Adjoa Asamoah, a political consultant who leads advocacy for the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Coalition, will be a panelist at the annual Kansas Black Legislative Day to be held at the Kansas Capitol on Thurs., Feb. 13.
The full-day, annual legislative advocacy day includes a variety of workshops and panels on legislation and policies that directly impact Black people in Kansas.
Kansas Black Legislative Day
A educational and advocacy day at the capitol for African-Americans across the state.
When: Thurs., Feb. 13, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Kansas Capitol, Topeka
What to expect: A day of education workshops, dynamic panels, and chances to visit with state elected officials about issues of importance to our community.
How much: Registration is $15 for adults and $10 for students and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception. Register online at MYVOICETIX.com.
A growing number of states and municipalities have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on natural or protective hairstyles. Kansas is among a number of states that have proposed similar legislation, and a growing group of African-American civil rights and social organizations are backing the bill.
Asamoah, an impact strategist and developer of grassroots stakeholders’ coalitions, will share with KBLD attendees strategies that have worked to secure the support needed to pass CROWN bills in other areas across the country.
Other big topics to be discussed at KBLD include:
• Payday Loan Reform
• Foster Care Reform
• Worker’s Rights
• Health Care Reforms – Medicaid expansion & Infant mortality
• Workers’ Rights
• African-American Literacy
• Marijuana Reform and insuring African-American involvement in legal retail
• Criminal Justice Reform.
“There are an awful lot of issues being considered during this session or coming down the pike that African Americans need to be aware of and get involved with,” said Kenya Cox, executive director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission.
KAAAC co-sponsors Kansas Black Legislative Day with the Kansas Black Leadership Council and the seven-member Kansas Black Legislative Caucus.
The caucus begins with registration and continental breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m. The morning schedule includes breakout workshops, and an opportunity to see the Kansas House in session. The CROWN panel will be during lunch, which is also included with registration. The afternoon session includes several panels, including one on criminal justice and marijuana reform. The day concludes with a VIP reception sponsored by the AFL-CIO.
Registration is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Register online @ myvoicetix.com.
“This is an important day for African Americans in Kansas,” said Bonita Gooch, president of the Kansas Black Leadership Council. “It’s important that we grow our understanding of the issues and take our knowledge back to our communities. Our presence is also important because it shows we care, we’re aware, and don’t take us for granted.”