Black Economic Alliance

Today is #NationalBlackVoterDay, a day to recognize the importance of our vote and rally our community to make their voices heard in the upcoming election. This year’s election will see Black Americans play a decisive role in shaping the future of key issues, from driving down costs to expanding access to affordable housing to investing in and growing our small businesses. This #NationalBlackVoterDay is also a reminder of the power of collective action—driving change, fostering civic engagement, and boosting voter registration and turnout in our communities. Every vote is a step toward ensuring we elect candidates that truly represent the diverse needs of our nation. Make sure you're registered to vote and have a plan in place. If you're all set, challenge yourself to connect with others in your community to ensure they’re ready for this year's election.

Last week, the Black Economic Alliance Foundation convened #TheForum, a leadership discussion held during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. with Black mayors from across the country and philanthropies. Co-hosted by Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb and Montgomery Mayor and President of the African American Mayors Association Steven L. Reed, The Forum explored cross-sector partnerships to expand Black economic opportunity at the local level. Thank you to our philanthropic partners around the table, Garnesha Ezediaro, Greenwood Initiative Lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies; Kerone Peat Vatel, Head of Community Impact & Investment, Capital One; Salah Goss, Senior Vice President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth; Jeanne Wardford, Program Officer, Family Economic Security, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and James Crowder, Senior Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation. The evening reflected BEA’s approach to building consensus toward action and driving solutions to advance Black work, wages, and wealth. We are proud to help build bridges between the private sector, philanthropy, and our Black elected leaders to explore actionable partnerships for sustainable Black economic opportunity. It will take all of us to advance our collective mission of furthering Black prosperity, and in doing so, improving the entire American economy. The roadmap for meaningful action to advance Black economic opportunity and prosperity can be found in the Architecture for Action and Policy Agenda to Advance Black Work, Wages, and Wealth. Together, these solutions target barriers to economic opportunity and outline essential steps for policymakers and social and private sector leaders to drive high-impact and sustainable outcomes for Black prosperity. #BEAFoundation

The BEA PAC is proud to endorse Lisa Blunt Rochester for the U.S. Senate. As Delaware’s at-large representative, she has worked to lower healthcare costs for seniors, bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., improve infrastructure, and expand internet access in rural areas. A strong advocate on economic and future of work issues, she champions policies that promote entrepreneurship and close the opportunity gap. Let's elect a leader who will prioritize economic opportunity for all Americans. To learn more about our endorsement, visit https://lnkd.in/eh8U-FFj

The BEA PAC is proud to endorse Colin Allred for the U.S. Senate. As the U.S. Representative for Texas’ 32nd district, he has focused on expanding economic opportunities for working families, advocating for affordable healthcare, and supporting veterans. Colin is also a champion for strengthening public education and ensuring the ladders of opportunity exist for future generations – a crucial part of advancing Black wealth, work, and wages. There’s no better person to represent Texas, and that’s why we’re proud to support his campaign. To learn more about our endorsement, visit https://lnkd.in/eh8U-FFj

The BEA PAC is proud to endorse Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate. Since she was elected as Prince George’s County Executive in 2018, Alsobrooks has been a champion for job creation and expanding economic opportunities, investing in education with the construction of ten new schools, enhancing access to health care, mental health services, and addiction treatment, and prioritizing youth outreach and public safety. We look forward to working alongside her to foster a more inclusive economy and advance work, wages, and wealth for Black Americans! To learn more about our endorsement, visit https://lnkd.in/eh8U-FFj 

Yesterday, the Black Economic Alliance hosted “A 2024 Work, Wages, Wealth Agenda” event in Chicago. The panel featured Maryland Gov. Wes Moore TIAA President and CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, Filmmaker and Founder of ARRAY Ava DuVernay, and Ariel Investments Founder and Co-CEO John W. Rogers, Jr. with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Associate Editor of the Washington Post Jonathan Capehart moderating. The panel discussed pathways to advancing Black work, wages, and wealth at this inflection point in reaching our north star of true economic opportunity across the Black community. BEA is sprinting full-speed ahead in our lane: ensuring that Black economic prosperity is a top priority for decision-makers from Washington to Wall Street and everywhere in between. And as Ava DuVernay said, “When you’re in your lane there is no traffic.” To learn more about BEA, our events, and our policy agenda, visit https://lnkd.in/emrJgX3

We are looking forward to The Business and Democracy Initiative’s discussion with 71st Governor of Massachusetts, Senior Advisor, Vistria Group, Professor of Practice, Harvard Kennedy School, and BEA Board Member @Deval Patrick, CNN Political Commentator, Former Member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives, and BEA Advisory Board Member @Bakari Sellers, and Arizona Secretary of State @Adrian Fontes, and moderated by Black Economic Alliance Foundation Executive Vice President @Alaina Beverly. The program will share a business perspective on the state of American democracy, the political risks in our upcoming election, and how business leaders can take action to defend our democracy. To register for the event, visit: https://lnkd.in/dRk479_C

Today, the Black Economic Alliance PAC released a statement applauding Vice President Kamala Harris’ economic agenda. Read our full statement here.

We are thrilled to celebrate today’s historic milestone in expanding Black wealth and economic prosperity with Bloomberg Philanthropies' transformative $600 million investment in HBCU medical colleges. This monumental contribution will more than double the endowment of three of the four esteemed institutions, Howard University, Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, as well as provide essential seed money for the establishment of Xavier University of Louisiana’s Ochsner College of Medicine, a new medical school being developed in New Orleans.   Today’s investment does not stand alone; it builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies' ongoing commitment to close the racial wealth gap. With financial barriers reduced, Black medical school graduates enter their professions focused on their careers and communities, and not the overbearing stress of debt. This freedom is not just about financial relief—it is about the recognition of the important role of HBCUs in shaping healthcare professionals who understand and can help mitigate the disparities in care that disproportionately affect us.    Today, and every day, BEA Foundation is proud to partner with Bloomberg Philanthropies. With their support, we have been able to expand the impact of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship with Spelman and Morehouse Colleges. Through investments like this, we can further the work to dismantle the systemic inequalities that hinder Black Americans from creating generational health and wealth.

Today, the Black Economic Alliance PAC endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. See our full statement here.