July 22nd 2023.
Nicarra Campbell-Wallace, former political director of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, is launching a new and ambitious endeavour. The Rolling Sea Fund, as it has been dubbed, is a nod to the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, and will focus on increasing Black voter engagement, flipping the House majority in favor of the Democrats, and electing the first Black Speaker of the House.
Speaking to NBC News, Campbell-Wallace expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “We know that Black voters are the cornerstone of the Democratic Party and of protecting American democracy,” she said. “This will be something where we have an always-on effort to empower and mobilize Black voters and make sure that we are reflecting the diversity and amazingness of America. We recognize as Democrats that we can do more and support Black voters who have been the cornerstone of our democracy, have turned out in record numbers overwhelmingly.”
The PAC's initial funding of ten million dollars will be put to use in states where the average Black voter engagement is around 8%. This allows them to focus on the battles they deem most important, as opposed to spreading their resources too thin.
Recent numbers have shown a decline in confidence in the Democratic Party among Black people. In 2009, 76% of Black voters polled by NBC News had a favorable view of the Democrats, but by April 2023, that number had fallen to 61%. These figures, coupled with the lack of progress by the Biden administration on issues that are of particular importance to Black constituents, have highlighted the need for the PAC's mission.
As former executive director of the CBC, Kevin Harris, told the New York Times, “It’s a difficult conversation to go back into those communities and explain why we didn’t get criminal justice reform. It’s a difficult conversation to go into those communities and talk about why we didn’t get the protections that we need with voting rights.”
If the Rolling Sea Fund succeeds, it may just make these conversations a lot less difficult for Democrats. The group is expected to make a significant impact in increasing diversity within the party, and getting Hakeem Jeffries seated as Speaker of the House. It is clear that Black voters are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and this new organization aims to ensure that their needs and concerns are given priority.
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