We’ve heard from many of you in the past week in the aftermath of an election that will send ripples through the culture for years, even decades to come. For many of you, the events of last week have sent America into an age of the unthinkable.
People who’ve called or emailed expressed concern not just about the immediate future, but also about their place in this seeming realignment in the years ahead. What does this mean for our children? What does this mean for aging parents? What does this mean for those of us in the “sandwich generation” taking care of children as well as aging parents?
What’s never been clearer, however, is that no cavalry is racing to rescue the Republic, no matter where you may fall on the political spectrum. Citizens, not politicians, will have to save the country. We at Kansas Black Leadership Council (KBLC) believe as Princeton Prof. Eddie Glaude said in the title of his latest book, “We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For.”
Yes, all of us.
KBLC has a vision for the future that includes Black Health, Wealth, and Prosperity statewide. We recognize that while this election’s results may have profound impact on our communities, it also offers the kind of wakeup call necessary to move us from vision to action.
Our Black Legislative Agenda will continue to address critical issues, including affordable housing, Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, and voting rights. We remain committed to a future built on justice, equity, and opportunity for all. We stand with Black Kansans in every part of the state facing challenges to their rights, equity, and dignity every day.
Here’s the truth: leadership doesn’t end at the polls. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. It’s about the actions we take every day. For generations, Black leaders have fought for change, and together, we will keep fighting to build power in our communities and to ensure all voices are heard.
From mobilizing voters to serving on boards and commissions, to fighting for equitable policies that impact our families and businesses, the work continues. KBLC remains a resource, an advocate, and a connector for those ready to lead from every corner of Kansas.
From our packed Black Legislative Day 2024, to our Black Agenda Survey to the five-city Black Leadership Brunch Tour, the Black Votes Matter Challenge, the Black Leadership Tour in Southwest Kansas to the and the Kansas Black Health Initiative, we have heard you. Your voices and concerns shape our mission to advocate for equity and systemic change.
Key Challenges and Opportunities:
- Affordable Housing: Kansas faces a shortage of over 50,000 affordable units for low-income families. Despite a $62M investment in 2023, most funds benefited rural areas, leaving urban communities underserved. Housing disparities must be addressed to ensure equity.
- Medicaid Expansion: Expanding Medicaid could provide health coverage for 152,000 Kansans, particularly those earning less than $11,000 annually. This initiative is widely supported—68% of Kansans, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of business owners, back the expansion as a critical step toward healthcare equity.
- Criminal Justice Reform: With widespread consensus for change, priorities include police accountability, reducing juvenile fines, sentencing reform, and expungement policies. These efforts aim to address disparities that disproportionately affect Black Kansans.
- Medical Marijuana: Advocacy efforts focus on fair licensing, diverse consumption methods, and expungements for prior convictions to repair the harm caused by the War on Drugs. Comprehensive legislation is essential to ensure access and equity.
Mark Your Calendar:
February 17, 2025 – Kansas Black Legislative Day. This event is an opportunity to shape the future, discuss the Black Legislative Agenda, and amplify the voices of Black Kansans.
Join us in advancing policies that uplift and empower Black communities in Kansas. Together, we are building a more equitable future.
Learn more and get involved: https://www.kansasblc.org
Comentários