ICYMI One-Trick Pony BY: Leo Smith Many believe that the efforts of the Republican Party to win the hearts and minds of black Americans are built solely on events headlined by celebrities, politicians, and athletes. While it is easier to pack a room when Stacey Dash, Herman Cain, or T.W. Shannon come to town, the catalyst of growth for the black conservative movement in America is much deeper. Leading up to the May 20th Primary, I had a unique opportunity to showcase the efforts of the Georgia Republican Partys Minority Engagement Initiative to my counterparts in Washington D.C. Trailed by a reporter from the Associated Press, we embarked on a series of roundtable discussions with clergy, small business owners, activists, and black conservative advisory council members to discuss growth and opportunity and catalog the explosion of conservatism in the black community. Our day began at Mount Zion 1st Baptist Church in Smyrna. Founded in 1877, Mt. Zion is home to some of Cobb Countys oldest black American residents. Lead by former Cobb Ministerial Alliance President John Hearst, Mt. Zion church understands the importance of political awareness, involvement, and engagement. For Pastor Hearst, an unapologetic Christian conservative, theres no difference in the values of the Republican Party and what he teaches and preaches every Sunday morning. Later in the evening, we gathered at Superior Eatz - a black owned restaurant in the historic Auburn Avenue section of downtown Atlanta - to discuss economic development and job creation. The meeting began with a tour of the newly opened facility and a personal story from the owner about her transition from construction worker to the catering and hospitality industry. According to the owner, the Republican-backed tax incentive programs that lead to the construction of her restaurant made living the American Dream possible. The next stop was a planning session for an HBCU-centered, black conservative conference in the fall. After Morehouse College added a Republican Club on campus, the word spread to HBCUs around the country that its ok to be a black Republican. To leverage that excitement for the good of the movement, we are working with Morehouse College alumnus, Harold Booker, Morehouse College Republicans Chairman Michael Roundtree, and former Fulton County GOP Executive Director and COO of Engaged Futures Claire Barlett to host a Black Conservative Leadership Conference in Atlanta in fall of 2014. The black conservative movement is sweeping through HBCUs across the country and the Georgia Republican Party wants to be instrumental in providing the framework and resources necessary to ensure success. We ended the day with a Black Engagement Advisory Board meeting at the Georgia Republican Party Headquarters. Joined by GAGOP Chairman John Padgett, the Board - which includes RNC National Black Advisory appointee Camilla Moore - reviewed the new Walk App, which harnesses top notch technology to assist grassroots activists in their get out the vote efforts. Our team not only has the right message but also has the appropriate technology to reach, engage, and involve black conservatives throughout Georgia. From faith to empowerment, technology to leadership, the Georgia Minority Engagement initiative revolves around giving black Georgians the tools they need to grow, thrive, and prosper; politically and economically. While black-tie galas and celebrity speakers are nice, they merely create a following thats a mile wide and an inch deep. Our goal at the Georgia Republican Party is to set in motion a movement that outlasts us. To do that, we must continue to be a Party thats multi-faceted, dynamic, and malleable. We must always desire to be more than just a one-trick pony.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:02:29 +0000