun violence – encompassing mass shootings and gang violence.

“They do not want a gun violence reaction that lends to further mass incarceration, but they do want to see more sophisticated reforms and more aggressive regulation, that is not just criminalizing those that are perpetrating this violence but preventing the violence from happening in the first place,” Terrance Woodburry, CEO and founder of HIT Strategies said.  “Just like the economy, they are not separating gun violence from racism.”

The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade caused abortion access to surge as an issue, especially among Black voters under 50 years old. “There is no gender gap in support for abortion, it is constant across all young Black voters,” Woodbury said.

The Generational Gap

 HIT Strategies uncovered a potentially threatening generation gap as they conducted their research.

“Young Black voters are extremely cynical, extremely frustrated — not just with Democrats, not just with Republicans, not even just with politics,” Woodbury said. “They are cynical towards institutions that they feel like have failed them.”

“When Black voters were asked if their lives had improved since Joe Biden was elected, 73% said that their lives had not improved, including 21% who said that their lives had gotten worse.  When young Black voters were isolated, 28% said their lives had gotten worse. That’s where the erosion happens, both the erosion in turnout and the erosion of support for these candidates,” said Woodbury.

Though these same voters felt empowered in 2020, many of them don’t think that there has been enough progress.  The critical challenge in future elections is “activating those young people, keeping them engaged in the process and making them feel that their votes are powerful enough to make a difference,” Woodbury concluded.