VOTING RIGHTS — As gerrymandering erases Black congressional districts nationwide, a coordinated coalition of civil rights groups is mobilizing for the November 2026 midterms. The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, National Bar Association, and National Urban League have launched the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline partnership, deploying attorneys and law students across key jurisdictions to monitor polling places and respond to voting barriers in real time. More than 350 voting rights events are underway across all 50 states, marking the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and building voter education infrastructure ahead of what voting rights advocates warn could be one of the most suppressed elections in modern history.
HEALTH EQUITY — California's Black caucus members are urging state leaders to include $500 million in emergency funding in the 2026-27 state budget to shield the state's 17 public hospital systems from federal health care policy changes and state funding cuts that could result in a potential $3 billion in annual losses. Over 14 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, with African Americans representing over a million of those beneficiaries. The collapse of public hospital systems would devastate Black communities already contending with structural racism in hospital financing that systematically underfunds institutions serving majority-Black populations.
BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE — There are approximately 3.12 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S., accounting for about 10% of all American businesses, generating over $200 billion in annual revenue and employing millions of people. Yet Black women experienced steep employment losses in 2025—a 1.4 percent drop—but Black women-owned employer businesses grew 18.3% between 2022 and 2025, with employment at those businesses growing 23.1%. As August draws to a close, advocates emphasize that Black Business Month momentum must translate into sustained consumer support and capital access year-round.
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Co-founded by Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, BLK & Bold is a Black-owned specialty coffee and tea company that pledges 5% of profits to initiatives supporting at-risk youth. The brand combines quality products with authentic community impact, making it one of the most accessible ways to support Black entrepreneurship year-round.
Visit Business →Presented by Visionaries, the Hey Helen Grant Program awards $10,000 to women-owned businesses generating less than $1 million in annual revenue. Nonbinary applicants assigned female at birth are welcome. After August 2026, grants will be awarded on a monthly basis, ensuring ongoing access to capital year-round.
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