FAQ's

• What Inspired This?

  You. Every Black person in America, every teacher and mother, every domestic worker and immigrant, every factory worker and youth, every father and restaurant worker, every grandparent and union member, inspired this event.

  At M4BL, we’re under no illusion that it’s going to take a lot of hard work and all of us to win at the polls in November. We saw you in the streets, in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other Black people who have been killed at the hands of vigilantes or law enforcement. Millions of people made a clear and distinct call to end police violence, to defund police, and to reinvest those resources into a shared vision of community safety that actually works. Combined with COVID-19 and four years of Trumpism, Black communities are demanding: justice; accountability; a divestment from policing; and an investment in flourishing, sustainable communities. We know how important it is to you that our families have what we need to thrive, that we earn beyond a living wage, and that our children and our children’s children grow up to live long, prosperous lives. The Movement for Black Lives has spent the last six years building a self-determining united front with Black organizations and leaders across the country. Building alternatives is our jam, so we knew we needed to build something special to seek Electoral Justice together. The 2020 Black National Convention is also rooted in Black history. We take inspiration and guidance from the 1972 National Black Political Convention, which taught us the lesson of “unity without conformity” that still resonates today. From our elders and ancestors, we learned it is possible to bring Black people from all political ideologies and backgrounds together to mobilize around a common vision for Black liberation. To honor our ancestors and to lay a path to freedom for future generations, we will build on the history of Black power-building and the righteous anger and momentum in the streets to build a movement that will extend to the November elections and beyond. “National standards mean that there is a baseline of defending Black lives, but we’re not just asking for the floor—we’re asking for the ceiling. To defend Black life means that not one person is killed senselessly by their government or a city official. It is not enough to say we shouldn’t be murdered...murder is already illegal in this country. What we want is for people to say we defend Black life because we want to celebrate you in the living. We intend to continue to advocate for real solutions, to connect those real solutions to local communities, and we will not let up until the budgets of our federal government, our state government, and our city government matches the requirement of what it takes to keep Black people alive in this country.”

  —Jessica Byrd | Co-founder, Electoral Justice Project

• Who is Organizing the Black National Convention?

  The Black National Convention is a production of M4BL’s Electoral Justice Project. EJP seeks to continue a long legacy of social movements fighting for the advancement of the rights of Black folks through electoral strategy. We recognize that voting alone will not change the conditions plaguing Black communities, but we understand that with strategic political actions, we can make immediate interventions as we move toward ensuring that all Black people live full, safe and prosperous lives.

• Who Can Participate in the Black National Convention?

  The Black National Convention is a virtual event that will be streamed for everyone to enjoy, with a program that is tailored to the specific political priorities and cultures of Black people.

• Do I Have to Register to Attend?

  You do not have to register to watch the live stream of the virtual event; however, if you want to stay up to date on information about the BNC program and M4BL’s initiatives, opportunities for collaboration and networking, and details on how to purchase BNC merchandise, please join our email list and text DEFEND to 90975 for text updates.

• How Much Does It Cost to Attend?

  The virtual event is live stream is free and open to the public to watch.

• Is this Virtual Event ADA-Accessible?

  The Black experience, especially Black joy, must be inclusive of people with disabilities. All sessions will include an interpretation team to administer American Sign Language (ASL). Sign language interpreters use their hands, fingers, and facial expressions to translate spoken English into American Sign Language (ASL) and other signed languages. Interpreters may also serve clients who use transliterated Signed English (use of ASL signs, structured in English word order), Tactile interpreting (for individuals who are Deaf-Blind), Oral method (use of silent lip movements to repeat the spoken word so that the client can lip-read), and Cued Speech modes of communication. We strive to have images, videos, and digital media that include alt text and captioning where possible. Vilissa Thompson will be the internal point of contact for anyone with disability questions, as well as the point of contact for attendees with disabilities. If you require ADA-related accommodations for your attendance at this event, please email Vilissa at [email protected] You may also leave a voicemail or text at (202) 524-0722 , and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible so that we may assist you.

• Where Can I Find M4BL On Social Media?

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mvmt4bl/

  Instagram: @mvmnt4blklives

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mvmnt4BlkLives | @mvmnt4blklives

• How Do I Contact You for General Questions or Partnerships?

  Please email [email protected]. You can also text or leave a voicemail at (202) 524-0722.

• Is this Event Open to the Press?

  The Black National Convention is open to the press. Our spokespeople are available to be interviewed upon request. Any members of the press corps who wish to be added to our press list can email [email protected].