President Derrick Johnson Speaks on New Coalition to Defend Student Debt Relief

"Education is meant to be a key to financial freedom, not the ultimate barrier. The reality is that for far too long, the overwhelming burden of student debt has kept Black Americans from utilizing their education to attain upward mobility and create the generational wealth they seek. Let's be real - student debt is crushing Black America," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "The coronavirus pandemic has only made things worse, and borrowers deserve a chance to get back on their feet. The NAACP has advocated for student debt relief for years, mobilizing student borrowers across the country to tell their stories and urging the President to take action. President Biden's plan to begin addressing the student debt crisis is not only legal but essential for providing much-needed relief to some 40 million Americans who are dealing with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The NAACP proudly joins our partners in pulling out every tool in the box to make sure borrowers receive the relief they need. It is up to the Supreme Court to do the right thing and uphold the President's plan to pave the way toward greater economic and racial equality in America."

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About NAACP 
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.