those who reside in the high rent districts.”
Greensboro’s Simkins PAC is made up of
prominent African-American business and political leaders who meet privately to make
endorsements, causing some to argue for a more open process.
Yet it is important to note that highly centralized African-American organizations
focused on mobilizing for elections may be a regional phenomenon, most prevalent in the
South in cities with larger numbers of African-Americans. Both the PAC in Greensboro
and the Committee in Durham have existed since before 1965, when the Voting Rights
Act was passed. Thus, at a time when African-American voting increased significantly in
the South, these organizations were in a position to mobilize newly enfranchised voters
and achieve long sought after elected representation for African-Americans in the South.
Based on an example from the Midwest, such as Des Moines, Iowa, the structure
of organizations appears somewhat different. In Des Moines, 10 organizations
representing African-Americans have jointly formed the African-American Leadership
Coalition, but they have “not coalesced under one leader.”
organizations in Des Moines have independently taken action to improve electoral
representation. When Ako Abdul-Samad, a Muslim imam and former Black Panther
Party Member, ran for the Des Moines school board, a local African-American
organization—Sisters on Target—mobilized voters. In Des Moines, the school board
members are elected at-large, so campaigning was necessary throughout the city, which is
8.1 percent African-American. According to the Des Moines Register, “Precincts with
higher minority populations reported roughly double the number of voters than in recent
20
“Where is the leadership from black organizations?” Claudette Whitley. January 30, 2006. The Herald-
Sun.
21
“PAC leaders should explain their policies.” November 18, 200. Greensboro News and Record.
22
“City’s Black Leaders Wield Wide Influence.” Jennifer Jacobs. February 25, 2005. Des Moines Register.
29
Convention