We hope that you are having a wonderful start to your Spring! As the flowers bloom, and the days get longer, we invite you to spend a bit of your time with us. There is a lot to celebrate, from the Vice President returning from her historic trip to Africa to the start of Arab American History Month.

Today at 4:15 PM, please join the Vice President on a call where she will reflect on her recent trip. This conversation will be co-moderated by author Jessica Nabongo and director of the NMAAHC Kevin Young.

Thank you all so much for your help and support.

Best,
Brencia Berry
Director of Coalitions and Community Engagement
Democratic National Committee

Vice President Harris Reflects on Historic Trip to the Continent of Africa

Today, Wednesday, April 5 at 4:15 PM, the Vice President will participate in a moderated conversation reflecting on her historic trip to the continent of Africa at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This conversation will be co-moderated by author Jessica Nabongo and director of the NMAAHC Kevin Young.

To view the livestream, please go to WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Last week, Vice President Harris concluded a historic visit to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, where she outlined how opportunity and innovation on the African continent will shape the future of the world and strengthen U.S. partnerships and alliances.

In Ghana, the Vice President delivered a speech to thousands of young Ghanaians about the exciting future of Africa, reflected on the brutal legacy of slavery at Cape Coast Castle, and highlighted the creative spirit of young artists and women entrepreneurs.

In Tanzania, she held a bilateral meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Museum and U.S. Embassy Bombing Memorial, and met with entrepreneurs at the SNDBX Co-Working Space.

In Zambia, Vice President Harris held a bilateral meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema, met with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, and visited the location that records indicate is the former residence of her grandparents. On her final day on the continent, she highlighted the importance of climate-smart agriculture and climate resilience at Panuka Farm, and convened business and philanthropic leaders to discuss digital inclusion.

In Defense of Public Education

Yesterday, AFT President Randi Weingarten delivered a major speech, In Defense of Public Education. In her speech, AFT President Randi Weingarten expanded on four key points to help public education address the needs of all students and overcome learning loss: students learn by doing; the revival and restoration of the teaching profession; addressing shortages; and deeper partnerships with parents and the community. 

There is no upside to school vouchers. They drain money from public schools and most of the schools who receive funds are not required to follow most civil rights laws protecting LGBTQ and students with disabilities. The voucher program Ron DeSantis is pushing would divert $4 Billion from public schools. The state is already 44th in per pupil spending and 48th in teacher salaries. DeSantis is sending taxpayers’ dollars in the wrong direction.

In a time when our public schools and the educators who work in them are under repeated political attack, our students and families need support and solutions, not divisive political rhetoric. We’re all concerned about learning loss and students who are struggling, and we have clear ideas on how to fix it, strengthen it, and help transform children’s lives. Working together, teachers, parents and administrators continue to do the work daily to help kids succeed and overcome the last few years, both in school and beyond. And while opponents are quick to ban books, censor curriculum and demonize teachers and school staff, voters are very clear: they want us to prioritize what kids need, not the culture wars that are designed to create animosity and tear communities apart. 

Below is a toolkit that includes sample social media content, graphics, email language and other resources that culls out the main themes of the speech, as well as examples to help you highlight the ideas the speech proposes. Please help us amplify on social media by following @AFTunion and @rweingarten on Twitter using the hashtag #WhatKidsNeed. And please find the toolkit here: http://Go.AFT.org/SpeechToolkit.

Arab American Heritage Month

In celebration of Arab American Heritage Month, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Ethnic Council Chair James Zogby released the following statement:

“This Arab American Heritage Month, we celebrate the culture, contributions, and achievements of Arab Americans across our country. This vibrant and diverse community, with roots in 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa and numerous cultural and religious traditions, represents the best of who we are. President Biden understands that, and it is why the Biden-Harris administration recognized April as National Arab American Heritage Month for the first time nationally in 2021. On behalf of the Democratic Party, we’re proud to celebrate and support Arab Americans for the tremendous impact they have on our party and country.”