May 15th 2024.
The Republican Party has recently welcomed some new members, and they are Black women. In a recent episode of The Hill's podcast series, The Switch Up, hosted by Cheyanne M. Daniels, a group of Black women representing the GOP came together to discuss their experiences as Black women in a predominantly white male-dominated space.
Two of the podcast guests were Kimberly Klacik and Roxy Ndebumadu. Ndebumadu, who started her career in the tech industry, spoke about her mentor, Fred Humphries, and how he encouraged her to run for office after she expressed her frustration with the lack of diversity in the tech world. At first, Ndebumadu was hesitant, but after some encouragement from Humphries, she decided to throw her hat in the ring. "He said, 'Maybe you should run for office.' And I said, 'Fred, have you met me? What is going on here? No!'" Ndebumadu shared with Daniels. However, she respected Humphries and ultimately decided to give it a try. "I looked into running for elected office, and it was only 45 days before the city council election. I thought to myself, 'Why not? If I don't tell my story, who will? If I don't represent my people, who will?'" Ndebumadu said.
In 2019, Ndebumadu ran for and won the position of Bowie District 4 Councilmember in Maryland, making her the youngest and first African-American woman to serve in that role. This is a significant milestone, as Black women have been making strides in politics since Shirley Chisholm's historic election to Congress in 1968. However, most of these women have aligned themselves with the Democratic party. But the new generation of Black women in the GOP are hoping to bring change and diversity to the party. "Many women are the leaders in our own households, so it would be a no-brainer for us to also be involved in the political arena," said Kimberly Klacik, a Maryland GOP hopeful. She added, "Although it is still a male-dominated world, I believe that having more women at the table discussing issues that are important to us is crucial."
In February 2024, Klacik, a conservative radio talk show host and strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, announced her second campaign for Congress. She is eyeing the seat to represent the 2nd Congressional District, which was vacated by Democratic Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, according to WYPR. Although the district is primarily made up of blue supporters, including a majority of Baltimore and Carroll Counties and a portion of Baltimore City, Klacik feels up for the challenge. "I'm no stranger to a challenge," she confidently stated. "I believe we can win this."
Described by Daniels as "unicorns," most Black women in politics align with Democratic values. However, for Ndebumadu, it is the Republican party that reflects her upbringing. "When I reflect on how I grew up as a Black woman, as a first-generation American, and as the daughter of Nigerian immigrant parents, I remember the values that were instilled in me," Ndebumadu shared. "These values included the importance of family, not depending on the government for everything, prioritizing education, and overcoming any circumstances. That is how I was raised, and those are the values that align with the Republican party."
Ndebumadu acknowledges that the values she mentioned align with the Republican party's values, not necessarily the party's current state. "The Republican party today looks a little different," she said. "But if we look back at its inception and premise, it is what the party was founded on." The GOP has been struggling to recruit Black supporters, as many have been turned off by anti-Black rhetoric, such as the elimination of Black history courses and former President Trump's statements equating his legal troubles with the Black experience. However, Ndebumadu believes that actions speak louder than words. "You can't say that you are a party for the people if you are not willing to walk the walk," she stated. "Until the broader party is ready to do that, the messaging will not matter."
Ndebumadu added, "As an elected official, I have learned that people resonate with what they can feel and see. If they cannot feel it, it does not exist, and words mean nothing." She believes that actions that directly impact people's lives in the moment are what truly matter. "If they cannot feel it, it does not matter what you say," she concluded.
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