STATEMENT ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH FROM BUILDING BACK TOGETHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE MELFI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2022
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]

STATEMENT ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH FROM BUILDING BACK TOGETHER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE MELFI

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Building Back Together Executive Director Danielle Melfi released the following statement in honor of Black History Month:

“Black Americans have made innumerable contributions to our country and our democracy. This Black History Month, we honor and celebrate the generations of Black Americans who helped shape our nation across all aspects of our society – their contributions are an essential part of the American story. To honor the Black community, we must fight for equality and justice for Black Americans. We must secure and expand voting rights so that ​​every American can cast their ballot and have it counted. We must break down the systemic barriers of the criminal justice system that favor white Americans and disproportionately affect Black Americans, especially men. We must continue to build an economy that works for Black families, invests in Black businesses, and helps us build the middle class.

“While work remains to be done on all fronts to meet these ideals, we are encouraged by the Biden-Harris Administration’s unyielding support for the Black community. The Administration has taken on a pandemic and economic crisis that has disproportionately impacted Black Americans, including by passing the American Rescue Plan that has helped Black-owned small businesses keep their doors open, and delivered relief to families that cut child poverty nearly in half. It has ensured the federal government reflects the diversity of the country, including the first-ever Black Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors. President Biden will nominate a justice to the Supreme Court with the character, experience, and integrity to fill the role, and who will also make history as the first Black woman on the Court. The Biden-Harris Administration also continues the fight for voting rights to ensure we protect the access to the ballot box for Black Americans.

As the Biden-Harris Administration continues  to push on every front for racial equity and justice, Building Back Together is a committed ally to the Administration, our partner organizations, and most importantly, the Black community in this important and necessary fight.”

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