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JustLeadershipUSA leader Khalif Ali (Leading with Conviction™ 2020) recently wrote for the Bucks County Beacon:
“As a Black man in this country, I’m well aware of the importance of voting. It’s a responsibility of each eligible citizen/voter in this country. It not only allows for the voiceless to be heard, but it also bolsters the integrity of our democracy while shifting the electorate and subsequently our elected officials in a way that more accurately reflects the demographics of our country. A democracy depends on all of its citizens to be active in political and civic life. Part of that participation is voting. Unfortunately, 33 percent of all eligible Black men in Pennsylvania are not registered to vote.
“Many of us (Black men) – even those who are registered – have chosen to sit out elections. I haven’t, but I have spoken to other Black men who have made that decision. As was reflected in the Washington Post article Democrats worry their most loyal voters won’t turn out for Biden in 2024, we (Black men) don’t often feel connected to the platforms of either party. We don’t often feel like the party that needs us most, the Democratic Party, focuses on us. And unless, or until we feel like the outreach touches the issues and the concerns we have, it’s unlikely that many of us will decide to participate in the upcoming elections.
“As the Director of New Pennsylvania Project (NPP) and New PA Project Education Fund (NPPEF), part of my job is to help underserved and underrepresented people realize the importance of engaging in the practice of democracy, not withdrawing. The power is in the practice. But this mission is not something that is the sole responsibility of NPP and NPPEF. It’s also on the parties and their candidates that expect support. …
“If political parties truly care about the people that they expect to vote for them, in this case Black men, then more funding should go toward reengaging Black men. Democrats can no longer take these votes for granted. While, statistically, Black men typically vote Democrat the problem is that not enough of us are voting or even registered. The New PA Project Education Fund (NPPEF) knows from experience that in order to effectively engage this demographic, it is essential to provide them with a compelling reason to vote, rather than solely relying on their opposition to certain candidates or policies.”
(Photo above of Khalif Ali by Josh Franzos)
In our 10th anniversary year, JustLeadershipUSA’s work of educating, elevating, and empowering justice-impacted leaders continues and is growing even stronger!
This is going to be a very special time to look back on the past decade of JLUSA’s important work, the 1,600+ leaders we have helped get to the next level in their work, and even more importantly, we will look ahead to the next 10 years and beyond!
We can’t do this without you. We need your support to help us continue to do this work now and into the future. By making a donation in honor of JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, you are saying to the amazing leaders in our network who represent the 70+ million Americans who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, “I see you, and I support you!”
Please give a one-time $100 gift or set up a recurring $10 monthly donation to celebrate JLUSA’s 10th anniversary year, and together we will build a fair and just U.S. Thank you!
Mail that includes checks only:
JUSTLEADERSHIPUSA, INC
P.O. Box 23681
New York, NY 10087-3681
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347.454.2195
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JustLeadershipUSA is a non-partisan organization. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the individual author or speaker, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the organization.
Since 2014, JustLeadershipUSA has maintained our commitment to ensuring systems-impacted voices are at the forefront of the movement for criminal legal reform, empowering directly impacted leaders in over 45 states with the tools, resources, and connections to transform their work.
Your donation will provide crucial support for our leadership training programs, empowering future generations of leaders and propelling the work of JLUSA and our alumni as we continue to advocate and push reform on issues that matter the most in our communities.
In just 10 years, JLUSA and our network of leaders have worked to dismantle decades of harm caused by the criminal legal system.