Black Economic Alliance
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| Black Economic Alliance | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Boston, Mass. |
| Type: | Political action committee |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Top official: | Akunna Cook (founding executive director) |
| Founder(s): | Akunna Cook |
| Year founded: | 2018 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Black Economic Alliance is a nonpartisan Political Action Committee (PAC) founded by Akunna Cook, a lawyer who advised former Attorney General Eric Holder on his National Democratic Redistricting Committee efforts.[1] According to the organization's website, "BE Alliance will identify and support candidates who champion economic opportunities for Black Americans, and once they are elected, we will hold them accountable."[2]
History
The organization was formed after a private dinner held in July 2017 in Bridgehampton, New York. A group of politically active black executives attended and sought advice from Senators and federal officials about their fund-raising efforts to address political and social issues, and to support candidates who shared their goals.[3] Acting on some of the advice they received, the group set out to form a super PAC, a federal PAC, and a 501(c)(4). By August 18, 2018, the Black Economic Alliance PAC had raised about $3.5 million to support candidates who shared their economic goals. Founding executive director Ayunna Cook said, “We’re supporting candidates where the black vote can be decisive and where every dollar counts."[4]
Mission
From the organization's website:
"What We Do
1. Advance an economic policy agenda focused on improving economic outcomes in three core areas: work, wages, and wealth
2. Support candidates for office who are aligned with that agenda by providing endorsements and funding key elections
3. Hold government officials across the political spectrum accountable to that agenda
Where we'll be in 2018
In 2018 we are supporting candidates who are committed to economic progress in the Black community. We are focused on carefully selected races where our endorsed candidates can win.
- Races in states and districts with a significant Black population
- Races that are competitive and where we can have an impact
- Races where candidates have expressed a commitment to Black economic progress
- Races where Black turnout could be decisive"[2]
Political activity
- See also: PACs and Super PACs
2018 elections
Endorsed candidates
As of September 2018, The Black Economic Alliance endorsed the following 2018 candidates, as listed on their website:[5]
| Black Economic Alliance endorsed candidates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Party | Result |
| Stacey Abrams | Governor-Georgia | Democratic | Pending |
| Richard Cordray | Governor-Ohio | Democratic | Pending |
| Ben Jealous | Governor-Maryland | Democratic | Pending |
| Tim Kaine | U.S. Senate-Virginia | Democratic | Pending |
Leadership
In September 2018, the following individuals held leadership positions with the group:[6]
- Akunna Cook, Founding Executive Director
- Simone L. Ward, Senior Advisor and Chief Political Strategist Consultant
- Corey Jones, Policy advisor
- Urina Harrell, Social Media Manager
- Andromaqcue Jean-Louis, Program Manager and Executive Assistant
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Black Economic Alliance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Black Economic Alliance, "NEW GROUP OF BLACK EXECS TO SPEND MILLIONS IN MIDTERMS," August 13, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Black Economic Alliance, "Our Mission," accessed September 7, 2018
- ↑ New York Times, "Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up," October 24, 2108
- ↑ Washington Post, "Jealous, Kaine among 4 Democrats endorsed by new group of black business leaders," August 13, 2018
- ↑ Black Economic Alliance, "Candidates," accessed September 7, 2018
- ↑ Black Economic Alliance, "Our Team," accessed September 7, 2018
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