Spotlight PR brings quality public relations assistance into reach for mission-driven causes as well as socially conscious entrepreneurs, celebrities and executives.

Tag: redistricting

Black Southern Women’s Collaborative Weigh in on Redistricting in States Such as Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Oct. 30, 2023

ATLANTA – On Thursday, October 26, U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones declared that Georgia’s current maps violated the Voting Rights Act and must be redrawn by Dec. 8. Gov. Brian Kemp ordered a special session on Nov. 29 to begin the map-drawing process. The Black Southern Women’s Collaborative, which includes founder Phyllis Hill; Kendra Cotton, CEO of the New Georgia Project; Nsombi Lambright-Haynes, executive director of One Voice; Tameka Greer, executive director of Memphis Artists for Change; Rev. Rhonda Thomas, executive director of Faith in Florida; and Ashley K. Shelton, president and founder of the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice, released the following statement:

“For years, Black women have been organizing against unfair and inequitable redistricting maps,” Cotton said. “We have done this even as we have gone to great lengths to educate our communities on how they could engage in the process. The federal court ruling in Georgia, and the Supreme Court rulings in Alabama and Louisiana affirm what we’ve said all along, the state and congressional districting lines in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana disproportionately harmed Black voters.”

“We have repeatedly urged elected officials to create fair maps while also educating voters on how they could engage in the redistricting process,” Shelton said. “In Louisiana, we launched a tour where we went city by city to explain the process in accessible terms. We, along with partners and allies, also filed a legal challenge to Louisiana’s maps which diluted the voting power of Black voters. Our work has shown that when Black women organize, Black communities benefit. It is imperative that donors and foundations continue to get resources to Black women who have time and time again proven to be defenders of democracy.”

The victory for Black voters in Georgia follows similar wins in Louisiana and Alabama where the Supreme Court ruled those states’ maps violated Black voters’ ability to elect candidates of choice. Ohio advocates are also preparing to put a measure on the ballot that would allow ordinary citizens as opposed to politicians to draw state legislative lines.

“The right to vote is sacred,” Hill said. “And from coast to coast, Black women organizers have been pushing back on attacks that undermine the right to vote and democracy itself. From experience, we know that when we fight, we will win.”

###

Power Coalition: Redistricting Must Ensure Maps That Look Like the State

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Jan. 31, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Power Coalition for Equity & Justice is continuing efforts to ensure an equitable and fair redistricting process. Today, it called on elected leaders to ensure new maps that are representative of Louisiana. With the redistricting process in Louisiana set to begin on Feb. 1, the organization has announced a series of events to engage voters and legislators alike.

After hosting a multicity roadshow in fall 2021, where organizational leaders engaged voters around redistricting, the Power Coalition held a series of group texting events. Titled Texting Tuesdays Power Hour, the weekly sessions enable voters to engage one another and elected leaders about redistricting. The virtual sessions, which began in mid-January, are held on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CST. To date, advocates have contacted 7,000 people through the Texting Tuesdays Power Hour events.

Additionally, the Power Coalition will convene voters at the state capitol on Feb. 1 and 2 to urge legislators to create two minority-majority seats and ensure that the new maps are more representative of the 40% people of color in the state. At the conclusion of the Feb. 1 convening, where 200 people are registered to attend, there will be a 4:00 p.m. CST press conference at the Louisiana State Capitol, 900 North Third Street in Baton Rouge. Reporters must register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/power-mobilization-redistricting-advocacy-day-tickets-243380847667.

“Our intention is to help legislators understand and appreciate the desires of voters,” said Ashley K. Shelton, executive director of the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice. “We need elected leaders to ensure all voters have every opportunity to be heard. Legislators must ensure new maps are representative of the demographics of the state. Elected officials cannot ignore communities of interest that are strongly influenced by communities of color.”

###

The Power Coalition for Equity & Justice works to build power and voice in traditionally disenfranchised communities across Louisiana. It is a coalition of groups united around a shared mission of organizing in impacted communities, educating, and turning out voters, and fighting for policies that create a more equitable and just system in our state.

Download Our Crisis Communications Checklist

In an era of instant information, accusations can spread like wildfire. Even if claims are unfounded, your brand can take a hit; especially if one is a public figure. Download our crisis communications checklist to begin thinking about crisis management.

Crisis Management Checklist Popup

Name