Black Leaders Making Black History

In honor of Black History Month, The Committed Collective would like to highlight and shine a spotlight on new Black leaders running for office across the country. These impressive men and women are the leaders of the next generation and are an inspiration for those who come after them. As these leaders enter hotly contested races for mayorships, council seats, senate seats and seats as representatives, they seek to bring representation to their communities who have for long been underrepresented. These young people are the foundation of change in this country and will bring new founded representation and voices for often marginalized communities. 

Cheri Beasley: Candidate for U.S. Senate In North Carolina
A native of Chicago, IL, Cheri Beasley earned a Bachelor of Arts from Douglass College at Rutgers University in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1991, before earning her Master of Law from Duke University School of Law in 2018. Beasley spent her first years following law school as an assistant public defender in Cumberland County, North Carolina and was first appointed to the state bench as a district court judge in a 2002 election, being reelected in 2006 and eventually elevated to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2008. Beasley was appointed by Gov. Beverly Perdue to the state’s supreme court in 2012 and appointed as the court’s chief justice by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2019, making history as the first Black women to serve as the Chief Justice of the court. Cheri hopes to be elected to the U.S Senate in the 2022 midterms and would be the first Black Senator from the State. 

 

Find more information on Cheri Beasley on her website.

Gary Chambers: Candidate for U.S. Senate in Louisiana 
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Chambers is an ordained minister and a community organizer, most notably known for leading protests following the deaths of Alton Sterling and George Floyd. Known as an outspoken civil rights advocate in and around Louisiana, serving as a spokesperson for the Sterling family following the death of Alton Sterling and a constant presence at school boards in Baton Rouge, advocating for the removal of confederate symbols and titles in schools around the city. Despite running unsuccessfully for both a state Representative and Senate seat, Chambers seeks election the U.S Senate in 2022 midterms. 

 

Find more information on Gary Chambers here.

Rex Richardson: Candidate for Mayor of Long Beach, California
A graduate of California State at Dominguez Hills, Rex Richardson served as student body president. Following graduation, he became a community organizer for the city of Long Beach, and at age 25 became chief of staff for council member Stephen Neal. In 2014, Rex won a city council race with 73% of the vote, becoming the youngest member to ever serve on the city council of Long Beach. He was re-elected to city council in 2018 with 79.8% of the vote, and has twice been voted as Vice Mayor of the city since.

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Find more information on Rex Richardson.

Zayban Mohamed: Candidate for Minnesota State Senate
The daughter of a Somalian immigrant, Mohamed was raised on the south side of Minneapolis and later attended the University of Minnesota from 2015 to 2019. Following graduation, Zayban became a community advocacy manager for the American-Islamic Relations group of Minneapolis. Known for being a vocal advocate and avid lobbyist for progressive legislation in Minnesota. Zayban Mohamed seeks to become the youngest women elected to Minnesota Senate and the first Black women to serve in the state’s Senate

Find more information on Zayban Mohamed here.

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Black History and Black Threats

The month of February, annually recognized as Black History Month, is always widely celebrated by the Black-American community. Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of Black-Americans in the United States historically and presently. In most recent years, Black History Month has become more mainstream with major brands and corporations celebrating Black History Month and centering their advertising efforts around Black culture and recognition. 

But, this new mainstream attention of Black History Month has also come with its own set of issue. This year, Black History Month started with several bomb threats targeting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU's) across the country. 20 HBCUs in five states and DC received bomb threats since the beginning of the month. These acts of terrorism opened a nationwide conversation on where the United States currently stands in the fight for equality and ending racism. A nation with a long history rooted in segregation and prejudice, these widely spread bomb threats strategically planned during Black History month, once again prove that as a country and community of people have a long way to go to end this nation wide divide. 

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Collective Contributions

The Committed Collective is devoted to making major change in all U.S. communities. Each month we will be highlighting our work with one an organization to donate, promote, sponsor or collaborate with. 

This month we have made a monetary donation to The Athletic Factory. The Athletic Factory is a non profit organization in Michigan that's mission is surrounded on merging the gap between student athletes and education. They look to create opportunities through athletic participation, training, educational tutoring, and student-athlete college preparation. A very important mission that often times is lost with POC student athletes. 

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Black History Reading is Lit

To celebrate Black History Month, The Committed Collective wants to highlight and encourage everyone to pick up and read a book from a Black author. Black authors have made significant impacts within the history of literature. Check out and share the list of our recommended reading from great Black authors this month and all year-round. 

• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

• Native Son by Richard Wright 

• The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones

• Letter From a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr. 

• Beloved by Toni Morrison

• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

• Black Boy by Richard Wright

• The Heart of a Woman by Dr. Maya Angelou

• The Girl with the Loudening Voice by Abi Daré

• The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae