The National Coalition’s Unity Diaspora Campaign Kicks Off 30-Day Countdown to National Census Day

Congressman Clay, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus join African, African American, Afro-Latino, & Caribbean leaders for press conference

Washington, DC - The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (The National Coalition) Unity Diaspora Coalition (UDC), its partners and supporters, will hold a press conference to kick-off the UDC 30-Day Countdown to Census Day, Wednesday March 3, 2010 at 10:30 am at the US Capitol. The launch marks the first of several events planned in nine states leading up to National Census Day on April 1. The coalition of groups representing the Black Diaspora have joined together to decrease the undercount of the Black population by educating residents in traditionally hard-to-count neighborhoods on the importance of completing and returning Census forms. Also, to help reduce the confusion about question nine on the Census form, the UDC is encouraging the Black immigrant community to check the “Race” box then write in their country of origin.

In the days following the national announcement, local Census countdown press conferences, town hall meetings, poster & social media competitions, and other activities will take place in cities where the UDC is working. UDC cities are: Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Gary, IN; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Los Angeles, CA; NYC, NY; Atlanta, GA; and Miami, FL.

WHO: The National Coalition’s Unity Diaspora Coalition partners:
Dr. Dorothy I. Height, National Council of Negro Women
Melanie L. Campbell, The National Coalition
Makani Themba-Nixon, The Praxis Project
Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
Marc Morial, National Urban League
Benjamin Afrifa, African Federation
Dr. Claire Nelson, Institute of Caribbean Studies

Also in attendance: Dr. Barbara Skinner, Skinner Leadership Institute, Ron Daniels, Institute of the Black World 21st Century, Vanessa Williams, National Conference of Black Mayors, Foster Stringer, American Federation of Teachers, Jackie Davis, UniverSoul Circus, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus, Congressman William “Lacy” Clay, chair, Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census & National Archives, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair, Congressional Black Caucus, and other CBC members.

WHAT: Press conference kicking off The National Coalition’s UDC 30-Day Countdown to Census Day

WHEN: DATE: Wednesday March 3, 2010

TIME: 10:30 A.M. – 11 A.M.
(Next steps discussion 11:15 A.M – 12 Noon)

WHERE: US Capitol Rayburn Building, Room 2247, Washington, DC.

CONTACT: Edrea Davis edmedia@dogonvillage.com or 770.961.6200.

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The National Coalition is a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of over 80 member organizations and affiliates in 12 states dedicated to enhancing the full participation of the Black community in all levels of civil society. Over its 30-year history, The National Coalition has served as an effective convener and facilitator at the local, state and national levels of efforts to address the disenfranchisement of African Americans and other marginalized communities. For more information, please visit : www.ncbcp.org/www.unitydiasporacoalition.net.

Contact Information

Edrea Davis

Communications Director

Jazzmyne PR

Contact via E-mail