WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC  — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government  —  congratulates Deidre DeJear on winning the primary for Governor in Iowa. 

Mrs. Deidre DeJear is running for Governor of Iowa. Mrs. DeJear is a devoted advocate for education; while in college she co-founded Back to School Iowa, a nonprofit organization that supplies thousands of Des Moines students with school supplies. Current CEO and founder of Caleo Enterprises, she has uplifted and empowered over 1000 small businesses; recently about 120 small business owners were able to gain access to funding and resources during the pandemic. Mrs. DeJear believes in protecting voting rights, uplifting education, and creating economic opportunities for all Iowans. 

Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is proud to congratulate Deidre DeJear on her historic primary victory win for Governor of Iowa. Mrs. DeJear is dedicated to building Iowa into a thriving and progressive state that represents all lifestyles; while building economic development and educational opportunities. If elected this November, she will make history by becoming Iowa’s first Black Governor. She is eagerly anticipating the fight for this election season, and we are excited to have partnered with an advocate who believes in tirelessly working and advocating for all Iowans” 

 

 

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 300 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC  — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government  — endorsed Zachary Parker D.C. City Council.

Mr. Zachary Parker is running for D.C. City Council in Ward Five. Mr. Parker currently serves as the President of the D.C. State Board of Education. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and received his Master’s Degree from Columbia University, Teachers College. Mr. Parker has invested and uplifted the community by establishing the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee, Ward 5 Back-To-School Supplies Giveaway, and many other programs. If elected, Mr. Parker plans to create a comprehensive plan for public safety, and invest in the community through educational and economic development opportunities.

 

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 300 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC  — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government — endorsed a slate of candidates in statewide races in Georgia.

• Hon. Kwanza Hall is running for Lieutenant Governor in Georgia. Mr. Hall served Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District, completing the late Congressman John Lewis’ term. Prior to serving in the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Hall served for 15 years as the Councilmember for Atlanta City Council District Two. If elected, Mr.Hall plans to protect teachers and improve education, advocate for better infrastructure, and safer communities, and secure financial freedom for all Georgians by investing in the economy. 

 

• State Representative William Boddie is running for Georgia Labor Commissioner.  State Rep. Bodie currently serves in Georgia’s 46th District for the Georgia House of Representatives. Rep. Bodie is the Founder of Bodie & Associates, LLC and has been actively practicing law since 2005, specializing in personal injury and criminal defense law. If elected, State Rep. Bodie plans to advocate for higher wages and reopen the Georgia Department of Labor, and invest in education and economic development by merging business training programs with labor and community organizations. 

 

• Ms. Imani Barnes is running to represent Georgia’s 86th District in the Georgia House of  Representatives. Ms. Barnes received her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree from South Carolina State University and currently is a public health Ph.D. candidate.  Ms. Banres is a public health professional and youth development coach. Ms. Barnes is running to be a voice for the unheard and underprivileged.  If elected, Ms. Barnes plans to advocate for voting rights, youth development programs, LGBTQ and women’s rights, and address the lack of affordable housing. 

 

 

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state, and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 300 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

 

Throughout 2022, The Collective PAC will provide pertinent updates every month on our work to support Black candidates running nationwide, as well as results of key research projects and groundbreaking initiatives we’ll be undertaking as we work to increase Black political engagement, representation and power across all levels of government. 

Primary Election Victories Throughout the Country 

The Collective PAC celebrated the primary victories of the following 41 endorsed candidates throughout the month of May.  

Alabama:

• Wendell Major 
• Wesley Thompson

Arkansas: 

• Dr. Chris Jones 

Kentucky:

• Hon. Charles Booker 
• Mr. Lamin Swann

North Carolina: 

• Hon. Cheri Beasley 
• State Senator Valerie Foushee
• Allen Buansi 
• Bettina Umstead 

Georgia:

• Representative Lucy McBath 
• Marcus Flowers 
• Representative Nikema Williams
• Representative Sanford Bishop 
• Stacey Abrams 
• Dr. Adrienne Simmons 
• Candice D. McKinley
• State Representative El-Mahdi Holly 
• Joyce Barlow
• Dr. Michelle Morancie 
• Tanya Miller
  

Ohio:

• Councilmember Cheryl Stephens 
• State Representative Emilia Sykes

• Representative Shontel Brown

• Councilwoman Chelsea Clark 
• Judge Terri Jamison 

• Jeffery Saffold 

• Councilwoman Meredith M. Turner 

• Judge Michael John Ryan  
• Rickell Howard Smith 

Pennsylvania:

• Congressman Dwight Evans 
• State Representative Summer Lee
• State Representative Austin Davis 

• Izzy Smith-Wade-El 

Tennessee:

• Judge Rachel L. Bell 
• Robin Kimbrough Hayes

Texas:

• State Representative Jasmine Crockett
• Ms. Jolanda Jones
• Mr. Venton Jones  
• Mr. Dexter McCoy 
• Jamal Johnson
• Brandon Chase McGee 
  

 

May Endorsements

The Collective PAC endorsed local candidates running for office in Texas as well as 21 state and local candidates in Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. In addition, the PAC endorsed statewide candidates in Alabama, California, Georgia, and Florida; and endorsed three Congressional candidates from California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. 

“Our Collective Power” Speaker Series: “Faith in Politics” 

The Collective PAC released the third installment of the “Our Collective Power” speaker series focused on faith in politics featuring Chris Jones, candidate for Governor of Arkansas, and Erica Smith, former candidate for North Carolina’s First Congressional District.You can watch the full discussion here.

#BetOnBlack, Candidate Video Series 

The Collective PAC released new installments of our #BetOnBlack candidate video series featuring Dr. Kermit Jones, candidate for California’s third Congressional District; Christain Wise Smith, former candidate for Attorney General in Georgia; and Erica Smith, former candidate for North Carolina’s First Congressional District.

 

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC 

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 300 Black candidates win elections across the United States.