Powerful Black Business Owners and Executives Push Black Economic Agenda

Heavyweights from the world of black business, politics, and corporate America are teaming up to make sure blacks in America get a piece of the economic pie.

Black Economic Alliance, a political action group made up of black business and civic leaders that launched last month, announced today the advisory board that will direct the group’s efforts for this year’s mid-term elections and beyond.

“The promise of America is that regardless of where you’re from or the challenges you were born into, if you work hard you can achieve your dreams. But far too many people in the black community continue to be disproportionately disadvantaged by economic policies that don’t take into account our unique needs and potential,” says Essence magazine co-founder Ed Lewis.

“By shining a light on these issues and elevating elected leaders who are committed to making change, we can build a different, better future for black Americans for generations to come.”

The 22 members of the inaugural, non-partisan advisory board are:

Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Caretha Coleman, a Silicon Valley trailblazer who formerly consulted for early-stage ventures
Ed Lewis, co-founder of Essence magazine
Chris Lyons, partner at Andreessen Horowitz, who manages its Cultural Leadership Fund
Dick Parsons, the former chairman and CEO of Time Warner who was just named interim chairman of CBS
Sheila Marcelo, the Filipino-American founder, chairman and CEO of Care.com
Troy Carter, co-founder and managing partner of Cross Culture Ventures, who just stepped down from his daily role at Spotify
Morgan DeBaun, co-founder and CEO of Blavity
Kneeland Youngblood, co-founder of private equity firm Pharos Capital Group L.L.C., a former BE 100s company
Bennie Wiley, a talent management consultant and the former president and CEO of The Partnership Inc.
Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee
Ron Kirk, former mayor of Dallas and U.S. Trade Representative under President Barack Obama
Jennifer Granholm, former Governor of Michigan
Susan Rice, former National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Steve Schmidt, Republican communications and public affairs strategist
William Cohen, Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton
Robert E. Rubin, Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton
Bakari Sellers, former South Carolina legislator and political analyst
Carol Sutton Lewis, attorney; Founder, Ground Control Parenting
Robert Raben, Democratic strategist
Heather McGhee, former president of progressive think tank Demos
Spencer Overton, policy expert

“Hardworking Americans power our economy, but they need the opportunity to learn 21st-century economy skills to keep up with the rapidly changing world that we live in,” said Harris in a statement. “I’m pleased to work with the Black Economic Alliance to promote policies that will help develop our workforce, ensure that each American can contribute to and benefit from the economy, and create meaningful change that helps black families access the opportunities they deserve.”

The mission of the Black Economic Alliance, according to its website, is threefold:

Advance an economic policy agenda focused on improving economic outcomes in three core areas: work, wages, and wealth
Support candidates for office who are aligned with that agenda by providing endorsements and funding key elections
Hold government officials across the political spectrum accountable to that agenda

“As treasury secretary, I saw firsthand the direct impact that smart policy can have on people’s lives,” Rubin said in a statement, “and I know if we have an economy that works for everyone, including our black communities, America will thrive.”

“We need to address the issues which hold both black families and our broader economy back,” Rubin continued. “Policies like increased funding for vocational and technical training, eliminating pay discrimination, and increasing access to loans for small businesses will help every American to have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.”

The Alliance has already raised millions and endorsed 14 candidates running for Congress or governor who will “be champions for advancing progress in the economic sphere in the black community,” according to Executive Director Akunna Cook.