In Wilmington, Faith Leaders and Community Rally for African Diaspora Heritage Month

September 4, 2024

On September 4, 2024, Wilmington, Delaware, bore witness to a significant gathering as community leaders and members of the African diaspora came together at Mother African Union Church. The event marked the observance of African Diaspora Heritage Month and highlighted the ongoing International Decade for People of African Descent. The forum, hosted by Delaware Faith In Action, was one of a series of public events aimed at raising awareness about the progress and conditions of People of African Descent in Delaware, particularly as the state approached the 2024 elections.

Delaware Faith In Action, a network formed in 2014 as a coalition of various religious and civil rights organizations, had long been dedicated to addressing and investigating issues of discrimination in government agencies. Over the years, the network had focused on advancing equitable practices in government, industry, academia, and community-based organizations. The forum served as a platform for discussing these issues and ensuring that the voices of the African diaspora were heard as Delaware prepared for its critical fall elections.

Alicia Clark, the Founder of Delaware Faith In Action Network, emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections. “This election represents a critical moment, not only for the nation but for the state of Delaware,” Clark stated. “Delaware is known as the First State, and the upcoming elections represent an opportunity for several important ‘firsts’ that could change the face of Delaware politics.” The forum highlighted key races, including those for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Lt. Governor, County Executive, and Mayor of Wilmington, among others.

The forum also addressed the persistent socio-economic challenges faced by Black communities in Delaware. Despite efforts to position Wilmington as a world-class city and Delaware as a prime retirement destination, Clark noted that “far too many families and youth are being left behind, disproportionately those of African descent.” The event served as a reminder that structural and organizational inequities still needed to be publicly identified and addressed.

As part of the discussions, participants reviewed the progress made since the release of several critical reports, including the 2016 Ivy Report on racism in state government, the 2022 Delaware Disparities Impact Study, the 2023 City of Wilmington Procurement Disparity Study, and various reparations studies. These documents had been instrumental in shaping the ongoing dialogue about racial inequities in the state.

In 2023, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and his colleagues had introduced a bill authorizing the formal designation of African Diaspora Heritage Month. The bill recognized the significant contributions of the African diaspora to the growth and prosperity of the United States, a theme that resonated throughout the forum.

Stacey Henry shared a troubling experience that underscored the challenges voters of African descent still faced. On August 29, 2024, she accompanied her 83-year-old mother to the PAL Center to vote. However, they were informed that her mother was not registered, despite having voted in every election she could recall. After a lengthy process of trying to resolve the issue, they were told that her party affiliation had been changed to “No Party,” despite her lifelong Democratic affiliation.

Henry recounted the frustration and emotional toll this situation took on her mother. “She was very upset; she was determined not to leave until the problem was fixed.” Despite their best efforts, the issue was not resolved, and they were told to return in November to vote. The incident, which affected others at the same polling location, was traced back to a glitch at the DMV following a recent license renewal. As of today, Henry’s mother still had not been able to vote in the primary.

Alicia Clark echoed these concerns, using the forum to spotlight the irregularities and challenges that many in the community were facing at the polls. “We use today as an opportunity to lift up concerns that we’re hearing from the community about irregularities and challenges,” Clark stated. The consistency of these issues, particularly at the PAL Center, highlighted the need for greater scrutiny and action to protect the voting rights of African Americans in Delaware.