John,

Over the last two decades, racial inequality has cost the American economy $16 trillion. It’ll cost another $1 trillion in the next 10 years. We need to address this immediately, and it’ll take us working together to build an ownership society.

I am working to address racial inequality by elevating Black excellence and creating a society where all can thrive. We're taking control of our destiny and stopping people from saying no to us.

I know what it feels like to be told you can’t do something — it’s happened all my life. But Black excellence means that we don't have to compromise who we are in every space that we're in. Black excellence means being excellent everywhere you are.

We don’t have to live in boundaries, we don’t have to fit into predetermined boxes. It means that we can excel in academics, politics, entrepreneurship, athletics, community advocacy — anything we put our minds to.

We can be elected officials, and work in public service to serve the people. When I ran for office, I ran on fighting for solutions for the issues affecting Black Marylanders. As the first Black Governor of Maryland, I take this responsibility seriously.

From where we live, where we work, what type of healthcare we receive, to what type of positions people think we can hold, I am keeping good on my promise to lift up Black families in Maryland. We have a unique opportunity to be bold about the systemic and generational challenges that have held families back for decades.

I am working to support Black business owners in our state, and supporting students to learn about service by joining our service year program — the first of its kind. I am focusing on increasing homeownership and economic opportunities. Black excellence means we all have a fair shot at accomplishing all of our dreams, and I’m working to ensure we all have that opportunity.

There is so much more work to do, and I’m looking forward to the fight ahead to bring real solutions for all of us.

Elevate,

Wes