Welcome and thank you for visiting the Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus page.
The Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus (GBC) is made up of DA members of all ethnicities from around the world who are willing and able to advocate on issues important to Black Americans within the United States of America and those living abroad. All DA members are eligible to join the GBC. We advocate for laws, policies, and programs that improve the lives of Black Americans and educate all people on the humanity of Black people.
The purpose of the Global Black Caucus is to provide a forum for all DA members to better understand the issues and concerns affecting Black Americans, to help eliminate unconscious bias within the DA membership and in America, to help engage with Black voters living abroad and ensure that their needs are met within the DA community, and, where needed, to advocate for reforms to political issues. We encourage and facilitate Black Americans abroad to engage, become informed, and exercise their voting franchise.
Malaika Kusumi
Adrienne Johnson
News
Black Maternal Health Week April 11 - 17
April 11, 2024
Global Black Caucus Chair: Biden-Harris Answering Black Maternal Health Crisis. Trump Will Make It Much Worse.
Today, during the start of Black Maternal Health Week, Angela Fobbs, Global Black Caucus Chair, released the following statement:
“Across the United States, Black women have long faced devastating barriers to accessible maternal care, leading to disproportionately higher pregnancy-related complications and mortality rates. While the Biden-Harris Administration is addressing this crisis head-on, Donald Trump is hellbent on worsening Black maternal health by pushing to repeal the Affordable Care Act and unleashing extreme abortion bans across the country. Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are waging a war on reproductive rights that disproportionately harms Black women as he and his MAGA allies plan to ban abortion nationwide, with or without Congress. This November, the stakes could not be higher, and Americans Abroad will head to the polls knowing that healthcare is on the ballot.”
A second Trump presidency could be devastating for Black maternal health:
- If re-elected, Trump would ban abortion nationwide—with or without Congress’ help.
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Trump wants to slash funding for Medicare, and he sabotaged Medicaid expansion, which is significantly tied to a decrease in Black maternal mortality. Now he’s doubling down on his attacks, pledging to gut the program if reelected.
- In the first two years of Trump’s presidency, 300,000 Black Americans lost health insurance. He was one vote away from repealing the Affordable Care Act and promised to “terminate” the ACA if reelected, which would rip insurance coverage from over 3 million Black Americans.
Meanwhile, President Biden and Vice President Harris are addressing Black maternal healthcare head-on:
- President Biden and Vice President Harris are the only candidates in this election who will fight to give women more freedoms—not fewer.
- President Biden bolstered the ACA, which requires insurers to cover pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
- Since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, funding to reduce maternal mortality has increased by $190 million.
- In 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid service launched the “Birthing-Friendly” tool, a new designation for hospitals that participate in prenatal improvement programs aimed at countering the 80% of preventable pregnancy-related deaths, which are especially high among Black Americans.
- In 2022, the Biden-Harris administration launched a maternal health hotline, a new service for expecting and new mothers experiencing mental health struggles. That same year, the White House hosted the first-ever cabinet meeting on maternal health and maternal health day of action.
The Cost of Inheritance Film Screening Follow Up Information
March 01, 2024
If you missed our Black History Month Event, The Cost of Inheritance: Film Screening and Q&A event. You can view the film here, and you can watch the Q&A with the director and people featured in the film here. Please like the video and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
During the Q&A, several websites and books were mentioned. We listed them below.
Websites shared:
- The Enemy Alien Files: Hidden Stories of World War II
- Campaign for Justice: Redress NOW for Japanese Latin Americans!
- Reparations 4 Slavery
- The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery
Books recommended:
- The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America by Shawn Rochester. Video.
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. Video.
- From Here to Equality, Second Edition by William A. Darity. Video.
- The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap by Mehrsa Baradaran. Video.
- When Affirmative Action Was White by Ira Katznelson. Video.
Please make sure you request your absentee ballot and vote! Freedom and justice for all are on the ballot this year.
Please check our task force and advocacy campaigns as we continue the push for reparative justice in America at the local, state, and federal levels. We are looking for Americans worldwide who want to join our team. We are explicitly keeping our eyes open for people who are open to learning and can engage in email banking, phone banking, and social media messaging.
If you are inspired to help us complete our mission, please consider donating here.
If you want to join the team, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 02:30 AM · 3 rsvps
Preconceived Film Screening
Women are under attack from all sides.
Where does someone turn when facing an unplanned pregnancy? Preconceived tells the stories of Maleeha and Maria, two women who, while navigating unplanned pregnancies, inadvertently found themselves at facilities discouraging them from abortions. The film is a window into these enigmatic centers that some call “pregnancy resource centers” and others call “fake clinics.” Shedding light on how many of these
centers are part of a movement striving to make abortion unthinkable and illegal, the documentary explores the complex role of deception, finances, faith, and privacy. Amid a shifting legal landscape, Preconceived underscores the significance of understanding the resources available to pregnant people.
Watch the Trailer
Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM · 2 rsvps
Preconceived Film Screening with Q&A with the Filmmakers
Women are under attack from all sides.
Where does someone turn when facing an unplanned pregnancy? Preconceived tells the stories of Maleeha and Maria, two women who, while navigating unplanned pregnancies, inadvertently found themselves at facilities discouraging them from abortions. The film is a window into these enigmatic centers that some call “pregnancy resource centers” and others call “fake clinics.” Shedding light on how many of these
centers are part of a movement striving to make abortion unthinkable and illegal, the documentary explores the complex role of deception, finances, faith, and privacy. Amid a shifting legal landscape, Preconceived underscores the significance of understanding the resources available to pregnant people.
After the film, the filmmakers will join us for an in-depth Q&A session.