CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

Washington, D.C. — African-American, women and Hispanic leaders organizing with the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) will meet with community and student leaders at Florida Memorial College March 28-29 to address the affects the One Florida Plan will have on communities of color and women in the Sunshine State. Americans For Fair Chance, a national coalition to save affirmative action, will release an analysis of the One Florida Plan and discuss next steps for Florida.

“I am excited by CPA’s efforts to help young people speak out in Florida as we move forward to protect the rights of all Floridians for the future,” said State Representative and CPA Board Member Tony Hill.

The campus meetings will continue local attempts to unite diverse parts of the Miami community to save affirmative action and discuss the next steps in preserving the economic educational health of the state. Spokespersons and students from these communities will participate in these events. Texas State Representative Dawnna Dukes‘ keynote speech will address the role students can have in the political process and discuss lessons learned from similar efforts in Texas.

The two-day event begins Tuesday March 28th by bringing students and community leaders together to strengthen the town and gown alliance. “Our goal is to capture the energy students have about attempts to end affirmative action and channel their positive enthusiasm into community resources that can use their help,” says Darold Johnson, Director of CPA’s African-American Leaders Program. Improving access to health care for undeserved communities and the importance of the Census will also be addressed. This is CPA’s third African-American Leaders program meeting of the year and the first in Florida. CPA’s goal at each college or university is to empower students by providing them with information on issues they deem important and linking them with local organizations to help move ideas to action.

CPA is a national, nonpartisan public policy and leadership development center working across the 50 states to realize progressive solutions for America’s future. CPA’s Policy Leaders Forums help elected officials coordinate policy on a regional basis and connect with community leaders while honoring their leadership skills and exploring new and innovative approaches to critical policy issues. For more information about CPA or the events at Florida Memorial, please contact Kristina Wilfore at (202) 387-6030 or refer to www.stateaction.org.

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