Seven years ago we began a journey with an unknown destination. Many of us were convinced that we could improve the advocacy for our communities by joining our voices together. Too often our efforts ended in too much conversation and too little action. There just had to be a better way.

We find ourselves now seven years removed from those initial meetings. After deciding we would call ourselves the Alliance of BLACK elected officials we began the process of articulating what mattered most to us and what we were willing to do about it. As contained in our commitment statements, we believe that the achievement gap in education should be eliminated. We believe that lack of health care research and access means that too many in our community die before their time. We also believe that justice and fairness would not result in 60% of the state’s prison population being Black when Blacks only make up 21% of North Carolina’s population. We believe that we are just as capable of leading and deserve the same opportunity to participate in the voting process as any other citizen. Finally, we believe the gross disparity in wealth that exists in our country and our state; results from historic inequities, prejudices and practices that should be eliminated from our own minds and those who purport to serve our communities.
It became clear that these were not only issues that concern those who were elected; they were the concerns of all people who believe in the brotherhood of man and equality for all. Therefore advocacy organizations from across the state were asked to join in our crusade. Many decided to join us.

We have made progress. Not only has our voice been heard in the White House, the Governor's Mansion, the halls of Congress and the NC General Assembly , it has also influenced decisions for county commissions, town councils and school boards. Many groups now embrace priorities, including the Legislative Black Caucus and the NAACP-led HKonJ movement that did not exist at our founding. The Alliance is known as a good partner and an effective organization to reach the leadership of Black elected officials and advocates.

Each year nearly 300 of us have gathered in Raleigh for the NC Black Summit. It is a time for fun, a time for inspiration, recommitment and for sharing. Each participant is respected regardless of his or her office or position in the community. What the attendees respect most are good ideas. Whether it is the health-care plan, redistricting, voter suppression initiatives, fairness in the death penalty, or promoting more jobs for low-income people, the Alliance has been there as a voice and agent of change. There has been much accomplished, but there is significantly more to do.