Friends And Family:
I was serious about a Southern and African American platform while on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) campaign trail for chair. African Americans are the most loyal constituency of the Party. And, our interest ought to be acknowledged and executed upon as we gain "the bounties and rewards" of the American dream. The majority of blacks in this country reside in the South, and the area is trending to pickup seven (7) congressional seats at the conclusion of the 2030 census and 2031 reapportionment is materialized. The data says:
Alabama: African American Population: 1,296,162 (25.8% Of Total Population: 5,024,279)
Arkansas: African American Population: 453,783 (15.1% Of Total Population: 3,011,524)
Delaware: African American Population: 218,899 (22.1% Of Total Population: 989,948)
Florida: African American Population: 3,246,381 (15.1% Of Total Population: 21,538,187)
Georgia: African American Population: 3,320,513 (31.0% Of Total Population: 10,711,908 )
Kentucky: African American Population: 362,417 (8.0% Of Total Population: 4,505,836)
Louisiana: African American Population: 1,464,023 (31.4% Of Total Population: 4,657,757)
Maryland: African American Population: 1,820,472 (29.5% Of Total Population: 6,117,224)
Mississippi: African American Population: 1,084,481
(36.6% Of Total Population: 2,961,279)
North Carolina: African American Population: 2,140,217
(20.5% Of Total Population: 10,439,388)
Puerto Rico: African American Population: 233,841
(7.3% Of Total Population: 3,203,295)
South Carolina: African American Population: 1,280,531
(25% Of Total Population: 5,118,425)
Tennessee: African American Population: 1,092,948
(15.8% Of Total Population: 6,910,840)
Texas: African Americans: 3,552,997
(12.2% Of Total Population: 29,145,505)
United States Virgin Islands: African American Population: 62,183
(71.4% Of Total Population: 87,146)
Virginia: African American Population: 1,607,581
(18.6% Of Total Population: 8,631,393)
Washington, District of Columbia: African American Population: 285,472
(41.4% Of Total Population: 689,454)
West Virginia: African American Population: 65,813 (3.7% Of Total Population: 1,793,716)
Source: United States Census Bureau Data, 2020 And 2024
The socioeconomic and racial climate of this nation has increasingly become volatile over the past few weeks. And throughout the South generally, one ideology has a trifecta of power. That is by and large due to racial and partisan gerrymandering. There are many critical issues which need more than rhetoric to address them. The rings of power and progress have been hollowed out for far too long. Yes, forward progression has been made, but not by leaps and bounds in the African American community when it comes to:
1. Having equal or equitable representation in elected and appointed office at every level of government or voting fully for "candidates of their choice."
2. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) being properly funded compared to Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
3. The widening of the wealth and opportunity gaps and economic inequality.
It is going to take divestiture, boycotting, mobilization, mass voter registration, social activation, litigation, civic education, and a new emancipation to come into creation to bring freedom closer to fruition for a People. It is going to take the conscious to remain woke and wake the slumbering. It is going to take esoteric people sharing with the vulnerable. It is going to take a collective to converge around an agenda.
Legislation changes the nation. The 1965 Voting Act was the crown jewel of the First Civil Rights Movement, and passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act shall be the crown jewel of the Second Civil Rights Movement. And, economic freedom, community development and sustainability, world-class pre-K through higher education, and the cost of living are connected to the vote. Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, "The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?" And I add, "What shall stop it from occurring in the former Confederate States of America first?"
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "At the bottom of every revolution is the dawning of the idea that all men are created equal," and "If we are all really God's children, then all of us are entitled to the same opportunities, pleasures, and responsibilities. That is the seed which all the aspirations of humanity grows." A new humanity must take shape. A new coalition of varying racial, ethnic, linguistic, social, and political stripes must be made. A new playbook must be written. New orders and new proclamations must be signed. With your effort, a new nation must be born. I am asking for your financial support of my nonprofit organization, the Hathaway Action Fund, so we can achieve:
Organization And Oration
Community Faith Leaders, Civic And Social Groups, And Voting And Civil Rights Organizations and Leaders
Launch and Execute Houses Of Worship Visitation And Speaking Tour
Southern States Speaking and Listening Tour
Partnering For Mass Voter Registration And Expanding Polling Locations
Polling Places On College And University Campuses Nationwide
Launch Southern Region Mass Voter Registration And Education Initiative
Student Orientation Registration And Voter Mobilization
Influencing Legislation And Public Advocation
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act And Freedom to Vote Act
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act And Freedom to Vote Act must come alive with full participation and sponsorship of the congressional, state, municipal, and local levels and hold the vote open. We must build a grassroots movement and coalition for the passage of the two (2) pieces of legislation.
Address Issues Around Voter Protection, Racial And Partisan Gerrymandering, Disability Discrimination, Book Banning, And Education
Mobilization And Strategization
Set Dates, Acquire March Permits, Establish Security, And Build Coalition Of Participants
Southern Student Walkout
Students At Levels Pre-K Through Higher Education Will Walkout At A Designated Time In Solidarity On Issues Of Educational Equality, Equity, Culturally Responsive Education, And Minority Studies.
Day Without African Americans
Day Without Arab Americans and Muslims
Day Without Asian Americans
Day Without Native Americans
Day Without Immigrants
Day Without Workers
Each demographic community ought to boycott from purchasing anything, reporting to their place of employment, and protest march on designated date(s).
Historically Black College And University (HBCUs) Students Day At The State Capitol
Middle And High School Students Day At The State Capitol
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, And Belonging Summit
Palestine And Israel Summit
Divestiture And Boycotting Town Halls
The forces of history are constantly entangled in my life's work. With your donation, we can turn the page of history of a region, a nation, that seeks to close the book on the marginalized and minorities. I am asking you to contribute twenty dollars and twenty-five ($20.25) or any amount you are compelled to give to the Hathaway Action Fund* so that we may go forward forever and backward never.
In solidarity,
Dr. Quintessa Hathaway
2025 Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Candidate
2022 Democratic Nominee, 118th U.S. Congress (2023-2025), Arkansas' Second District (AR-02)
*Note: Nonprofit 501 (c) (4) tax-exemption shall be obtained. Please keep receipt.
