Democratic Party, MSNBC, 100 Black Men of America and Debate Partners Urge Americans to submit potential questions for The Nevada Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate
MIAMI – Sponsors of the Jan. 15th Nevada Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate are asking Nevadans to submit potential questions for the debate to be held at Cashman Center in Las Vegas. All concerned Americans can submit suggested questions at www.januarydebate.com or on the 100 Black Men website at www.100blackmen.org.
The debate, which is co-sponsored by 100 Black Men of America, Inc., the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, IMPACTO, the African American Democratic Leadership Council and the College of Southern Nevada, will include issues important to communities of color and will be telecast live by MSNBC at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday, January 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.
This is a historic occasion, as the communities of color seek clarification and insight from the Democratic candidates as to issues that concern our communities, Bobby L. Hall, President, 100 Black Men of South Florida.
It will be the second presidential debate in Nevada’s history. Nevada, the second state in the nation to hold a presidential caucus and the first in the West to host an early window nominating contest, was chosen as an early state in part to its 40 percent minority population.
“This is an incredible opportunity to question the Democratic presidential candidates in front of a
national audience — submit your questions now to www.januarydebate.com,” said Nevada
Democratic Party Chair Jill Derby. “In a race that is too close to call, the Democratic debate on
Jan. 15th could prove to be one of the most influential of the cycle.”
The debate likely will touch on issues including economic opportunities, education, access to health care, and immigration, though any question can be submitted.
In addition to mentoring, tutoring and funding annual scholarships, the 100 remains diligent in investigating and responding to the education crisis that exists in many of our communities. The alarming rate of drop-outs for black children and the disproportionate number of them being placed in special education classes or classified as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADH (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a key issue the 100 would like to see addressed.
The 100 defines economic development and empowerment as the ability of individuals and communities to have and pursue dreams that result in wealth creation and ultimately perpetuate the establishment of mechanisms that yield generational wealth. Any candidate running for the highest office in our country must believe that every American has a right to the American dream, which starts with jobs that offer respectable compensation and quality benefits, home ownership and access to capital for entrepreneurial ventures. Exporting jobs instead of retraining U.S. workers represents an abdication for a nation by our leadership.
The 100’s Health & Wellness focus involves the whole community and person: physical, emotional/psychological and spiritual and includes education on topics needing more government focus such as: youth violence, domestic violence, and the preponderance of black children who are being diagnosed with behavioral issues. Our initiatives are aligned with three objectives:
• Increase public awareness regarding health issues which disproportionately impact the black community.
• Increase awareness and expand knowledge among black people regarding current research, therapies and practices which have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of illnesses that disproportionately affect black people.
• Helping to shape public policy regarding the local, state and national health policy impacting the black community.
“There are glaring disparities in economic opportunities, education and access to health care that must be addressed by our next American President,” said Albert Dotson, Jr., Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. “Statistics show us and our daily lives remind us that these increasingly critical issues can no longer be ignored by our nation’s leaders. This opportunity and partnership allows us to ask the tough questions affecting our nation to the Democratic Presidential candidates and actively engage our respective communities in the democratic process.”
