Kamala Harris has unveiled a new plan aimed at empowering Black men ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. The initiative focuses on providing more economic opportunities and support for Black men, as she seeks to energize a key voting bloc amid concerns about a lack of enthusiasm from Democrats.
Harris’ plan includes offering forgivable business loans for Black entrepreneurs, creating more apprenticeships, and funding research into diseases like sickle cell anemia that disproportionately affect African American men, according to The Associated Press.
Having already expressed support for the legalization of marijuana, Harris’ plan also aims to ensure that Black men have opportunities to participate in the emerging cannabis industry. Additionally, she calls for better regulation of cryptocurrency to protect Black men and others who invest in digital assets.
Dubbed the “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” the plan is designed to engage African American males at a time when some fear they may abstain from voting in the upcoming election, rather than supporting either Harris or her opponent, Donald Trump.
Harris unveiled the plan ahead of a visit to Erie, Pennsylvania, where she will meet with a Black-owned small business and hold a campaign rally. This effort comes on the heels of former President Barack Obama’s recent comment that some Black men “aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president.”
Harris’ campaign has also been working to boost support among other male voter groups, including Hispanic men, through initiatives like the “Hombres con Harris” (Men with Harris) campaign. The latest policy rollout is notable for its explicit aim to motivate Black men to vote, just weeks before Election Day.
As with the “Hombres” initiative, Harris’ team plans to organize gender-specific events, including “Black Men Huddle Up” gatherings in battleground states featuring African American male celebrities for watch parties of NFL and NCAA football games. The campaign will also roll out testimonial ads in key states, featuring local Black male voices.
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Cedric Richmond, co-chair of the Harris campaign and a former Louisiana congressman, emphasized Harris’ goal of building an economy where Black men are equipped to thrive—buying homes, providing for their families, starting businesses, and building wealth.
Although Black Americans strongly supported Joe Biden in 2020, Harris advisers are more concerned that Black male voters may choose not to vote at all, rather than switching their support to Trump. Trump has also increased efforts to appeal to Black and Hispanic voters by holding roundtables with Black entrepreneurs and participating in a Univision-sponsored town hall.
Harris’ new proposals include a promise to distribute 1 million forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to Black entrepreneurs with strong business ideas. The loans would be facilitated through partnerships between the Small Business Administration and community banks and leaders committed to their communities.
Additionally, Harris aims to offer federal incentives to encourage more African American men to become teachers, citing that only about 1% of public school teachers were Black men in 2020-21, according to the National Teacher and Principal Survey. She also plans to expand federal programs that forgive educational loans for public service workers, further encouraging Black men to pursue teaching careers.
The vice president is also pledging to collaborate with organizations like the National Urban League and local governments to expand apprenticeships and credentialing opportunities in Black communities.
Her advisers have urged her to address cryptocurrency more frequently, given its popularity among Black men. As president, Harris plans to back a regulatory framework to better protect investors in digital assets, including cryptocurrency.
Harris also promises to launch a national initiative to fund research and detection efforts for health issues disproportionately affecting Black men, such as sickle cell disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, and mental health challenges.
A recent survey shows that Black voters trust Harris over Trump on most key issues. As Face2Face Africa reported earlier, more than eight-in-ten (84%) Black voters say they would vote for Harris if the election were held today, while 13% say they would vote for Trump.
READ ALSO: New Poll: Kamala Harris gains majority support among Black swing-state voters
