National Coalition for Equality Equity & Justice
Black American Freedmen are considered as standing in the shoes of their ancestors who were forced to work as chattel slaves in the country that came to be known as the United States of America. This forced labor helped to create the foundation of American industry and forged the USA into the wealthiest country in the world. To date, Black Freedmen have not been compensated or recognized for their 400 years of free, cheap, underpaid labor and their rich cultural contributions.
We Are A Reparationist Collective and Community
Through our unique combination of research, advocacy, programs, and a national network of community-based Affiliate organizations across the country, we simultaneously challenge the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Black American Freedmen in the United States across a range of key issues:
CIVIL RIGHTS & RACIAL EQUITY
NCEEJ is working to eradicate racism, bring about impactful changes in policy and legislation, and boost ownership of sustainable resources and goods with the accompanying mission of having the ability to determine how Freedmen use those resources.
EDUCATION
We advocate for access to qualitative and equitable education for Freedmen from early childhood through college, vocational training and beyond.
HEALTH
We work to tear down structural barriers in the healthcare system that prevent Black American Freedmen from being their healthiest.
HOUSING & FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
Good and equitable housing policy will result in security and stability for Black American Freedmen. Our goal is to dismantle racist systems built into American programs and policies that unfairly place Freedmen at risk of being rent burdened or homeless.
VOTING & POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT
Like the revolutionary Black Panthers, our ideology is to secure physical, economic and social freedom for Black American Freedmen. One of our functions is to awaken Freedmen and teach them the practical and political strategies needed to resist and dismantle racist power structures.
BLACK-WHITE WEALTH GAP & REPARATIONS
There is a part of the “I Have A Dream” speech that no one seems to remember, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared: “It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’” Freedmen are owed a multitude of DEBTS, reparations is not a handout.
EMPLOYMENT
Black American Freedmen have historically faced more hurdles to get a job, never mind a good one, than their white counterparts. Black Freedmen have been intentionally locked out of the labor force through violence, false imprisonment, negative propaganda and employment discrimination. We advocate for removing those obstacles and ending racism in the workplace.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The criminal justice system is one of the clearest examples of structural racism in the U.S. Black American Freedmen adults are five times more likely to be imprisoned than white Americans due to racist policing. Black Freedmen are twice as likely as their white counterparts to have a family member imprisoned at some point during their childhood. Nearly half the people on death row are Native Black Americans. We seek to end the targeted snatching of Black bodies for U.S profit.
Key Facts:
Black American Freedmen built, established, and have a special and unique relationship with the country’s history and economy.
$1.6 Trillion
Buying power rose to $1.6 Trillion in 2020
2016 Federal Reserve revealed the median wealth of a Black family has a net worth of approximately $17, 600, while the median net worth of white family is $170,000. Read Federal Reserve report here
Black households—who account for 13.4 percent of the U.S. population—held just 4 percent ($4.6 trillion) of total household wealth. The Black-white wealth gap left Black households more vulnerable. Read report here
Cost Of Racism: U.S. Economy Lost $16 Trillion Because Of Discrimination report by Citigroup Bank. Read article here
WATCH
Explore Our Videos
Network
Our Affiliates
Our Affiliates are community-based organizations that directly serve the Native Black American/U.S. Freedman population across the country. They know the practical concerns and policy issues that affect their constituencies and are engaged in implementing innovative solutions
GET INVOLVED
Join the movement
Become part of our action network and help us continue to forge a society that provides equal opportunity to all.