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, congratulated Ms. Shontel Brown on winning her primary election for the Ohio 11th Congressional District. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement: 

“The Collective PAC congratulates Ms. Shontel Brown on winning her primary election to represent the Greater Cleveland and Akron communities of Ohio’s 11th Congressional District. As the current Chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the largest Democratic county in the state, Chairwoman Brown made history as the first woman and first Black person to serve in this role. Chairwoman Brown is an experienced community servant and coalition-builder who is committed to advancing the district towards a brighter future and we look forward to helping her win on Election Day.”

 

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. 

 

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 Hala Ayala for Lieutenant Governor. If elected in November, Ayala will become the Commonwealth’s first woman and first Afro-Latina Lieutenant Governor. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement: 

“The Collective PAC is proud to endorse Hala Ayala for Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, Delegate Ayala has delivered on her campaign promises by working to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, expand Medicaid and raise teacher salaries across the Commonwealth. If elected in November, Delegate Ayala will become the first woman and first Afro-Latina to hold this position in the Commonwealth. We are excited to support Delegate Ayala on her mission to improve the lives of all Virginians and look forward to helping her win on Election Day.”

Hala Ayala is a single mother and lifelong Virginian who went from working at a gas station for minimum wage to a successful career as a cybersecurity specialist for the Department of Homeland Security. In 2017, Delegate Ayala beat a four-term Republican incumbent and made history as the first Afro-Latina to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly. The daughter of an immigrant raised in a family that struggled to make ends meet, Delegate Ayala has a deep understanding of the Commonwealth’s history, challenges, opportunities and as the Lieutenant Governor, will continue to push for progress that benefits all Virginians.

 

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.

 

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 former Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty for Erie County Sheriff and Phillip Dabney Jr., for Buffalo City Court in New York. The Collective PAC, in partnership with its affiliated organization Collective Future, launched “The Collective’s Justice For All Initiative” — a program focused on recruiting and supporting Black candidates committed to unapologetically pursuing justice and progressive criminal justice reform. Co-founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement: 

“The Collective PAC is excited to endorse former Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty for Erie County Sheriff and Phillip Dabney Jr., for Buffalo City Court Judge. With over 34 years of experience in law enforcement, which includes serving as the Director of Public Safety at Canisius College and Deputy Police Commissioner for the Buffalo Police Department, Director Beaty has the experience and ability to restore trust and bring accountability to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. If elected in November, Director Beaty would be a history maker as the first woman and Black person elected to the office. 

Judge Dabney with his more than 15 years of legal experience and his dedication to advocacy, justice and equity, will continue to work towards bail reform and address implicit biases within the court system. If elected to office in November, Judge Dabney will become one of two Black male judges currently serving the City of Buffalo. When elected in November, we are confident that Kim Beaty and Phillip Dabney will represent the principles we underscore with our Justice For All Initiative: equity, fairness and justice.”

• Former Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty (Candidate for Erie County Sheriff, NY) is the Director of Public Safety at Canisius College. Before becoming director, Director Beaty served as Deputy Police Commissioner of Operations and Homeland Security for the Buffalo Police Department. Her expertise in community policing and diversity training has led to her training several law enforcement agencies throughout New York State. 

 

• Judge Phillip Dabney Jr. (Candidate for Buffalo City Court) is an established trial practitioner and advocate with more than 15 years of experience in federal and state Courts as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. In 2020 Judge Dabney was appointed to the court by Mayor Byron W. Brown. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Judge Dabney is a proud graduate of Canisius College and the University at Buffalo Law School. 

 

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.