ANCEBA

“It’s About Us, It’s About We, It’s Not About I and Not About Me”

For many years, the Black and Brown communities have suffered disparities under various administrations in our country. Much of these disparities have emanated from neglect on a mass scale. The effects have caused the following:

• Negative flight of economic development opportunities to suburban cities, has caused unemployment to spiral beyond normal measures. This has created residual issues relating to stable families, stable schools, etc.

•Affordable housing has become scarce due to a lack of livable wages and affordability. Additionally, redlining and other systemic discrimination have continued to play a large part in the lack of home ownership in Black and Brown Communities.

• According to a study by the Brookings Institute, education experiences for minority students have continued to be substantially separate and unequal. Two-thirds of minority students still attend schools that are predominantly minority, most of them located in the central cities and funded well below those in neighboring suburban districts.

• The National Institute of Health recently published information regarding healthcare in the Black and Brown Communities. The study concluded that racial and ethnic minorities may face challenges in having access to medical care in the United States. When they receive it, their care may not be equivalent to that for other groups.Why this is so, however, is a complex issue involving not only possible differences in ability to pay, but the lack of access to adequate insurance programs similar to other communities.

• As displayed around the country in the last few years, social justice is one of the most prevailing issue facing the Black and Brown Communities today. Unethical and often times, illegal conduct on the part of law enforcement has escalated beyond control around the country. These are but a few of the critical issues facing the Black and Brown Communities. To that end, we have assembled a group of remarkable and dedicated Clergy around the country to come together and collectively lend our expertise in solving these issues. Our team is not only committed to this initiative but also in influencing others to work with us. In light of our commitment, we are looking to the Biden/Harris Administration for assistance in meeting the challenges of our communities of Color over the next few years. If we receive this commitment, we are ready to get to work with the blessing of God.