Jimmy Williams
Vice President Kamala Harris announced a groundbreaking “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men” on Monday as part of her campaign’s comprehensive strategy to engage Black voters. The agenda focuses on providing Black men with essential resources for financial independence, lower costs of living, and protections for their rights, empowering them to lead in their communities and achieve long-term success.
The plan stems from Harris’ personal career experience and insights gained during her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour. It includes initiatives such as:
Forgivable Loans for Black Entrepreneurs: Harris aims to provide 1 million fully forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to Black entrepreneurs and others, particularly in underserved communities, to help them start and expand businesses. These loans will be administered through a partnership between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and mission-driven lenders, marking a significant effort to overcome barriers to capital for Black business owners.
“We must ensure that Black men in America don’t just get by, but get ahead,” Harris said. “That means breaking down barriers to capital and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs who have the ideas but lack the resources.”
Education and Workforce Development: Harris’ agenda also emphasizes pathways to high-paying jobs through education, apprenticeships, and credentialing programs. The vice president plans to partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other community institutions to boost Black male participation in teaching professions and expand leadership mentorship programs like My Brother’s Keeper.
She highlighted the importance of Black male teachers, saying, “Students do better when they have teachers who look like them. It’s time we invest in recruiting and retaining more Black men in education.”
Health Equity Initiative: Recognizing the disproportionate health challenges faced by Black men, such as diabetes and prostate cancer, Harris’ initiative includes a National Health Equity Initiative. This will focus on expanding preventive healthcare access and capping prescription drug costs, including $35 insulin caps, to address rising healthcare expenses.
Regulatory Framework for Cryptocurrency: In response to increasing interest from Black men in cryptocurrency, Harris plans to establish a regulatory framework to ensure Black investors are protected in the digital asset market. With over 20% of Black Americans owning cryptocurrency, the vice president is keen to safeguard this emerging investment space.
Legalizing Recreational Marijuana: Harris also pledged to work toward legalizing recreational marijuana nationwide, with a focus on ensuring that Black men, historically over-policed for marijuana offenses, have access to jobs and wealth-building opportunities in this industry.
In a pointed contrast with former President Donald Trump, Harris added, “While Trump threatens federal prosecutions for marijuana use, we will break down these unjust legal barriers and ensure equity in this growing market.”
Harris’ campaign co-chair, Rep. Cedric Richmond, underscored the agenda’s importance, stating, “This is about equipping Black men to succeed. Donald Trump has spent his career tearing Black men down. This agenda is about building them up.”
As part of a wider effort to engage Black male voters, the Harris-Walz campaign will kick off “Black Men Huddle Up” events across battleground states. These events will bring Black men together to discuss the election’s importance and the future of their communities.
The Harris-Walz campaign is also hosting “Economic Freedom Talks” and continuing their Shop Talk series to rally support for Harris’ plan, with a focus on Black business owners and leaders.
With Election Day fast approaching, Harris’ Opportunity Agenda seeks to energize Black men and build momentum around her campaign’s promises for economic empowerment, education, and health equity.