Vice President Kamala Harris has released a slate of policy proposals geared toward Black men. The plan, which Harris’ campaign is calling an “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” comes as she seeks to shore up support from Black voters with early voting underway. It also comes amid discussion, fueled in part by former President Barack Obama, about Harris’ support among Black men.
Harris made direct inroads with black men in the lead-up to the 2020 campaign that appeared to be fruitful, and the Democratic presidential nominee’s latest proposal seems designed to double down on those efforts. Her proposal, unveiled Monday includes:
Economic Support:
- Offers one million forgivable loans up to $20,000 for Black entrepreneurs to support business startups and expansions.
- Expands the Small Business Startup Tax Deduction from $5,000 to $50,000.
- Partnerships with community banks, mission-driven lenders, and the Small Business Administration to improve access to capital for Black-owned businesses.
Education and Workforce Training:
- Emphasizes mentorship and training programs in high-demand fields like renewable energy, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
- Aims to increase the number of Black male teachers by enhancing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, encouraging more to join the teaching workforce.
- Plans to remove degree requirements for 500,000 federal jobs, making these positions more accessible to those without a college degree.
Criminal Justice Reform:
- Supports federal marijuana legalization, aiming to address the disproportionate impact of drug policies on Black men and ensure their participation in the cannabis industry.
- Focuses on removing legal barriers that hinder opportunities for Black men, including those related to past marijuana-related convictions.
Support for Digital Assets:
- Plans to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets, recognizing that over 20% of Black Americans have invested in cryptocurrencies.
- Plans to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets, recognizing that over 20% of Black Americans have invested in cryptocurrencies.
Harris’s plan is designed to enhance economic and social opportunities for Black men and aims to address the barriers they face, especially in light of the upcoming election.
