Black votes matter.

As witnessed in the outcome of the recent senatorial election of Doug Jones (D-AL) as well as the election of St. Louis' first black district attorney Wesley Bell, when black folks show out at the polls, change can come. The Black Economic Alliance (BEA), a nonpartisan political group of black business leaders and advocates will attest.

On Monday, August 13, BEA endorsed four gubernatorial candidates they believe will best advance economic progress within the community: Stacey Abrams (D-GA), Ben Jealous (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rich Cordray (D-OH). They also announced they'd raised nearly $3.5 million raised so far to propel their campaigns.

Each is in competitive races in their respective states where the black population is near or even above the U.S. national average according to The Washington Post. If elected, the candidates aim to amplify economic pull for black families in their states.

We’re proud to announce that we’re endorsing @staceyabrams for Governor of Georgia. Abrams is committed to championing policies that promote economic progress for Black Americans.
#BlackEconomicAlliance #Georgia #GAGov #TeamAbrams pic.twitter.com/oX3aBMqXcq— Black Economic Alliance (@BlkEconAlliance) August 13, 2018

"The Black Economic Alliance believes an economic agenda that includes African Americans has to be a part of the conversation," BEA Executive Director Akunna Cook said during a Monday conference call with the candidates.

BEA co-founder Dr. Tony Coles emphasized BEA is not just a social justice organization, but an institution "seeking political and policy solutions" on the most vital issues facing black Americans. With 22 percent of black folks living below the poverty line in the U.S. and the median income of black households sitting significantly less than white households, there is "no time to sit on the sidelines," proclaimed Coles.

During the conversation, Abrams and Cordray discussed the importance of strengthening wealth for black families in the traditionally red states of Georgia and Ohio.

"My mission is to strengthen the economic capacity of every family in [Georgia],” the Spelman alumna said.

Ben Jealous, a former NAACP president, highlighted his goals to continue supporting entrepreneurship in Maryland, as it is just a few miles outside of the nation's capital.

To get connected with the work of the Black Economic Alliance and to stay up-to-date with the next wave of candidate endorsements, follow @BlkEconAlliance and visit blackeconomicalliance.org.

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2018 midterms

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