There is a long, disturbing history of Black people being undercounted in this country. And many of the same forces that try to suppress the Black vote also work to suppress Black participation in the census. They know that it’s a critical way to ensure our communities get the resources and representation we deserve. But we refuse to let efforts to cheat our communities prevail. We know how important it is to understand why the census matters, and to share that knowledge with everyone in our families and communities. We all have a role to play in ensuring that we all get counted in the 2020 Census when the survey opens for response beginning in mid-March.

It’s going to take a strong movement of local and national organizations, community leaders, influencers and individuals to reduce the risk of a massive undercount in Black communities. Thank you for being a part of this movement. Together, we can build a legacy of economic justice and political power for present and future generations.