There is a historic number of Black Women running for office this election season. Black women currently have no representation in the Senate, and there has never been a Black woman Governor. The idea of referencing someone as the “ First Black” is a loud signal of how far we have to go in the fight towards equality. There are six brilliant Black women who are ready to lace up their shoes for the race for Governor of their respective states.
Here are the Sistahs ready to shake things up in the 2022 Election.
1. Stacey Abrams of Georgia
Stacey Abrams, is a political leader, voting rights activist and New York Times bestselling author. She served eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives, seven as Democratic Leader, in 2018, Abrams became the Democratic nominee for Governor of Georgia, winning at the time more votes than any other Democrat in the state’s history. Abrams was the first Black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in the United States, and she was the first black woman and first Georgian to deliver a Response to the State of the Union. Leading the efforts to end voter suppression, Abrams is praised for helping to change Georgia blue during the 2020 Presidential election. Abrams is currently running in the 2022 election to become the first black woman governor of the state of Georgia.
Visit https://staceyabrams.com to learn more about this candidate.
2. Danielle Allen of Massachusetts
Danielle is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Cambridge. She earned her PhD in Government at Harvard in 1996. She comes from a lineage of philanthropists and political activists. Danielle is a nonprofit leader, policy innovator, educator, and mom. Over the last twenty years, she has led organizations at all levels of local civic education. Danielle has worked tirelessly through her writing, policy work, and political advocacy to advance the causes of freedom and equality, and to lay economic and health foundations on which all can flourish.
Learn more about this candidate at https://allenforma.com
3. Deidre DeJear of Iowa
Diedre DeJear, has dedicated her life to serving her community. She attended Drake University, and after graduating chose to make Iowa her new home. She is an early social impact entrepreneur, Deidre co-founded the nonprofit Back to School Iowa to support youth to continue in their educational endeavors. She also worked as a High school basketball coach and started Caleo Enterprises, which specializes in marketing and project development for small business and nonprofit clients. Her political career started in 2012 with her work for Organizing for America, the campaign to reelect President Barack Obama. In 2013 and 2015, Deidre ran the campaign of Des Moines Public Schools school board incumbent Teree Caldwell-Johnson and first-time candidate Dionna Langford, both of whom won their elections. In 2016, DeJear became the first African American female to be the Iowa Democratic Party’s nominee for office of Iowa secretary of state, and garnered more than 575,000 votes against incumbent Secretary of State Paul Pate. She is currently seeking to become the first black woman governor in the state of Iowa.
To learn more about this candidate visit https://www.dejearforiowa.com.
4. Former state Sen. Connie Johnson in Oklahoma
Sen. Connie Johnson, is a native Oklahoman and lifelong Democrat running to be Oklahoma’s 29th Governor, and the first Black Indigenous woman governor in the United States. Senator Johnson introduced Oklahoma’s first ever medical cannabis bill in 2007, during Oklahoma’s Centennial Year. Although introduced amidst much legislative and public condemnation, she reintroduced the bill and received the support of the people of Oklahoma allowing for the approval of medical cannabis legalization. Senator Johnson plans to fight for Tier One Jobs in rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening Oklahoma’s medicinal marijuana and industrial hemp industries, to guarantee public education, and to ensure health care is provided as a basic human right for every Oklahoman, especially mental health services.
Learn more about this candidate at https://connieforoklahoma.com
5. Sen. Mia McLeod of South Carolina
Mia Mc Leod, is a seventh-generation South Carolinian and small business owner from Bennettsville, South Carolina. As Governor she plans to focus her efforts on the South Carolina economy, infrastructure, and strengthening communities to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians. She has shown courage and leadership in and outside of government. With 19 years as an entrepreneur and CEO of her own company, serving as a college educator, the state’s top victim advocate and has a distinguished record of serving the people of South Carolina in the legislative and executive branches on both sides of the aisle.
To learn more about this candidate visit https://www.miaforsc.com.
6. Deirdre Gilbert of Texas
Deirdre Gilbert of Texas, is a native Houstonian with over 26 years of experience working in Education. Deirdre is an avid speaker and a long time advocate for victims of Medical Malpractice. The tragic death of her daughter due to medical malpractice, ignited her pursuit to highlight the injustices of malpractice occurring in the medical field. As Governor she plans to focus on tax issues, advocate for change in voting rights, gerrymandering, housing rights and healthcare. Diedre is not waiting to get into office to make a changes in her community. Her work starts now and will continue after the race.
Learn more about this candidate at https://gilbert4gov.com
We know that each of these women have a very long rThey are poised and on a mission to help transform their states. "Women of color are not only determining the outcome of these elections but we are asserting our leadership." said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. No democratic candidate can win without the black vote. That alone shows how much power we have in these elections. Use your power at the polls to change the color of Democracy.
For more information on voting registration deadlines, visit www.vote.org.