AMPLIFYINGBLACKPERSPECTIVES EXECUTIVESUMMARY
TheCenterforPolicyAnalysisandResearch(CPAR)launchedanoriginal datacollectionprojectattheCongressionalBlackCaucusFoundation’s53rd AnnualLegislativeConference(ALC).Wesurveyedattendeesabouttheirtop concernsheadingintothe2024election.AmplifyingBlackPerspectivesisa reportthatshinesalightontheunderreportedperspectivesofBlack Americans.
KeyFindings
ThereportidentifieskeyissuesandsharedconcernsforBlackAmericansthat canhelpshapelegislationonimportanttopics.WefoundthatBlack Americanscaredmostabouteducationandcriminaljustice,whichwerenot focalpointsinmanynationalcampaigns.Wealsofoundthatimmigrationand globalaffairs–prominentissuesduringthe2024electioncycle-werethe lowestprioritiesforBlackAmericans.
Over85%ofBlackAmericanssurveyedwereconcernedaboutthespreadof politicalmisinformationanddisinformation.MembersofCongresscanpass legislationthatincreasestransparencyandaccuracyincampaignadsand otherpoliticalmediabytargetingdeliberatelydeceptivespeechandtheuse ofartificialintelligenceanddeepfakes.
Southernrespondentswerehighlyconcernedaboutstate-levelvoter suppressionlawsthatmadeitmoredifficultforthemtovote.Memberscan championvotingrightslegislationliketheJohnLewisVotingRightsActto increasefederalprotectionsthataffirmtherighttovoteforallAmericans.
Over90%ofBlackAmericanssurveyedindicatedthatreproductiverights wereakeyissueforthem.Blackwomenarethreetimesmorelikelytodie fromcomplicationssurroundingpregnancyandchildbirththanwhitewomen. Memberscancontinuetoadvocateforpoliciesthatsupportthefullrange ofreproductivecareforBlackfamilies.
Threeoutoffourrespondentssaidclimatechangewasakeyissueforthem. MillennialsandGenZrespondentsweremoreenthusiasticabouttheissue thanolderrespondents.MemberscanusetheirplatformstoeducateBlack Americansabouttheimpactsofclimatechange,connectwithyoungervoters, anddraftlegislationtobuildclimateresiliencyinBlackcommunities.