What We Do
Our Priorities.
As a coalition that works on behalf of Black constituents across the state, our UBA member organizations look forward to collaborating with legislators, partners, policymakers, and communities to advance economic, social and political opportunities.
ECONOMIC
Eliminating the racial wealth gap and building a state where Black residents thrive.
New Jersey is at its best when Black communities enjoy full political participation, representation, and access to economic security and opportunities. Our vision is to provide a shared space for organizations to promote the welfare of Black New Jerseyans. In addition, we must address the State’s history of discrimination, while ending the marginalization and subjugation of our people. We call on State legislators to elevate the Black Vote and to deliver on their campaign promises.
SOCIAL
Repairing past and current harms to communities of color, and protecting Black lives.
Black New Jerseyans deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and they should be valued as much as White New Jerseyans.The State’s social infrastructure must be designed to lift people out of poverty and help them thrive. To do so, state and local systems must be held accountable. We must address the historic disinvestment in communities of color that has led to New Jersey leading the nation in Black-White racial disparities across multiple systems. All of New Jersey is better when Black communities enjoy full political participation and representation to ensure widespread economic security and opportunity.
POLITICAL
Remove barriers to democracy ensuring full participation
Black constituents must have unfettered access to our democracy. For communities of color, it is imperative to remove all barriers while promoting the leadership of Black and Brown people in legislative, judicial, and other prominent roles. With a near majority of people of color, New Jersey’s leadership must reflect that of its constituents. Barriers to participation in our democracy, especially those that disproportionately impact Black communities, must be eliminated. A true democracy depends on the full participation of its members.
Our Results
The accomplishments of our work include, but are not limited to:
$45M
in state funds for First-Generation Homeowners programs
Reform
Reform of the Attorney General’s Use of Force directive
Police
Increased use of body cameras by police officers
Voting
Establishment of early voting days, online registration of voters and 83,000 new voters added to voting rolls
$45M
in state funds for First-Generation Homeowners programs
COVID-19
Tracking of racial data related to the COVID-19 pandemic
Cannabis
Development of the Cannabis Commission, advocacy around decriminalization, including social equity excise tax requiring 70% of cannabis sales tax to be invested back into impacted communities
Training
Continued push for implicit bias training for health care professionals
Black Caucus
Improved relations with the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus
$750M
investment in eviction relief
Racism
Launch of the racism as a health crisis initiative
Grassroots
Engagement via town halls, listening sessions, and podcasts