When: Monday, September 10, 2018 11:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.
Where: The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
What:
50 years after the election of Shirley Chisholm as the first African American woman to serve in Congress, black women are flexing their electoral strength across the country. From their overwhelming impact in the Alabama special election, to the record number of black women running and winning elections at the state and local level, it is clear that there is a wave of electoral momentum.
Black women vote at the highest rates of any gender or racial subgroup; however, they are woefully underrepresented in elected office. While black women make up 7.3 percent of the country's population, they account for less than 4 percent of Congress and state legislators.
On September 10, the Metropolitan Policy Program, in partnership with Higher Heights Leadership Fund, will explore the tapped and untapped electoral strength of black women. David M. Rubenstein fellow Andre Perry will present analysis on current seats held by black officials and the strength of the black electorate to make their voices heard. We will then feature a panel of current and former black female elected leaders to discuss the implications and opportunities that can be harnessed and addressed in our modern political era.
Following the panel discussion, speakers will take questions from the audience.
This event has reached capacity and registration is now closed.