< PreviousBy Renee P. Aldrich Election night 2021 in Pittsburgh will go down in history—it will be the one listed in the history books. The future will read that on that night the voters in this city did something they have never done before; they turned out at the Polls and elected its first African American Mayor. Ed Gainey, the current State Representative for the 26th District, became Pittsburgh’s, 57th Mayor. Upwards of 400 folks were in attendance, at an “election night watch party” of epic proportions to wait for the final ballot to be counted. The crowd was comprised of a blend of races, creeds, colors, ages, and more. It was the perfect mix of individuals that Candidate, Ed Gainey spoke of so many times while on the campaign trail. He often said, “our goal is to make Pittsburgh a city for “all”—And “all” came together on election night 2021, to celebrate a colossal win for “all”. The backdrop of the historic activity was in the splendor of Pittsburgh’s Benedum Theater, located in the Cultural District; this location made sense because it was a night of high drama. Folks had arrived as early as 7 pm to wait for the highly anticipated election results. The scene inside the Benedum was charged with electric expectation and an infectious energy. Everyone there was on one accord. Waiting to see their candidate do what no African American has ever done. The atmo- sphere was festive there was constant music, media was all over, food and libation were plentiful, and people were amped up for the announcement they knew was coming. There was a common thread among all those in attendance; it was the pride that bound everyone together, it was the coming up of a Pittsburgh son; and it was history in the making—and everyone was there for it. Maurita Bryant Retired Assistant Superintendent Allegheny County Police Department, and former Assistant Chief of Police where she served for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for over 15 years, shared her thoughts on the exciting night. I have never attended one of these political events before, even with all my years in law enforcement, but tonight was special, it’s because Ed Gainey is making history tonight and I wanted to witness it. Both the mezzanine and lobby levels were filled with celebrants, there were various rooms of people in pre-celebration mode. The lower level was filled also awaiting that final moment of victory. Included among the attendees were staff members from the State Rep- resentative Office on Sheridan Street in East Liberty. Brother Melvin Hub- bard El, Ed’s Chief of Staff since he took the Office in 2013, spoke of the coming leadership that he believes Gainey will bring to the Mayor’s office. Though I never saw this moment coming two years ago, I feel honored to have had this time with this man—to have gotten to know him so well, and work so closely with, enough to know and to look forward to him bringing the same type of uplifting “go get it” leadership to all of Pittsburgh. Leadership that will allow all citizens to be engaged on a constant basis. I look for a positive shift that will come out of this new administration. It will be one that cares and one that listens; and will be committed to the opportunity to see how services can be delivered more efficiently.” The notables in attendance included County Executive, Rich Fitzger- ald, State Representative Jake Wheatley, who has since been identified as expected to vacate his position of State Representative of the 19th district, which he has held for 18 years. He shared his thoughts on this evening as follows, Just part of the reason this election was so significant, is that little boys and girls can look up and see themselves reflected as the leader of their city, we see the character of this man who took time and shook hands, or took a picture with as many of the attendees of this night—his night—but he still did for others.” Jerome Jackson, Executive Director of Operation Better Block in Homewood, had three words to say about the night; I am excited! excited! excited!” His sentiments were echoed by all, the excitement literally filled the space like champaign bubbles. Ed Gainey the candidate could be seen in and around the crowd, shaking hands, taking photos, interacting with people whose hopes were in full effect. Pittsburgh royalty was on display to share in this historic night as well. Among these were recently retired from KDKA channel 2 TV and KQV radio Lynn Hayes Freeland, This is absolutely historic, and that is actually why I am here tonight. I kind of feel like my dad did on the night that Barack Obama was elected president; I wasn’t ever sure I’d ever see this moment in my hometown, but to see this crowd all celebrating a new era in the City of Pitts- ELECTION 2021 “This victory isn't just my victory, it's a Pittsburgh victory. This City never gave up on me, no matter how tough it got, and I will always believe in Pittsburgh. I know that we can bring this City together.” —Mayor Elect Ed Gainey 18 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2022 PITTSBURGH MAKES HISTORY VOTES FOR IT’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN MAYORburgh truly is amazing. Dr. Sheila Beasley, I am here in full support of a man who has been proven that he is a passion and commitment for Pittsburgh at large, I am blessed to be in friendship with him for over 20 years; and I can say for a fact there isn’t one person, who has truly the heart for the City of Pittsburgh, bringing us where we need to go in the future, in unity and Vitality more than Representa- tive Ed Gainey. I’m delighted to be here celebrating with all these hundreds of people, it is loaded with supporters, what is really nice they are from all walks of life—all ethnicities, different cultures, it is beauti- ful and is what Pittsburgh needs. The hope for a new future for the City was clear among all who were on hand, and patiently spending the evening in pre-celebration of the final word. A fresh wind began blowing through this city, prior to the primaries, when the voters first made their choice on who would be their nominee, that same wind whipped up during the watch night party; after the inauguration in January 2022, Edward C. Gainey will be sworn in as Pittsburgh’s first Black Mayor, that wind will continue to prevail over the City for the next 4 years at least. The election night came to the close, and it all became the reality everyone had been hoping for during the entire campaign. The votes were in and at the end of the night Candidate Gainey won by an overwhelming margin; the 48,430 votes gave him the Mayoral race by a resounding 70 percent. Mrs. Michelle Gainey was first to be introduced at the podium, eloquently thanked all those in at- tendance for their unyielding support to her husband. And the night ended on an equally high note as it started. With the roar of 1000 thunders, the crowd received the Mayor Elect, as he closed out with a speech for the masses. He reminded them that together we would make Pittsburgh the “real” most Livable city but for all, specifically he shared, “This victory isn't just my victory, it's a Pittsburgh victory. This City never gave up on me, no matter how tough it got, and I will always believe in Pittsburgh. I know that we can bring this City together. Our rivers and valleys keep us apart, but that's why we built the bridges to connect us together; now is the time to continue that work, to build not just connections but bonds of com- munity. Together, we can build a city for all - the safest, most affordable, and most diverse city in America, a city that values the working people who built it, maintain it, and keep it running. We can be a city where everyone can belong and contribute, where everyone has a seat at the table, where no one is left behind or pushed out. But we're only now getting to the hard part. We can only do this together, and now more than ever we need to work together to build a brighter future for each other. Now let’s go get it.” WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 19 This victory isn't just my victory, it's a Pittsburgh victory. This City never gave up on me, no matter how tough it got, and I will always believe in Pittsburgh. I know that we can bring this City together.Michelle Gainey Pittsburgh's First African American First Lady 20 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2022Planting the Seed: An Interview with First Lady, Michelle Gainey With a historical win, Mayor Ed Gainey was sworn in as the 61st- and first Black- Mayor of Pittsburgh. As Pittsburgh marches forward under new leadership, the notion of change and taking things ‘one day at a time’ is echoed from both Mayor Gainey and the community alike. The idea of intentional, daily change is one Mayor Gainey affirmed in his inauguration speech, urging residents to remember that “our real power is not necessarily to change the world, it’s to make the world of change in the people that we encoun- ter every single day.” This same idea of planting a seed, being intentional in its development, and watching the results bloom is one shared by his wife, Michelle Gainey. In an interview, First Lady Michelle Gainey discussed her upbringing, and why it’s important to learn, grow with intention, cultivate, and display growth for younger generations to come. Born in Homewood, Michelle Gainey was raised by her mother alongside her younger brother. Her younger years were filled with friends, summer programs and family. Her mother was a single parent who moved from welfare to a job at Equitable Bank, then onto US Air as a Reserva- tionist until her untimely death in 1986 from a tragic car accident. At 15, she moved with her father and his family. She pursued her college educa- tion at Johnson & Wales University, earning an AS in Hotel/Restaurant Management, a BA in Hospitality Management and Master's in Education, Curriculum & Design. She landed a finance job before moving onto Social Services, teaching Hospitality Leisure Training Program at the PGH Urban League. Over the span of 20 years, Michelle has had diverse workforce development and social services experience, working at Urban League for 4 years, Goodwill SWPA for 9 years and the Veteran’s Leadership Program for 4 years. The loss of both female figureheads in her family, her mother and god- mother, would transform her throughout those challenging developmental years. “My mom moved us to improve environment and education opportuni- ties. My godmother stepped in when I moved back to the city and finished high school. I would say that my mom planted the mustard seed, watered and shined the sun on me, while my godmother shined the sun and pruned the leaves” notes Gainey. It was throughout this planting and growing season that her life would be aligned with now Mayor Gainey, having similar acquain- tances, with his mom working for her godfather, Harvey Adams, and him knowing both her brothers. However, they never formally met. When asked, Mayor Gainey reflects on this period by pointing out divine timing. "God has blessed me with the perfect wife. We lived close to each other but never met. We met in our thirties when the time was right. I call that God’s perfect purpose”, says Mayor Gainey. They eventually wed and began a family, with their daughter Alexa, son Darius and daughter Mariah. Gainey’s resilience would be challenged on the road, with long sched- ules, balancing career with campaigning, and finding the balance in it all. When asked about the campaign trail, Gainey identified her accomplish- ments in hindsight. “Being on the other side,” she says, “I can say that I’ve grown, through the work, the stumbles, trials and downright emotional break downs. I’m stronger, a little wiser and still growing. I think what stands out the most is the number of people who prayed, varied faiths, for my husband, myself, and our family. My girlfriends stood strong! My mother-in-law stood stronger, and my favorite cousin stood right there” she recalled. “Our children were beyond what I expected. They walked, attended fundraisers, knocked on doors, stuffed envelopes, filed papers, etc. I saw a large growth in them as well. Their never failed in their schoolwork and their routine was followed as usual”, says Gainey. Her support for her husband, day in and day out, reaped bountiful reward, helping to secure his monumental win. It was through her lens as a mother and spouse that she viewed not only the challenge in the Mayoral race, but also in its significance. Gainey spoke about her desired platform originally being a continuation of her workforce development background. However, she shifted her focus on her pas- sion-Gardening. “My younger son loves to garden” she says. “I notice that it’s exciting for us to see what we’ve planted, pull what we’ve grown, and even enjoy it as a self-care practice” she says. Her passion for gardening is one she hopes to expand into larger programming, understanding how to get younger gen- erations into gardening, environmental considerations in programs across the State, and working with organizations, like the Homegrown Program, in providing not only fresh produce and access for residents, but also a love and passion for environmental safety and care. “Our goal is to help move the city toward being healthier for everyone. Healthier to me leads to safe thriving neighborhoods”, says Gainey. When it comes to reflecting on the significance of the first Black Mayor, she identifies the significance of young people seeing themselves on the road to success, as she has been able to, despite life’s challenges. “What’s most important for me is for young, black and brown people to see themselves in the future of their communities. They can see a black man who has worked diligently over the years that looks like them. It will allow the opportunity to open someone’s mind to see the possibilities and help them understand that you just have to do the work. But they need to see that”, she points out. Asked about her and Mayor Gainey’s goals and next steps, First Lady Gainey points out that “Ed recognizes he’s not the entirety of the City’s need. The goal is to hopefully be the pivot, to bring people towards the middle, and to leave the city in a better position than when he started. But there is no overnight growth, the work must be done to bring people to the table.” Planting a seed, caring for its roots, watching it grow, working hard and being resilient in the process, and taking pride in its results. As a daughter, Michelle Gainey had those principles instilled within her. As a mother, Michelle Gainey appears to understand that formula as the best way to nurture and watch her children grow and thrive. As First lady, her passion for gardening helps her to identify the importance of the process for the residents she serves. With no overnight success, but through plant- ing seeds, intentionally watching, and caring for them, and showing others how important doing that work is in changing the world around us, one day at a time. WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 21 Throughout our history, there have been instances where individuals have utilized the power of the arts to elevate Black stories. The use of performance has created platforms for artists who have then made the courageous decision to turn the lens away from them and towards those who weren’t being seen or heard. These selfless heroes help to magnify the issues, while still excelling themselves and our people forward in their respective avenues. World renowned Josephine Baker was amongst the list of influential African American women who redefined the beauty and vitality of Black and Brown people during the early 1900’s. Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St Louis Missouri on June 3, 1906, the artist known to us as Josephine Baker was an American born dancer and singer. Born into poverty and suffering from fatherlessness in the home, Josephine sacrificed her formal education by the time she was 10 years old to help care for her family. She would join her mother Car- rie alongside drummer Eddie Carson on the road, eventually hitting the streets alone and performing to fend for herself, only to find herself as a street performer, married and divorced twice by age 16. Her last marriage to Willie Baker would grant her the last name ‘Baker’, the name she’d use the rest of her career. Throughout her adolescence, she developed a love of dancing, exclaim- ing her talents with confidence and flamboyancy, which would become her staple demeanor and look for years to come. She began touring with an African American theater troupe at the age of 16 and would later be on tour with several musical groups, performing in early smaller musicals and advancing throughout her career with performances at the famous New York Plantation Club. She set out to dance at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. At that time, this show would showcase her famous Danse Sauvage routine; an unin- hibited, exotic dance. Her ‘Jungle Banana Dance’ where she performed with only a string of bananas around her waist, would set her up to be one of the most talked about theatrical performers of her time, her lavish and over the top looks gaining attention across black and white audienc- es alike. During such an early time of African American expression on larger scale stages nationwide, African rooted dance culture was placed front and center in a way no one could turn away from in her blatantly unapologetic energy shifting performances that redefined beauty and strength for women throughout the ‘Roaring Twenties’. As a dancer, she was popular within Vaudeville shows, eventually moving to New York and becoming an intricate part of the Harlem Renaissance, using her skillset to showcase black talent through the arts in the 20th Century. Her African themes and cultured dance performances set her apart from many. While she rose to fame as a dancer, singer and actress, her ability to hold a captive audience would soon be critical in other unlikely arenas. During WWII, Josephine became a spy for the French Military towards the fight to combat Nazi regime, often gathering intelligence at social events and soirees. She’d use her allure to collect intel and used every- thing from sheet music to her wardrobe to hide information to deliver. She received the Croix de Guerre and the Rosette de Resistance for her critical work. Her return to the States in the 1950’s would lead her into further social justice advocacy as she experienced discrimination and racism while performing both across seas and in her own country. The segregated audiences would eventually lead her to refuse performances for segregated audiences. Working with the NAACP, her influence led to changes in racial policies for social clubs among other reform. Her work extended throughout the Civil Rights Movement, with Dr. King and Coretta Scott King’s full support, honoring her as the only official female speaker for King’s 1963 March on Washington. Her passion for securing a bright future free of racial prejudice and discrimination was also seen in her personal life. She’d go on to adopt a dozen children, 2 daughters and ten sons, affectionately known as the Rainbow Tribe’. These children, all from diverse cultural, religious and racial backgrounds would go on tour with Josephine as she discussed the importance of acknowledging and appreciating differences, with them serving as the blueprint for this example of solidarity. It was through this image that she pushed for diversity and inclusion. Her longstanding career continued on, and was celebrated in April of 1975 with a sold out show. Unfortunately, this was short lived as a few days later, she’d be found unresponsive after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1975, at the age of 68. She was further honored in her work in Novem- ber 2021 by being inducted into France’s Panthéon, lending her beauty once more to a French monument as an honored hero, and becoming the first black woman to achieve this recognition to date. Josephine Baker represents the part of Black History that focuses our efforts in using our voices in whatever space of influence we have available to us. She also shows the power of redefining how we define our standards of beauty and power, shifting closer to our African Roots, celebrating our bodies as women, and keeping our power intact even in the most provocative performances. Her ability to showcase her talents, use her platform and nationwide experiences as a woman of color during times of segregation and discrimination and influence communities to serve the needs of African Americans in the 20th Century makes her an icon and leader beyond her talents within the arts. Many celebrities have shown inspiration in not only mimicking her performance looks onstage, but also in how they navigate and leverage their artistry as political figures within their communities. Women like Josephine Baker encourage us to not think of leaders in a dimensional way, with clean cut appearance or cookie cutter lifestyles. Her lesson, demonstrated to us throughout her career, was in showing how women with unapologetic and extraordinary courage can get the world’s atten- tion, use it for our greater good, and live on through their influence for decades to follow. 22 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2022 JOSPEHINE BAKERPhoebe's Finest Ltd. Phoebe started Phoebe’s Finest in 2019 after discovering her love of essential oils. She began using essential oils as an alternative therapy to help manage her pain and discomfort associated with Ehlers Danlos syndrome which is a connec- tive tissue disorder. She used essential oils to help with her mood and extend her creativity. Phoebe believes there is an essential oil for ev-er-yTHING! "I use essential oils along with pure and organic ingredients like sugar, coconut oil, shea, and mango butters to create my products. The end results are products that leave your skin feeling smooth and smelling amazing that lift your spirits and start your day on the right foot." She started sharing her creations with friends and soon decided that she should start selling them. She started with sugar scrubs and a playing dough that she named Mood Do; and has since added rollerballs and body butters. Phoebe, now 13, lives in Ohio with her mom, dad, and older brother. Her future plans include college after high school to study and practice medicine or study business until she is old enough to run for president of the U.S. For more information about Phoebe's Finest™ products, visit her Instagram page @phoebesfinest. The order link is in her bio. WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 23 BECOME A TMAG PATRON TALK MINORITY ACTION GROUP M e Chec s P ble nd M l to The Pttsbur h Contn enc/TMAG | PO Box 143, Monroevlle, PA 15146-0143 Our p rtner The Pttsbur h Contn enc (TPC) s 501(c)3 non-proft nd our contrbuton s tqx deductble 4128234007 | cont ct@t l mnort cton roupor | wwwt l m zneonlnecom VOTER REGISTRATION Address C t Stte Z p Telephone Em l Prnt Nme Yes, I wll contrbute to Tl Mnort Acton Group Donton Level 5102050100300500Other PLEASE HELP WITH YOUR DONATION VOTER TURNOUT VOTER CIVIC EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT TMAG continues the work of education and enabling African American and Latinx communities across Pennsylvania to develop a deeper understanding of our common humanity and growing our civic education and civil rights engagement.WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 25 Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. Black History Month By KayBoatner HOW IT STARTED In 1915, in response to the lack of information on the accom- plishments of Black people available to the public, historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, the group declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Few people studied Black history and it wasn't included in textbooks prior to the creation of Negro History Week. This week was chosen because it includes the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist (someone who wanted to end the practice of enslaving people), and former U.S. president Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln led the United States during the Civil War, which was primarily fought over the enslavement of Black people in the country. Many schools and leaders began recognizing the week after its creation. The week-long event officially became Black History Month in 1976 when U.S. president Gerald Ford extended the recognition to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States every February since. WHAT IT HONORS Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today. Among the notable figures often spotlighted during Black History Month are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equal rights for Blacks during the 1950s and ’60s; Thurgood Mar- shall, the first African-American justice appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1967; Mae Jemison, who became the first female African-American astronaut to travel to space in 1992; and Barack Obama, who was elected the first-ever African-American president of the United States in 2008. BLACK HISTORY MONTH TODAY Since the first Negro History Week in 1926, other countries have joined the United States in celebrating Black people and their contribution to history and culture, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. Today Black History Month continues the discussion of Black people and their contributions through activities such as museum exhibits and film screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African Americans year-round. Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, photo: Pete Souza The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (center left with arms raised) marches along Constitution Avenue with other civil rights protesters carrying placards, from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. (AP Photo)26 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2022 Cheri Beasley, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, speaks with the owners of Zwelis, a Zimbabwean restaurant, in Durham, N.C., on July 7, 2021.Getty Images file By Bridget Bowman Cheri Beasley is well aware of the challenges facing Black women who run for statewide office. “I know what it's like to hear the doubters and those who are skeptical that people of color can't win, because it's not what we're used to or who we envision in positions of power,” she said in an interview with NBC News. The former judge has made two successful runs for statewide judicial po- sitions, and this year she is running for North Carolina’s open Senate seat, joining a cohort of Black women looking to make history. Black women’s representation has steadily increased in Congress and state legislatures, but they have still struggled to win statewide races. No Black woman has ever been elected governor, and there are no Black women serving in the U.S. Senate after Kamala Harris vacated her seat to become vice president. That could change this year. Beasley is one of three Black women — all Democrats — who have es- tablished themselves as early front-runners in statewide primaries, including Stacey Abrams, who is making another bid for Georgia governor, and U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who is challenging Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Five Black women are running for governor, just shy of the 2018 record of six. Between 16 and 20 Black women are currently, or considered poten- tial, Senate candidates, which would break the record of 13 Black women Senate candidates set in 2020, according to the Center for American Wom- en and Politics at Rutgers University. They include Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Danielle Allen of Massachusetts, Deidre DeJear of Iowa, and Mia McLeod of South Carolina. Conservative commentator Kathy Barnette is also vying for the GOP Sen- ate nomination in Pennsylvania. Abrams, Demings and Beasley are among the few already favored to win their primaries. That’s especially rare considering where they’re running, said Kelly Dittmar, the director of research at Rutgers’ Center for American Women and Politics. “When we talk about where Black women have been successful in statewide contests, it has been outside of the South,” she said. EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler noted she didn’t see many exam- ples of Black political officeholders, especially Black women, while growing up in Mississippi. “There was not a Stacey Abrams. There was not a Val Demings,” said Butler, the first Black president of the Democratic-leaning group that supports female candidates who back abortion rights. Persistent racism, sexism and the perception that Black women (who typically run as Democratic candidates) can’t win Republican states have stymied statewide hopefuls in primaries in the past. Beasley, Abrams and Demings have already overcome some traditional obstacles, including difficulties fundraising and winning support from party leaders. Abrams has yet to file a fundraising report since launching her campaign in December, but she raised a whopping $27.6 million in her unsuccessful run for governor in 2018. Demings has raised $13.5 million as of Sept. 30. Beasley announced Tuesday that she raised $2.1 million in the last three months of 2021, bringing her total haul to nearly $4.9 million. All three have tapped into energy among grassroots Democratic donors. Their early success has also been years in the making. “These aren't newcomers,” said Glynda Carr, president and CEO of Higher Heights for America PAC, which supports Black women candidates. She said their candidacies are the culmination of years of efforts to support Black women running for state and local offices so they can eventually run statewide. Abrams served as the Democratic leader in the state House before running for governor in 2018. Demings, Orlando’s first Black female police chief, built a national profile as a House manager during then-President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial. And Beasley was the first Black woman to serve as chief justice of the state Supreme Court, losing her race for a full term as chief justice by just 401 votes in 2020. “This race has been about building upon relationships that we've long ago established across the state,” Beasley said. Noting Beasley’s consistent lead in polling, state Sen. Jeff Jackson dropped out of the Democratic primary last month, backing her as his par- ty’s “presumptive nominee.” Beasley said “having clarity” in the race allows Democrats to focus squarely on the general election. Despite her personal success in clearing the primary field, she said that challenges facing Black women candidates persist. “There really are the financial and political barriers that prevent people from running,” Beasley said, later adding, ”We would have more than zero African American women in the Senate if there were no challenges to running.” Along with fundraising challenges, Democratic leaders don’t always think to recruit Black women, advocates said. “There's a certain lineup order of who can run statewide and a lot of times Black women's names aren't in that lineup,” said Stefanie Brown James, co-founder and executive director of the Collective PAC. Brown James said early support from groups like hers is key to elevating Black women candidates. Abrams, Demings and Beasley still face competitive races in November. Trump carried Florida and North Carolina in 2020, while Joe Biden nar- rowly won Georgia. But there’s hope 2022 could be a historic year, despite the political headwinds that Democrats face. “I wouldn't have taken the position if I wasn't optimistic that we could continue to make a difference,” said Butler of EMILY’s List. “I am optimistic that this is going to be an incredibly important year for Black women,” she added. Midterm Elections 2022 BLACK WOMEN 26 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 20222022 By Rep. Frederica S. Wilson Let’s face it: Black men and boys are one of our nation’s most endangered species and always have been. Each time I look at America’s government pinnacles — the Capitol, the White House, and National Mall monuments — I am reminded of the Black men whose hands built those magnificent structures and the perilous conditions under which they worked: their bodies used as human ladders; their comrades lost and buried below. A nation built by Black men and boys should protect Black men and boys. Last year, in the aftermath of the brutal murder of George Floyd, the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act was signed into law to counter the injustices that Black men and boys have endured from the periods of slavery and Jim Crow to present day. It is the most significant piece of civil rights legislation to become law since the Voting Rights Act. On Nov. 9, 2021, the bipartisan Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys held its inaugural meeting at which the renowned Rev. Al Sharpton and I were elected to serve as Secretary and Chair, respectively. The Commission’s 19 members include members of the Congressional Black Caucus, government officials, education and social justice experts, and others who represent a broad spectrum of political ideologies but are united in their overwhelming commitment to examining the challenges faced by Black men and boys and providing tangible, sustainable solutions. This is no ordinary commission. Its members will not simply study and write reports that then fall on deaf ears. We will travel the United States to meet with Black men and boys right where they are; visit prisoners on death row; and work with churches, fraternal organizations, and national orga- nizations like the NFL, NAACP and National Action Network to engage them in the process. We will investigate potential civil rights violations and conduct methodical studies of the conditions affecting Black men and boys, including, but not limited to, homicide and incarceration rates, poverty, fatherhood, income disparities and school performance. All of this — our efforts to go beyond the traditional duties of a congres- sional commission — will help our nation’s highest-ranking officials gain greater insight into the experiences of Black males. The New York Times reported in 2015 that 1.5 million Black men, who at that time would be between the ages of 25 and 54, had disappeared from daily life because of incarceration or death. The dropout rate among Black males between the ages of 16 and 24 is 8.7 percent, nearly twice the rate for white males. The prevalence of strokes is nearly 80 percent higher than it is for white men, and the stroke mortality rate is nearly 60 percent higher than that of white men’s. For these and many more reasons, the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is stepping up to propose measures and policy recom- mendations that can remedy the underlying causes of disparate conditions. And, while Black men and boys are the Commission’s primary focus, my fellow commissioners and I are confident that our work will ultimately uplift Black families and the Black community because Black children need strong, successful fathers and Black women need committed husbands and partners. Frederica S. Wilson represents Florida’s 24th District The Year of Black Men WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 27Next >