Dr. Lenora Fulani's National Action Network Goal: Nonpartisan Elections in NYC -- It's a Start!

CNN's coverage of last week's National Action Network conference included interviews with Dr. Lenora Fulani and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. Dr. Fulani is campaigning for a referendum in NYC for nonpartisan elections that would allow the one million independents to vote in the first round of voting (primaries) in city elections. NYC is one of the few major cities in the country that conducts partisan elections at the municipal level. Partisan elections in NYC exclude significant segments of people of color (20%) and youth (40%).

Dr. Lezli Baskerville, President and CEO, NAFEO - America's Black Colleges and Universities said the network of campuses would provide 500,000 students for nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts and that more campuses will make their facilities available to young people for after-school activities, including recreation. h/t to the Field Negro for this, although both the FN and the Root left out the "nonpartisan" part...

Dr. Fulani and Dr. Baskerville had both spoken on Thursday's Education panel about the "achievement gap" in education. You can see video of Fulani's statement here where she says that the achievement gap has been studied to death.

The issue isn't more achievement, it's more development.... both politically and educationally. Something all people need to attend to.
- NH