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In the News March 23, 2020

The NAACP Host Black Census Week to Ensure Complete Count for Black Populations

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Washington, D.C. (March 23, 2020) — The NAACP is focused on ensuring a full and accurate count amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through their Black Census Week efforts. The week will consist of various activities to ensure communities of color, specifically Black populations, are informed about the Census and fill it out in its entirety. 

The primarily based social media campaign will encapsulate everything from Celebrity influencer census promotional videos  (Ruth E. Carter, Marcel Spears, Yvette Nicole Brown, Ethan Herisse and Loni Love) to a webinar on Thursday, March 26, 2020, which will feature Dallas City Councilman Casey Thomas, a representative from the Links Incorporated and a speaker from Spelman College. The Webinar will also focus on the frontline workers who are severely impacted by COVID-19 and what the Census means for them. 

Each day of the week will focus on a specific initiative within the Black community. The various topics include:

  • Monday - NAACP Feature of the day - Education Advocacy
  • Tuesday - NAACP Feature of the day - Environmental and Climate Justice Advocacy
  • Wednesday - NAACP Feature of the day - Health Advocacy
  • Thursday - NAACP Feature of the day - Economic/Workers Advocacy
  • Friday - NAACP Feature of the day - Voting Rights/Civic Engagement
  • Saturday - NAACP Feature of the day - Criminal Justice Advocacy
  • Sunday - NAACP Feature of the day - Faith Organizing

In addition to the full week of activities, the NAACP is welcoming two Senior Democracy Fellows to the Civic Engagement team who will co-lead on the 2020 Census Campaign. Brittany Smith and Myisha Patterson Gatson will work with NAACP units, members, and partner groups to develop and implement innovative programs that provide targeted advocacy, training and mobilization to reach our Democracy inclusion goals.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has called into question how we as a nation ensure that the 2020 Census counts all persons living in the States so that we can continue as a Democracy, said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, NAACP. "This moment in history requires all of us to face this health crisis and ensure that all communities, especially those systematically left behind, are included. The NAACP is focused on pushing forward to provide a complete Census count now more than ever."

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP's work and our "Game Changer" issue areas here.