Last week, senior White House officials convened a meeting with leaders from legacy Black civil rights organizations. During the meeting, the officials highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s continued efforts to advance justice and equity for the Black community and all Americans amid a groundswell of harmful attacks on the progress that has been made. They discussed efforts to combat hate-fueled violence, promote inclusion and their shared commitment to advancing legislation to protect voting rights and address other critical issues facing our democracy. Administration Officials provided a progress update on equitable implementation of the President’s Investing in America agenda.
 
The civil rights leaders shared their recommendations to further advance racial equity, provided an update on their work to protect voting rights, and shared ideas to address the risks of artificial intelligence, and strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the public and private sectors.

Meeting participants included:

Civil Rights Leaders

• Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO, National Council of Negro Women
• Melanie Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law                
• Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People             
• Marc Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
• Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund
• Reverend Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network
• Maya Wiley, President and CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

White House

• Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
• Mayor Stephen Benjamin, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
• Tom Perez, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Jenny Yang, Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, Domestic Policy Council
• Tyeesha Dixon, Deputy Counsel to the President
• Erica Songer, Deputy Assistant to the President, Counsel to the Vice President
• Erin Wilson, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President
• Amber Greene, Special Assistant to the President for Racial and Economic Justice, Domestic Policy Council
• Andrea O’Neal, Senior Policy Advisor for Racial and Economic Justice, Domestic Policy Council
• Feven Solomon, Senior Advisor for African American Engagement, Office of Public Engagement

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