PROGRAM SUCCESS – MAY 2010
PAGE 19
The First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce
Responsible Advocacy at the Forefront
for African Americans
The First Coast African American Chamber of
Commerce is committed to progressive action
on behalf of both the African American
community and the community at large. At
our Annual Heritage Breakfast we presented
the “10 Points of Advocacy.” On the surface,
these ten points represent important issues to
African Americans throughout our region; at a
deeper level that impact the entire region for
decades to come. We obtained these points
through interactions with small business
owners, members, individual citizens, and
larger agencies over a three year period. The
goal of the “Ten Points” is to assist decision
makers in addressing the issues that are
important to the groups that we represent.
Often when we hear “Chamber” we assume
that all are equal, they are not. Our chamber
focuses on Activity, Outreach, and Advocacy.
There are different forms of advocacy and to
be clear we deploy advocacy on behalf of the
African American community by raising
credible issues, such as our 10 Points of
Dr. Carlton Lamar Robinson
Advocacy, that may assist policy-makers in
arriving at better decisions regarding our subgroup
President - FCAACC
and the community at-large throughout the election
cycles. There are rules regarding 501c3 organizations such as ours listed below:
What advocacy activities are allowed?
We are allowed to educate the public about issues that are important to us and we are permitted to
discuss the issues important to us with legislators and other government officials. Voter education,
voter registration and get out the vote drives are permitted as long as they are conducted in a
nonpartisan manner. As an organization, we are also allowed to lobby to a small degree.
What activities are not allowed?
As a 501(c)3 organization, we are strictly prohibited from supporting or opposing any candidate
for elected office, even in nonpartisan or uncontested races. In addition, the following activities are
prohibited: distributing materials that encourage voting for a particular candidate; criticizing or
supporting a candidate; placing signs on property supporting a specific candidate; or giving
preferential treatment to certain candidates like allowing them to speak at our functions or use our
resources.
What does this mean?
During a time of economic uncertainty African American Chambers can be more than networking
entities. We can raise issues that are important to our communities. Even better, we can have an
impact that last for decades. With this approach the “10 Points” should be integrated into your
decision-making process as you prepare your votes. How will your candidate address one or any
of these ten points?
Network with us on
Thursday, June 17, 2010 as
we move forward to address
“Point #3” and unveil a new
treasure in our community.
Location: Visit Jacksonville,
208 Laura St, Jacksonville,
FL 32202, Time: 6-8p.
The Ten Points of Advocacy
1. What is the true unemployment rate of
African Americans and why? (As high as
30% when you factor in small businesses
and sole proprietors who can not obtain
work in our region and are
ineligible for unemployment benefits )
2. What is the impact of tourism on the
Northeast Florida African American
community?
3. What is the Business Participation Rate
for African Americans in Northeast
Florida (Less than 50 businesses generated
for every 1000 African Americans in the
population)
4. What impact does the African American
small business community have on
unemployment?
5. How does the Community Reinvestment
Act impact the minority communities in
Northeast Florida?
6. Which organizations are near or above
their supplier diversity targets?
7. Who will analyze and discuss the
financial impacts for the African American
community? (Using projections from fiscal
capacity analysis to estimate the impact of
policy and community changes on local
government finances. )
8. What is the energy per capita in urban
Northeast Florida? (Some residents and
business owners spend as much as 40% of
their net income on energy usage)
9. Who will conduct population studies in
our region specific to African Americans?
10. Who will analyze the potential impact
of the most recent capital improvements
program on behalf of the African
American community? And, what is the
list of the planned capital improvements
over the next 6 years, including cost and
timing of each item that may impact the
African American community?
Location:
9016 Lem Turner Road, Jacksonville,FL 32208
904-652-1500