As the country turns 250, the America we see today looks very different from the one so many in the Black community fought and sacrificed for to secure long-overdue progress. Key voting and civil rights are being dismantled, community investments are at risk, and we’re seeing economic progress slide backward. Programs and institutions created to fix historic wrongs—such as civil rights protections and equity initiatives—are being challenged as no longer necessary or even inherently discriminatory. Celebrating 250 years of American democracy amid this retrenchment raises a tough question: Who is this democracy really for?
At the same time, we cannot just look at what’s been lost; the work of building up our communities hasn’t stopped. Black ingenuity, organization, and political power have always found a way to survive, no matter the obstacles. So, as we look back on 250 years, this conversation should focus on looking ahead. What do we need to do now to restore and achieve progress for Black communities for the next 250?
We can meet these challenges with a vision that acknowledges the current struggles while focusing on what we can build next. We must create new economic opportunities that help Black communities do more than just survive; we must help them thrive. We must protect Black economic and political power to move America closer to a true multiracial democracy, finding ways to rebuild and innovate, even when things feel chaotic. The success of the next 250 years depends on the choices we make today.
Please join the National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF), the Center for American Progress, and the Aspen Institute on Martha’s Vineyard for a conversation about these issues and how we can work toward a better future.
This event is made possible with the generous support of the Omidyar Network.