Black Women's Roundtable
The Black Women’s Roundtable Intergenerational Public Policy Network Release’s 6th Annual BWR Report, Black Women in the U.S. & Key States, 2019
8th Annual BWR National Summit Attendees Leave Unified to Leverage Power of Black Women’s Vote in 2020
Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2019) -- On Friday, March 22, following the culmination of its Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) Intergenerational Public Policy Network’s 8th Annual Women of Power National Summit (BWR Summit ’19), the BWR released its 6th Annual BWR Report, “Black Women in the U.S. & Key States, 2019: Centering Black Women & Girls Leadership & Public Policy Agenda in a Polarized Political Era.” The BWR is the women and girls empowerment and power building arm of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP).
The BWR’s 2019 Black Women in the United States report details how Black women harnessed their voting power in the historic 2018 Mid-Term Election Cycle, which resulted in record-breaking political representation, to drive change through the beginning of a high-stakes Presidential race. Despite this historic moment where Black women are asserting their power like never before, including the third Black woman ever to launch a viable Presidential bid, they still face significant challenges related to a wide-ranging of deeply entrenched issues that have seen little movement over the years. This year’s report takes a hard look at this dichotomy, and shares a multifaceted analysis of where Black women stand now with an eye towards the future.
The full release of the report followed the conclusion of BWR Summit ’19, which brought together Black women leaders w/their mentees and allies from across the country for five power packed days of educating and discussing public policy priorities with the 116th Congress, and developing organizing and empowerment strategies to lift up and improve the lives of Black women, their families and communities. BWR Summit ’19 added a new global empowerment segment that included a Global Empowerment Plenary and video chat with Kenyan Women Labor Leaders.
“This year’s BWR Women of Power Summit was one of the most dynamic and galvanizing summit’s yet--bringing together nearly 400 black women and girls from 20 states and the Metro DC area to lift up the leadership and voices of Black women and girls, to discuss the issues that impact their lives and communities most; and to celebrate the unique fabric that makes up our sisterhood,” shares Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO, NCBCP and Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable. “The BWR Summit ’19 provided a unique space for black women and girls, across generations and backgrounds, to share their talents, expertise and passions with each other, focus on the importance of self-care; and to leave the summit inspired and united to work together to win on the issues they care about on a national, state and local level in 2019/2020.”
BWR Summit ‘19 began with a BWR Women’s History Month Press Conference & Hill Day of Action hosted by Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass and attended by several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, in collaboration with BWR national & state-based organization partners. The week featured plenaries, organizing sessions and a national town hall focused on civil rights, women’s rights, workers’ rights, immigration, technology; economic, education, health, reproductive & gender justice, equity and opportunity. Summit speakers and honorees included Joy-Ann Reid, Tamika Mallory, Marcia Dyson, Becky Pringle, Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, Cora Masters Barry, Kristin Clarke, Latosha Brown, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Sarah McKenzie, Patrice Lawrence, Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Makani Themba, Barbara Perkins, Asha Boston, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, and many more. The line-up was also designed to equip attendees with the time to invigorate their health, wealth-building, leadership and life-long learning. The Summit included a girl power track of programming which served as an opportunity to foster the creativity and drive of young leaders 17 and under.
To watch featured plenaries and activities, visit the NCBCP’s Facebook page to find live streamed content from the BWR Summit ’19, with several streamed on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. Pictures from the Summit can be found on the NCBCP’s unitycampaign.org photo gallery, Instagram and Twitter pages.
