W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Post

Black women are deeply engaged in the national conversation as we approach the November election. According to a recent poll by HIT Strategies for Higher Heights Leadership Fund, 76% of Black women express the belief in the power of their vote, despite 26% feeling a decrease in influence as the election nears. Concerns over voter suppression are at the forefront, as highlighted by Glynda C. Carr, President and CEO of Higher Heights. Heading into November, the rising cost of living takes center stage for 58% of Black women. Public safety and affordable housing follow closely, tied at 35%, while 27% prioritize reducing racism and discrimination. Additionally, 40% of Black women are inclined to support candidates who advocate for reproductive freedom, according to the poll. Recent statistics have noted that addressing issues like abortion is crucial, as Black women are disproportionately affected by such policies. Despite feeling underrepresented in politics, the poll reveals that 81% of Black women voters believe in the transformative power of Black women elected officials. As we navigate these critical discussions, it's essential to amplify the voices and concerns of Black women in our political discourse and decision-making processes. #BlackWomenVote #ElectionInsights

New Event! Making Women's Votes Count, Insights from women leaders on how to make the most of the election Date: Thursday 21st March online  Time: 10:00 - 11:30  Book via eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/ebz9D2Yg Hear from our great panel: Andrea Simon from End Violence Against Women Coalition Chloe Schendel-Wilson from The Disability Policy Centre Helen Pankhurst Centenary Action Convener Jemima Olchawski from Fawcett Society Rhiannon Evans from Mumsnet Rosie Campbell from Global Institute for Women's Leadership Baroness Shaista Gohir OBE from Muslim Women's Network UK Timi Okuwa from Black Equity Organisation With 2024 looking set to be an election year, it's crucial we ensure women's voices are heard loud and clear during the campaign. Despite comprising over 51% of the electorate, women's unique challenges often don't receive the attention they deserve from policymakers. That's why we're bringing together women's civil society leaders to shed light on the issues affecting women and their families. Let's empower each other to make our voices heard through our votes and hold the next government accountable to our concerns. We'll also delve into research revealing how women's votes could sway the outcome of the upcoming election. As undecided voters who tend to solidify their choices later in the campaign, women wield significant influence over the political landscape. Join us as we unite to make a difference! Together, let's shape political agendas and policies, making it crystal clear: women's votes count. Sign up today and share with women in your networks! 

The America First approach offers HOPE — support for women and children! "It’s important to understand that the HOPE Agenda — transformative as it is — is only one more front in the ongoing fight for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At AFPI, we’re proud to join that fight and to lead the way." Check out the latest piece from AFPI's Brooke Rollins & Heidi Overton! https://lnkd.in/eTgvAP7P

Public services should work for everyone. @FawcettSociety and @BlackEquityOrg are calling for evidence of public harms against women and girls, and particularly Black women and girls, for inclusion in upcoming research. Your story will help these organisations to reimagine and campaign to reform public services. To share your story, complete the submission form via link in bio, or email info@fawcettsociety.org.uk.

#WOMEN #NOW #DEMOCRACY #WOMENSRIGHTS #HUMAN TRAFFICKING #DOMESTIC ABUSE I know that there is no way that women across America from ALL walks of life, regardless of political party affiliation will not stand by and let their "hard earned" rights be taken away from them. There is no doubt in my mind that WE are prepared to stand-up and fight for our rights. If you agree, here is a link to a conference which begins today and ends tomorrow. The title of my session is: How Human Trafficking Prohibits Women from Participating in the Promise of Freedom and Democracy and What Women Can Do About it. There are two days’ worth of pertinent topics happening of which you need the information. The conference fee is $65 or whatever you can afford to pay. Please share the link. 

8 March marks #internationalwomensday , a day dedicated to women’s rights. Women’s rights are human rights and must be promoted, protected and respected as such. In 2024, we are in a better place than before, but there is still a long way to go. Today is a day to stand up for equality, equity, justice and inclusion! KMEWO has been working tirelessly towards these values for 25 years to ensure that Black and Minoritised women, survivors of domestic Abuse and harmful practices have a loud voice in Islington, across London and in every single place where their human rights are found violated. To mark International Women’s Day, we are launching our 2022-2023 Annual Report, showcasing the work we have done over the past year. At a glance: 691 women felt safer and escaped abusive relationships through our specialist VAWG advocacy, advice and support. 77 women improved their mental health through 1:1 culturally sensitive counselling in their mother tongue 94 IT devices distributed to women in refuges to reduce digital isolation. 36 frontline professionals in the voluntary and statutory sectors received Harmful Practices for Professionals training to better understand the complex concept of harmful practices and its intersection with VAWG so that they can improve their responses to the needs of survivors of domestic abuse. https://lnkd.in/dVtJ9sQp #inspireinclusion

Our friends at Higher Heights for America have released results from their poll on the top issues of concern to Black women voters in 2024. The poll gives an overview of the critical issues impacting Black women's everyday lives, including economically thriving, education-rich, healthy, and safe communities - all of which will impact how Black women will use their vote in the upcoming elections. Read the results: https://bit.ly/491YKTw Learn how The Ascend Fund and partners like Higher Heights are advancing gender parity and racial equity in politics: https://bit.ly/3yCCzDy

I think women’s groups, clubs, organizations, sororities, associations, etc. should spend their advocacy energy exclusively focused on women and equity centric policy priorities. This includes the many visits we make, individually and collectively, visiting our legislators on the hill. Exclusively. We should all sound like a broken record… on repeat. Advancing women centered and equity centered policy. What would you suggest as the top three policies women insist on… Exclusively.

Insights from The Highland Project’s Annual Poll: Black Women in America underscore that racism and discrimination are top concerns for 94% of Black women voters this election. This powerful data highlights a critical need for equitable policies that directly address the systemic challenges faced by Black women and their families. The survey reveals that issues like criminal justice reform, protecting voting rights, and lowering the cost of goods are also paramount. These findings align with Level’s mission to bridge the racial wealth gap and advocate for policies that foster equity and inclusion. Racism and discrimination have profound effects on Black women and their families, impacting economic opportunities, health outcomes, and overall quality of life. Addressing these issues requires more than just dialogue—it demands action. By pushing for equitable funding in education, ensuring robust social safety nets, and advocating for Justice Reform, we can create lasting change. At Level, we recognize that addressing systemic challenges requires not just advocacy but action. This is why we launched the 2.0 Policy Track, which focuses on getting Black women into office, as their representation is crucial in mitigating the grievances outlined in The Highland Project’s Annual Poll. By helping two candidates win their races - Attorney General of Massachusetts, Andrea Campbell and Massachusetts State Senator Liz Miranda, we’ve seen firsthand how electing Black women can lead to policy changes that directly address issues like racism, discrimination, and economic inequities. Their leadership is essential in the fight for justice reform, voting rights protection, and bridging the racial wealth gap. 💪🏽 Please register to vote! #BlackWomenVotes #EquitablePolicies #RacialEquity #SystemicChange #JusticeReform #VotingRights #SocialSecurity #EconomicJustice #LevelLeaders #BridgingTheGap #FightDiscrimination #CommunityEmpowerment

Project 2025 spells out second Trump term in alarming detail. That is no stretch | Opinion After reading the Project 2025 document it has the potential to cause harm to minorities, women of childbearing age, undocumented immigrants, and LGBTQ communities.  I can confidently say that if put into effect, it has the potential to cause immense harm to minority communities, women of childbearing age, undocumented immigrants, public education, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, unions, and the LGBTQ community. Project 2025 aims to reduce the size of federal agencies, ban abortion drugs, and overhaul popular programs like the Affordable Care Act — as "alarming." One claimed that if Trump is re-elected and implements Project 2025, it would grant him unprecedented and potentially dangerous powers unlike any occupant of the White House in American history. Document calls for ending civil service protections, expanding presidency The document lays out specific policy proposals and aims to have vetted conservatives in place in the early days of a new administration in order to take sweeping actions during the first 180 days in office. “Everyone should be reading this because this would take things back to the 1950s,” said Maurice Cunningham, a retired professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Sounding the alarm:This version of Christianity distorts faith and destroys democracy Roberts, the leader of the Heritage Foundation, believes that Republicans are in the process of reclaiming the country. On Steve Bannon's podcast earlier this month, Roberts said America is is in the midst of a “second American Revolution” that will be bloodless “if the left allows it to be.” This could also lead to dismantling DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs in the workplace. During Trump's presidency he was able to nominate three hardline conservatives to the Supreme Court, in a move that tilted the court 6-3 to the right — a court that issued a historic ruling early this month giving presidents sweeping immunity protections for actions taken in office. (in addition to reversing Roe v. Wade, and taking power away from institutions and giving it to the Supreme Court.) Trump could gain the power to dismantle federal agencies, remove dissenting individuals who disagree with him, and give him dictator-like powers. “He essentially wouldn’t have to answer to anyone,” Jackson said. It does not support people who look like me or come from similar backgrounds. It also fails to address the progress of minority groups, the underprivileged, women, or LGBTQ individuals, which is clearly problematic. The document would have benefited from having a diversity of writers.