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250TH Event: Race Forward to Explore Co-Governance and Democracy in July 1 Webinar

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WASHINGTON – As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, millions are questioning whether democracy can truly deliver on its promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Race Forward will host a July 1 webinar to explore the possibilities for strengthening democracy through co-governance. The conversation will occur as part of the organization’s #RaceAnd series and will be held July 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. PT.

“On this 250th birthday of the USA, co-governance must be a foundational pillar of democracy’s future,” said Candace Moore, Vice President of Place, Policy, and Power for Race Forward. “Co-governance is the practice of communities and government sharing real decision-making power. It has been proven to combat authoritarianism, rebuild civic trust, advance racial equity, and produce better outcomes for everyone.”
This discussion will challenge the notion that democracy is something we receive and instead champion a vision of democracy as something we actively do, build, and govern, together.
WHO: Liz Sullivan-Yuknis, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Partners for Dignity and Rights
Niketa Brar, Civic Strategist and Movement Builder, For the Many Strategies, LLC
Jaime Kinder, Mayor of Meadville, PA
Shari Davis, Co-Executive Director, Center for Economic Democracy
Candace Moore, Vice President of Place, Policy, and Power, Race Forward
WHAT:           Webinar on Co-Governing, Democracy and New Futures
WHEN:          Jul 1, 2026|12 to 1:30pm PT

National Black Justice Collective, United by Equity, Black Music Action Coalition, and Other Civil Rights, LGBTQ+ Equality, Reproductive Health, and Immigrant Rights Orgs Host Equity Week 2026

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For Immediate Release
June 9, 2026

National Black Justice Collective, United by Equity, Black Music Action Coalition, and Other Civil Rights, LGBTQ+ Equality, Reproductive Health, and Immigrant Rights Orgs Host Equity Week 2026

The Series of Events Will Spotlight Reparative Justice, Equity-Driven Legislation, Civic Engagement, Racial Healing, and Black LGBTQ+/SGL Cultural Power.

WASHINGTON—From Thursday, June 11 to Friday, June 12, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), alongside United by Equity, Black Music Action Coalition, and a broad coalition of racial justice, civic engagement, and community partners, will host National Equity Week 2026 — a multi-day convening focused on reparative justice, public policy advocacy, racial healing, and Black LGBTQ+/SGL cultural celebration.

At a time when attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion, voting rights, LGBTQ+/SGL communities, and historically honest education continue escalating nationwide, Equity Week 2026 will bring together advocates, scholars, artists, elected leaders, ballroom houses, students, and community members to build power, deepen civic engagement, and advance conversations around repair, equity, democracy, and liberation.

OUT ON THE HILL

Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
Location: Capitol Visitor’s Center South Congressional Meeting Room (CVC 268)

Participants will meet directly with members of Congress and congressional staff to advocate for legislation impacting Black, LGBTQ+/SGL, and marginalized communities. The day will focus on hands-on civic engagement, advocacy training, and coalition-building around issues including reparative justice, voting rights, healthcare equity, education, and civil rights protections. The event will kick off with a reparations press conference hosted by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) at the House Triangle.

RACIAL HEALING CIRCLE

Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Location: Busboys and Poets, 14th and V

This community-centered listening session and panel discussion, co-hosted with the Sue Aft Memorial and George Mason University, will convene Equity Week leadership and attendees for a conversation focused on racial healing, repair, and the work required to build more just and equitable communities.

THE EQUITY BALL

Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM EST
Location: Howard Theatre

The Equity Ball will close Equity Week with a powerful celebration of ballroom culture, Black queer artistry, and civic engagement. Legendary houses will compete in categories centered on community impact and empowerment, with cash prizes awarded throughout the evening in a vibrant showcase of Black LGBTQ+/SGL excellence, creativity, resilience, and joy.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF EVENTS AND REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE

“Equity is not a trend, slogan, or political talking point; it is a moral and democratic imperative imprinted by our Founders as vital to the success of the American experiment,” said Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective. “Equity Week exists to remind this nation that repair requires action — action from lawmakers, institutions, communities, and each of us. In this moment of escalating attacks on Black history, LGBTQ+/SGL people, education, and democracy itself, gathering together in truth, culture, and collective power is both necessary and transformative.”

“I am grateful to return to this event with the wonderful community doing this work,” said Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, executive director of United by Equity. “As we gather ahead of Juneteenth, we want people to know that the holiday was always intended to be accompanied by reparations. No matter the challenges we face, we will continue the pursuit of healing, repair, and justice for everyone.”

“We are not at an arbitrary crossroads; we are inside of a reckoning,” said Dreisen Heath, Founder of the Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Network. “The attacks on Black history, voting rights, economic mobility, and other civil rights protections are not separate crises — they are predictable consequences of a country that has never settled its debts. Reparative justice can’t wait for the right political and social climate; it is the floor beneath every fight for Black freedom and liberation. Equity Week is where that understanding becomes action.”

If you are interested in learning more about National Equity Week, Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, Organizer, UCLA professor, and executive director of United by Equity, is available to discuss what’s in store and the coalition’s continued calls for elected leaders to take up and pass federal racial equity and reparations legislation.

Angie Nixon Participates in Moral Sit-in in Governor DeSantis’ Office

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For Immediate Release
May 15, 2026
Angie Nixon Participates in Moral Sit-in in Governor DeSantis’ Office
TALLAHASSEE — Amid Angie Nixon’s participation at a sit-in in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, the Florida state representative and U.S. Senate candidate released the following statement:
“I want to be 100% clear: our democracy is under attack. Gov. DeSantis has continued his politically brazen pattern of drawing and pushing rigged maps. His actions are incompatible with the state’s constitution and the will of Floridians.
“My constituents didn’t send me to Tallahassee to sit silently while the Governor and his allies trampled their rights. That’s why I joined advocates in raising a moral witness, and a clear demand to undue this politically motivated action. I’m urging state officials to do what’s right for our state and its people. Instead of reprimanding or censuring me for speaking out for the people of this state, we should focus on the real issues battering everyday Floridians such as housing affordability, child care, healthcare and Medicaid expansion.
“All Floridians — including elected leaders — should speak out on the governor’s misplaced priorities and this flagrant attack on democracy. I sat down because it was the most clear way to stand up to this governor and his overreach. The only way to cure this challenge is for the governor to return maps to previous versions. In the same way that he created new, harmful maps, he could call on this legislature to revert to earlier versions.”
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United Women in Faith to Welcome Trailblazing Speakers, Thousands of Women at Assembly 2026

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INDIANAPOLIS – From May 15 through May 17, United Women in Faith will host their quadrennial Assembly at the Indianapolis Convention Center, bringing together thousands of women to unite for change. Featured speakers will include civil rights activist and member of the Little Rock Nine Mrs. Elizabeth Eckford, and voting rights advocate and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams.
“Assembly is where women of faith come to be inspired, equipped, and energized to lead change in their communities and the world,” saidSally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith. “We are thrilled to welcome Stacey Abrams, Mrs. Elizabeth Eckford, and so many more unstoppable women whose stories embody the heart of our theme.”
“I’ll be on the main stage with my mom, Reverend Carolyn Abrams, and joined by nearly 4,000 women from around the globe to be inspired, to sing, to nurture our souls, and to experience what it truly means to be unstoppable together,” said Abrams.
“With the eradication of the past, we cannot heal the wounds of the past and move on to a better future,” said Mrs. Eckford. “We can’t have true racial reconciliation until we honestly look at our shared painful past.”
If you are a reporter looking to attend, please contact press@spotlightpr.org. Limited media passes are available.
WHO:            United Women in Faith
                         Stacey Abrams
           Mrs. Elizabeth Eckford
WHAT:           Assembly 2026
WHEN:          Friday, May 15, 2026 through Sunday, May 17, 2026
WHERE:        Indiana Convention Center, Halls A, B & C
               100 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46225
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United Women in Faith is the largest denominational organization for women in the United States.

Child Care Advocates Denounce Proposals to Deregulate as “Endangering Children

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WASHINGTON — As families and child care providers advocate for increased investment into a more accessible and affordable system that benefits all, government officials are proposing to slash spending and strip regulations. Alex Adams, assistant secretary for family support for the Administration for Children and Families, recently stated his desire to create a “bonfire” out of child care subsidy regulations. These proposals could loosen or eliminate protections, including health standards, and increase the number of children a child care provider may supervise. The agency Adams leads serves 2.3 million children from low-income homes. Child care advocates today released the following statement:
“It is so disheartening to witness federal officials attempt to deregulate a social service that is not only beneficial to children and families, but to communities and society,” said Jasmine Bowles, executive state director of 9to5 Georgia. “These efforts will weaken safety guards and reduce the quality of care.”
“In the United States, our government does not have a problem giving massive tax breaks to billionaires,” said Lenice Emanuel, executive director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice. “Yet, they force low-income earning people to beg for help and jump through hoops to afford basic needs like child care. They want poor people to prove that they are worthy.”
“The Trump administration once again has picked a fight with the wrong people: parents and child care providers,” said Mary Ignatius, executive director of Parent Voices. “Parent Voices CA will not stand by while recycled racist, sexist, and xenophobic lies are used to disrupt the lives of our children. The child care workforce has historically been made up largely of immigrant and Black women who are paid low wages. Parents who qualify for child care have been on waitlists for more than a decade due to lack of funding, and providers are shutting down because low wages make it impossible to stay open in California. Providers already keep meticulous records, and there is no evidence of significant fraud, including in California, where strict oversight exists. If Trump wants to address waste and fraud, corporate welfare such as the ‘water’s edge’ tax loophole and private equity in child care deserve far more scrutiny. Superheroes choose kids, not billionaires!”

Mayor of Upper Arlington: My Focus is on Working People

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UPPER ARLINGTON, Oh. — In response to a baseless accusation of being a union buster, Upper Arlington’s Mayor Ukeme Awakessien Jeter today released the following statement:
“It is distressing that a media publication would say something that is intellectually dishonest and blatantly false for political gains. As a proud immigrant, I understand how important it is to have agency in life and at work.
“Throughout my time in public service, I have always sought to uplift working people and ensure they have the support they need to thrive. I understand that we are stronger together. The right to organize led to the eight-hour workday, safety and protection on the job and fair wages that allow hardworking people to care for themselves and their families.
“I also understand that my presence as a Black woman is threatening to the status quo. There are few identities more marginalized than that of a Black, immigrant woman. Regardless of these baseless and engineered attacks, I will continue to keep my focus where it should be: on working people.”

Missourians Point to Good Jobs, Belonging as Indicators of Good Health, Missouri Foundation for Health Poll Finds

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For Immediate Release 
March 12, 2026 

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – Missourians overwhelmingly agree that living a healthy life requires more than access to medical care. According to a statewide survey, Speak Up MO, commissioned by Missouri Foundation for Health, residents view good jobs, quality schools and libraries, low levels of crime, and treating people with respect as essential for building healthy communities.

The poll surveyed more than 1,800 Missourians, and conducted focus groups with roughly 70 community members, gauging their views on a range of issues including physical and mental health, civic engagement, the economy, financial well-being, and belonging. The findings offer a look at Missourians’ priorities and concerns about what they need to thrive.

Key findings include:

● Cost of living and the cost of health care continue to be dominant concerns for Missourians.
● 97% of Missourians view high-quality jobs as the primary factor for a healthy community.
● Most Missourians report a feeling of belonging in their community, but some groups, notably Latinos and LGBTQ+ Missourians feel that way at much lower rates.
● More than half of Missourians experienced mental strain last year. Those reporting difficulty accessing mental health care increased from 39% in 2024 to 52% in 2025.
● Just 10% of residents feel they can meaningfully impact or influence community decisions; this cuts across party lines.

“These findings reaffirm what we hear every day. Missourians know what it takes to build thriving communities,” said Sheldon Weisgrau, Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy, Missouri Foundation for Health. “They want meaningful jobs with fair pay and good benefits, strong community connections, and access to affordable care, among other things. When we align our policy priorities around what Missourians say they value, we move closer to a Missouri where everyone has what they need to live their healthiest lives.”

Belonging
The data also outlined areas for elected officials and community leaders to further explore. For instance, Latino and LGBTQ+ residents reported lower rates of belonging than other groups surveyed. A strong sense of belonging supports overall health by increasing the likelihood that an individual perceives themselves as having places where they can access support and successfully manage the stressors of everyday life.

Health Care
The report also highlighted growing concerns around health care accessibility and affordability. Most Missourians rely on coverage through an employer, Medicare, or a spouse’s plan. Additionally, many respondents reported having a lapse in health care coverage at some point in the year. This means many may have gone without care, racked up medical debt, or redirected household funds to cover medical expenses.

Mental Health Care
At least 52% of residents reported mental strain last year, and more than half had difficulty accessing mental health care. This challenge was especially pronounced among marginalized groups, with 68% of Latinos, 67% of LGBTQ individuals, and 59% of women reporting difficulty. Black Missourians also cited health care discrimination, particularly in mental health.

About the Poll
This study was conducted in collaboration with bipartisan polling partners, FM3 Research and New Bridge Strategy, utilizing a combination of surveys conducted among 1,833 adult Missourians. The data was collected in English and Spanish via phone, online surveys, and in-person focus groups. The margin of sampling error was +/- 2.3@ at the 95% confidence level.

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Missouri Foundation for Health is building a more equitable future through collaboration, convening, knowledge sharing, and strategic investment. Working in partnership with communities and nonprofits, MFH is transforming systems to promote fairness within all aspects of health and addressing the social and economic factors that shape health outcomes.

 

 

On Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, United Women in Faith Remembers Struggle for Civil Rights

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NEW YORK – On March 7, 1965, over 600 men, women, and children began to march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., to protest the suppression of Black voters. Segregationists injured 58 people that day, from tear gas burns to skull fractures. After seeing this cruelty, demonstrators rose across the country and President Lyndon B. Johnson vowed to make the Voting Rights Act law. At the successful march two weeks later, over 25,000 people arrived at the state capitol in Montgomery.

In remembrance of the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the events surrounding it, United Women in Faith today issued the following statement, which can be attributed to its general secretary and CEO, Sally Vonner:

“United Women in Faith remembers the legacy of those who risked life and limb in pursuit of the right to vote. Although it has been 61 years since Bloody Sunday, we know that the fight for voting rights — and a truthful telling of our history — continues.

“In the same way that our foremothers and ancestors stood against segregation and fought for civil rights, we lift our voices today. We may not all feel the brunt of an officer’s baton, but we are still fighting against repressive forces who stand in opposition to voter access for all. Proposed and enacted legislation threatens access to voter registration and paths to the ballot box for many women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color. Our country’s history advocating for racial justice and civil rights has been labeled ‘divisive,’ and those in power are trying to hide it. We will raise our voices and take action to ensure we do not lose the lessons of our past.

“We share our appreciation for those who fought so women and people of color could exercise their right to vote, and we follow in their footsteps in pursuit of justice. We will not let their stories be erased or their work be undone.

“On this 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and every day, we honor the sacrifices of past generations and look ahead to the work that is left to be done. Each of us has a responsibility to pick up the torch and champion pathways to voting that are free and accessible to all.”

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United Women in Faith is the largest denominational organization for women in the United States.

Leading Reparations Expert Calls for Process Review on Washington Reparations Study

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OLYMPIA, Wash. — As Washington state looks to be the third state in the nation to pursue a statewide reparations study, Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter today released an open letter to Washington State Attorney General Nicholas Brown. Dr. Hunter is a professor of Sociology and African American Studies and the author of “Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation.”

This letter followed Dr. Hunter’s struggle to obtain a debrief and submit a protest regarding the process and selection in the State of Washington Department of Commerce’s Charles Mitchell and George Washington Bush Study on Reparative Action. His experiencing studying and contributing to reparations commissions situate him as a clear expert for the study, yet he was repeatedly denied the due process that he was entitled to.

As an esteemed academic with nationwide recognition for his reparations research and advocacy, Dr. Hunter raised concerns about the harms caused by procedural failures and performative equity when considering reparations.

“Reparations demand more than aspiration,” Dr. Hunter said. “They demand institutional courage. They demand procedural truth. This request is not about reversing an award. It is about safeguarding the architecture of justice at the very moment a state attempts to give it form.”

The open letter to State Attorney General Nicholas Brown is available in its entirety here: https://www.marcusanthonyhunter.com/rol

If you are interested in discussing this matter with Dr. Hunter further, please contact press@spotlightpr.org.

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Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter is a sociologist and public scholar whose work focuses on Black communities, urban policy, and reparative justice. He is the author of “Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation.”

Child Care Advocates to Elected Officials: Protect Us All

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For Immediate Release

January 27, 2026

WASHINGTON – Following the tragic killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a U.S. Border Patrol agent, child care organizers and advocates with 9to5 Georgia, the Alabama Institute for Social Justice, Alliance for Quality Education NY, the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, SPACEs in Action/Community Change, and the Raising Child Care Fund today issued the following statement:

“As child care organizers and parents, we grieve the perilous conditions unleashed by federal agents on children and families in Minnesota and beyond,” said Mary Ignatius, executive director of Parent Voices. “From threats to freeze child care funding, to dangerous immigration raids, to the calculated racial profiling of people of color, many communities feel unfairly targeted. This should matter to us all.”

“We know firsthand that children cannot learn when they are in survival mode,” said Lenice Emanuel, executive director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice. “Child care educators cannot teach when they, and the children and families they serve, are under attack. Moreover, communities cannot know safety when they, and the public officials charged with serving them, are terrorized by federal agents.”

“Indeed, the federal government appears to have turned on her citizens,” said Lorena Garcia, CEO, Colorado Statewide Parents Coalition. “Law enforcement has been deputized to hunt persons suspected of being undocumented, with a new memo suggesting Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) could go door to door in search of undocumented immigrants. The practice of “detain first, ask questions later,” is immoral and dangerous. It isn’t in service of keeping the nation safe; it is designed to instill terror and fear in the American people.

“In the space of a few weeks, we’ve seen a pregnant woman pulled from her car, a disabled woman who was on her way to a medical appointment detained, a toddler and preschooler detained and flown out of the state, police officers of color detained, and multiple people shot, some fatally, by ICE or Border Patrol. The killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have been well publicized, but they are not anomalies. In 2025, 32 people died in Immigration Customs and Enforcement custody, including 7 people who died in December 2025 alone,” Ignatius said.

“In a developed nation, no one should fear extra-judicial killings,” said LaDon Love, executive director, SPACEs in Action. It is imperative that each of us contact our respective federal officials and ask them to immediately pull ICE and DHS from Minnesota, and to prevent their entry in other American cities. As Jamelle Bouie from the New York Times has said, “mass deportation is inherently cruel.””

Child care advocates urge parents and others to:

  • Ask elected leaders to fund child care, not ICE.
  • Contact your elected leaders via email or phone, and share your thoughts about ICE.
  • Ask elected leaders for a thorough investigation into ICE killings.

“As an entity dedicate to children, families and child care providers, the RCCF joins our grantee partners in supporting the health, safety, and well-being of children, families, and early educators facing heightened stress and uncertainty in their communities,” said Rachel Schumacher, Director, the Raising Child Care Fund.

 

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