In 2021, less than 10% of state legislators were Black, and our Black alumni are often the first or only candidates of color in their seats and chambers. Our commitment to Black lives goes beyond the ballot box.

Dear John,

This Black History Month, we’re renewing our commitment to electing  Black leaders up and down the ballot, and supporting Black organizers doing year-round work at the state level.

If you already know that candidates of color face disproportionate barriers to elected office in terms of fundraising, endorsements, and institutional support, please donate today and help us support more Black candidates and organizers in our 2022 target states. Or, read on to learn more!

First, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate our Black alumni candidates, including North Carolina State Senator Sydney Batch, who proposed expanding Medicaid in the state,  Delegate Lashrecse  Aird, who introduced the bill to prohibit no-knock warrants in Virginia, and Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, who led the fight to have Virginia become the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

These brilliant legislators have enthusiastically fought to uplift the Black community and their states as whole. We are honored that they trusted us as partners on their journey into elected office, and we stand by them as they continue to fight for change in their communities.

Despite historic gains in electing Black leaders at every level of government over the last 5 years, we still have a fight ahead in order to achieve fair  representation. In 2021, less than 10% of state legislators were Black, and our Black alumni are often the first or only candidates of color in their seats and chambers.

Our commitment to Black lives goes beyond the ballot box. It’s no secret that Republicans are targeting Black and brown communities with a record number of anti-voting bills, dismantling access to healthcare, and rewriting history. That’s why last year we launched our State Bridges program, which has allowed us to raise funds directly for community-based organizations, many of which are led by people of color, in states across the country.

In 2022, we will not settle for having Black legislators in less than 10% of state offices, and we will not sit by and watch Republicans attack Black history or voting rights. Our communities deserve better, and your support makes this critical fight possible.

In solidarity,
The Sister District Team
 

Paid for by Sister District Project. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Donations to Sister District Project, a 527 organization, are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.