Institute of the Black World’s Post-Election Town Hall Meeting

On Thursday, Nov. 5, two days after one of the most consequential elections in the history of the U.S., the Institute of the Black World 21^st Century (IBW), will convene a virtual Town Hall Meeting to assess the impact of the election on Black America and the Pan-African World.

The Town Hall (from 7-9 pm EST) will be hosted by Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark, NJ and will bring together leaders from Black America’s major civil rights, human rights, faith and activist organizations.

“IBW has chosen to consistently assemble in Newark, New Jersey and I am always more than delighted to host this critical, virtual town hall meeting,” said Mayor Baraka.  “All of this year’s challenges have impacted our community like never before and there is too much at stake for all of us during this time. Now more than ever, we must work together on progressive policies that are community focused, driven by data and that explicitly aim to advance equality. We are extremely thankful for the partnership and look forward to working together to advance our collective goals.”

This gathering is in keeping with the tradition of IBW convening Town Hall Meetings every four years after presidential elections. These gatherings offer African American leaders an opportunity to share perspectives on the significance of the presidential elections on the interests and aspirations of Black people in the U.S. and the Pan African World.  The Town Hall meetings are typically the first major event of State of the Black World Conferences, which IBW convenes every four years. But because of the COVID pandemic, the Conference is being postponed, but the Town Hall will be convened as a virtual event.

Dr. Ron Daniels, President of IBW said, “while we are postponing State of the Black World Conference V until after it can safely be convened as an in-person event, the unprecedented nature of this presidential election dictated that IBW provide a venue for Black leaders to share their analysis of what the outcome of the election will mean for the future of Black people in this country and around the world”

Danny Glover, Actor, Humanitarian and UN Ambassador for the Decade of People of African Descent, who is a Special Guest and Respondent for the Town Hall Meeting, offered his view on the importance of this moment in history: “The impact of this  election will be felt for years to come all over the world. It’s important that we give thought to how we organize to devise policies that will eradicate all the vestiges of Trumpism while also advocating for progressive change.”

The Town Hall Meeting will be Co-Moderated by Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Black America’s leading political economist, newspaper columnist and President Emeritus, Bennett College for Women and Rev. Mark Thompson, social and political activist and Host/Producer, Make it Plain Podcast.

“It is only fitting that a major conversation of this nature be hosted in Newark by the Honorable Ras J. Baraka, one of the most progressive mayors in the U.S. The nation, Black America and the Pan African world will be eager to hear his thoughts on the way forward,” Dr. Daniels concluded.

The Nov. 5 Town Hall Meeting will be broadcast from 7-9 pm EST on IBW’s Web and social media platforms as well as on the platforms of IBW’s media partners:

• Web: ibw21.org
• YouTube: @ibw21st
• Facebook: @ibw21st
• Twitter: @ibw21st
• Instagram: @ibw21st
• Cable: Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), New York, NY (Spectrum: 1997, RCN: 84, FIOS: 35)
• Radio: WPFW, 89.3 FM (Pacifica Radio) Washington, DC
• Radio: WBAI, 99.5 FM (Pacifica Radio), New York, NY
• Web: The Real News Network (TRNN), Baltimore, MD