The 2020 Census will provide over $850 Billion in funding for cities and communities across the country. That allocation of dollars would support efforts for community block grants, public education, healthcare, housing, and so many social safetynets for vulnerable Americans. In addition, the results of the 2020 Census will determine state representation in your state and in congress. With partisan gerrymandering now constitutional, electoral district lines will increasingly be drawn based on the racial makeup of the communities being divided, likely increasing a republican or conservative leaning district and ultimately state.
By not participating in the 2020 Census, black communities will suffer astronomically. Much needed dollars for education, healthcare, housing, community development will be lost! Additionally, representation at the state and local levels would be in jeopardy as well. Unfortunately, the education behind the census reporting has been weak and devalued, leaving major swaths of the black community ill-informed about the impact of failing to respond to the constitutionally mandated census reporting.
With preparation for such a critical national operation, our focus must be on ensuring that the African-American community is completely engaged and informed about the power of their participation. They cannot allow themselves to be left out of the $850 Billion lottery.
My guest tonight to help discuss the power of the value of the census and the Black community and the need for its total participation is National Urban League Senior Advisor for the 2020 Census, Jeri Green.
