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 Congresswoman Val Demings for the United States Senate in Florida. Co-founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is thrilled to endorse Congresswoman Val Demings from Florida for the United States Senate, marking our second Senate endorsement of the 2021-2022 election cycle. Electing a Black woman to the U.S. Senate this cycle is a top organizational priority and we are proud to stand with Val Demings — a dedicated public servant who has spent her career on the front lines improving communities and protecting Floridians. There has never been a more crucial time for us to elect leaders who are committed to criminal justice reform, safeguarding voting rights and ensuring government officials are held accountable for unethical behavior. Congresswoman Demings is the changemaker that the U.S. Senate needs to meet the moment and move progressive policies forward. In 2016, Val Demings was one of the first five candidates The Collective PAC supported in her bid for Congress and we’re proud to stand by her as she takes the next step in her long career of public service. We look forward to helping Congresswoman Val Demings make history as the first Black person and only second woman to serve as a U.S. Senator from Florida.”

Congresswoman Val Demings has dedicated her entire career to the service of others. First as a social worker and then as a police officer in the Orlando Police Department. Congresswoman Demings served over 27 years on the force and became the first woman to serve as Chief of the Orlando Police Department. Under her leadership violent crime fell by 40%. During that same time, Congresswoman Demings founded a youth mentoring program designed to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and youth in the community. In 2016, Val Demings was one of the founding endorsements from The Collective PAC and she was elected to represent Florida’s 10th congressional district. In Congress, Demings sits on the Committee of Homeland Security, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Judiciary Committee. Congresswoman Demings maintains deep ties to the community as a member of Saint Mark A.M.E. Chuch, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, NAACP and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). 

 

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, announced a $100,000 campaign contribution in support of Fort Worth, Texas mayoral candidate Deborah Peoples, bringing their total investment to $150,000. The Collective PAC’s Co-founders, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“Deborah Peoples is a trusted leader with a proven record of delivering for the people of Fort Worth, Texas, and The Collective PAC is proud to double down on our support of her campaign.  Electing Deborah remains a top organizational priority and we’re committed to doing everything in our power to help her become the first Black woman mayor of Fort Worth.  Deborah’s wealth of knowledge and thirty years of experience in the public and private sectors make her the ideal leader to tackle ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts, boost equitable economic opportunities across the city and increase access to affordable health care. We’re hopeful that our contribution in this runoff election will play a critical role in amplifying Deborah’s message of progress for the city and we look forward to helping her make history on June 5th.” 

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Deborah Peoples has thirty years of experience working in both the public and private sectors. In addition to leading critical voter registration and civic engagement efforts during the 2020 election cycle as Chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, Deborah has also worked for the City of Fort Worth and spent time as an executive at AT&T. As mayor, she will prioritize combating disparities in education, health care, and economic opportunity by ensuring equitable distribution of city services. If elected, Deborah is poised to become the first Black woman to serve as Mayor of Fort Worth, TX, the 13th largest city in the United States.

 

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, DC – 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 announced its endorsement of four municipal and statewide candidates in races in Pennsylvania. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“Through our Justice For All Initiative, The Collective PAC is committed to supporting justice champions committed to reforming our legal system. We are proud to endorse four candidates in Pennsylvania who are ready to build on their impressive records as community and judicial leaders that can bring their experiences to the bench as judges. Lori Dumas, Amanda Green-Hawkins, Maraleen Shields and Greg Yorgey-Girdy are committed to playing an active role in shaping the future of justice across Pennsylvania. The Collective PAC’s mission to build Black political power starts at the local level by supporting experienced leadership dedicated to ensuring justice and equity for all. We hold the utmost confidence that these four candidates will empower their communities and continue the work necessary to accomplish this goal. 

• Lori Dumas (Candidate for Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania) is a trusted leader who has served on the bench for over 18 years. She is a valued and impactful voice in the City of Philadelphia where she serves as a Common Pleas Court Judge in the Philadelphia Family Court – Juvenile Division. In this position, Lori has fought for fair and equal justice for the city’s most vulnerable children and families. Judge Dumas has also established herself as an innovative leader, creating the first Judicial District’s Juvenile Human Trafficking Court, which provided services to youth victims of commercial exploitation. 

 

• Amanda Green-Hawkins (Candidate for Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania) has been elected twice to the Allegheny County Council and has over 20 years of experience as an attorney. During her time with the county council, Amanda served as chair of the Economic Development Committee and passed legislation that installed protections prohibiting discrimination against people because of their gender identity or gender expression. This piece of legislation made Allegheny County only the third county in the Commonwealth to have such protections. 

 

• Maraleen Shields (Candidate for Lehigh Court of Common Pleas) has 18 years of experience as an attorney and currently works at Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C., handling wide ranging litigation matters within the medical field. An active member of the Lehigh Valley community, Maraleen serves on the Board of Directors of the Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and was awarded their President’s Award in 2018.

 

• Greg Yorgey-Girdy (Candidate for Philadelphia Municipal Court) is an experienced attorney with nearly two decades of law experience in Philadelphia focused on litigation, conflicts and compliance. Greg has long been a fierce advocate for historically underrepresented communities and in 2020, served as the lead organizer for the Philly Queer March for Black Lives. If elected, Greg would make history as the first Black and openly gay man elected to this position. 

 

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.