Who We Are
The Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) is an intergenerational civic engagement network of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. At the forefront of championing just and equitable public policy on behalf of Black women, BWR promotes their health and wellness, economic security, education and global empowerment as key elements for success.
BLACK WOMEN'S ROUNDTABLE
Why We Do It
BWR seeks to bring together women representing diverse views and interests within the Black and community around the theme of women's advancement with a particular focus on motivating Black women to engage in all levels of civil society. Through public policy forums, leadership training, and civic engagement and issue education campaigns, BWR provides women with a voice and the skills training to use the political process to improve the quality of life for themselves and their communities
Our programs include:
Outcomes-based projects to increase the civic engagement, base-building and voter empowerment of Black women:
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Education on the political process, leadership development, and preparation of young Black women interested in running for public office; and
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Engagement of women in policy discussions to ensure significant impact of women voters in the political process.
POWER OF THE SISTER VOTE
VOICING DREAMS & VISIONS
The women and at-risk-youth in the communities we serve would be missing a viable component to encourage, socialize and constructively support each other and support issues that they are plagued with in our present day society. Our programs allow a platform for creative expressions, Q&A in a professional and controlled environment. Our platform provides the access for our participants the opportunity to voice their concerns, dreams and visions.
PLEDGE
We pledge to always promote sisterly love to all that need this type of support and encouragement through our sisterhood. We pledge through our sisterhood to uplift and encourage each other always and never belittle or mistreat a fellow sister.
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We pledge through our sisterhood to always maintain a non judging zone where all women can feel free to express themselves without fear of being prejudged.
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We pledge through our sisterhood to be there for other women just like us to show them that they are not alone. We felt your same pain and shed those same tears and we’ve been hurt and disappointed too.
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We pledge through our sisterhood to be honest and always keep it real in order to prevent other women from making our same mistakes, and to give them other options out of their situation, and give them love and hope in a hopeless situation
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We pledge through our sisterhood to be there for other women and girls like us that need this sisterly love and help. Our sisterhood is dedicated in helping and empowering women by leadership training, civic engagement and educational components within our community.
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Together we can achieve this by empowering one sister at a time!
​NCBCP and BWR Policy Victories
As we begin this new year and continue our work to achieve justice and equity for our community, take a moment to celebrate the laws and federal investments in programs that Congress passed because of the diligent work we did in coalition with our civil rights allies.
Here are some of NCBCP and BWR's policy priorities that have become law from 2021 – 2022:
Year 2021
Affordable high-speed internet service for low-income households: The Affordable Connectivity Program, a long-term $14 billion federal program created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law, helps low-income households pay for internet service and connected internet devices.
Environmental Justice: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law has currently deployed 70% of electric school buses to operate in disadvantaged communities to reduce air pollution in those communities
Hate Crimes Law: TheEmmett Till Anti-Lynching Lawmakers lynching a federal hate crime
Eradicating Violence Against Women: The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act was passed into law to provide programs to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Eliminating lead contamination: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Lawinvested $15 billion to remove and replace lead water service lines across the country
Business and Entrepreneurship: The Minority Business Development Act of 2021 became law making the Minority Business Development Agency permanent. This legislation was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law.
Strengthening Medicare benefits: The Inflation Reduction Act caps the cost of insulin at $35.00 per month for seniors on Medicare
Year 2022
The 2022 Omnibus Spending package provides funding for federal government programs and passed laws which include some of NCBCP and BWR's priorities:
Black Male Initiative: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights received $2 million for the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to investigate potential civil rights violations affecting black males and study the disparities they experience in education, criminal justice, health, employment, fatherhood, mentorship, and violence.
Business and Entrepreneurship: $70 million for the Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA); $320 million for Entrepreneurial Development Programs, including $140 million for Small Business Development Centers; $41 million for Microloan Technical Assistance; and $27 million for Women's Business Centers.
Child Care:$8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which is a 30% increase in funding. This grant gives financial assistance to low-income families to afford child care.
Healthcare-HIV/AIDS: $220 million for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative and $3.3 billion for HIV/AIDS research
Hate Crimes Laws: $15 million to support of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act, to investigate and prosecute unresolved civil rights era "cold case" murders; and $25 million for Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention and Prosecution Grants to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies in their outreach to and education for the public about hate crimes
Just and Reasonable Prison Phone Rates: Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Law was passed, which allows the Federal Communications Commission to regulate and create just and reasonable phone and video call rates for incarcerated individuals to stay in contact with their families, loved ones, and legal counsel.
Nutrition Assistance: Establishes a permanent nationwide Summer electronic benefit transfer (EBT) debit card program, which starts in the summer of 2024
Quality Education for All: Increase funding to HBCUs to $396 million and increased the maximum Pell Grant amount by $500 to $7,395
Workers' Rights: Pregnant Worker Fairness Law was passed, which will protect pregnant women from workplace discrimination
While we still have more work to do, take a moment to acknowledge our successes.