Latest news with #BlackConservativeFederation
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Black conservative leaders aim to build the next generation in Washington
Seeking to harness what it sees as the momentum of the 2024 presidential election, the Black Conservative Federation is launching a two-day summit in Washington, D.C., next month aimed at bringing together Black conservatives and cultivating the next generation of leaders. The inaugural Black Conservative Federation Solution Summit will be held July 11-12, bringing together elected officials, influencers, policy experts and strategists for what organizers hope will be a series of "bold, solution-driven conversations" on the most urgent issues facing Black America today. "In this spirit of forward momentum during the Trump Administration, we are investing in the next generation of Black leaders who will define the future of our communities, our culture, and our country," Diante Johnson, the group's president and founder, said in a statement to ABC News. MORE: Leavitt can not say if Trump will mark Juneteenth Johnson previously served as the Trump campaign's North Carolina regional field director in 2016 and was a member of the Black Voices for Trump Advisory Board during the 2020 campaign. The summit comes after President Donald Trump made modest gains with Black voters nationwide in 2024, especially among young Black men, a key demographic for Democrats, according to the Associated Press. Black voters made up about 1 in 10 voters nationally in the last 2024 presidential election. Although roughly 8 in 10 Black voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris, that marked a dip from the roughly 9 in 10 who backed President Joe Biden just four years earlier. Trump, meanwhile, nearly doubled his support from 2020 among Black men under the age of 45 -- with about 3 in 10 backing him in 2024, compared to just 1 in 10 in 2020. The summit will focus on six key topics: artificial intelligence and its role in shaping the future; criminal justice reform and policy transformation; cryptocurrency and Black economic empowerment; strengthening the Black family; navigating modern cultural debates; and Gen Z's influence in politics and media. While several members of the Black Conservative Federation have gone on to work in the Trump administration and the broader conservative movement, organizers say the event is about more than short-term wins. It is designed to foster long-term talent and leadership development across the country, they say. "We are not only honoring the legacy of freedom, we're building on it. By mentoring emerging voices and expanding access to civic engagement, we're carrying the torch of progress with purpose," Johnson said. Among the featured speakers at the summit are Lynne Patton, deputy assistant to the president and director of minority outreach at the White House; Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas; Anne Marie Wiley, former cast member of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"; Alex Smith, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury Department; and Janiyah Thomas, former Black media director for the Trump campaign. The Trump "pardon czar" Alice Johnson will also be speaking to the group as will Death Row Records founder Michael Harris. Several high-profile Black conservative influencers are also slated to participate, including CJ Pearson, Xavier DuRousseau and members of The Carter Family, who stream videos on YouTube. MORE: Trump faces mounting pressure at home and abroad as he weighs options on Iran The Black Conservative Federation was initially founded as a political networking group for Black conservatives but has since expanded its mission to focus on diversifying the conservative movement and promoting conservative principles. The group emphasizes its work in political advocacy, outreach and civic engagement. Trump addressed the group during a Black History Month event in 2024, signaling a rise in the group's visibility within MAGA-era Republican circles. Its leadership includes Rep. Byron Donalds, who serves as chairman, and former NFL player Jack Brewer, the organization's current co-chairman.
20-06-2025
- Politics
How Black conservative leaders aim to build the next generation in Washington
Seeking to harness what it sees as the momentum of the 2024 presidential election, the Black Conservative Federation is launching a two-day summit in Washington, D.C., next month aimed at bringing together Black conservatives and cultivating the next generation of leaders. The inaugural Black Conservative Federation Solution Summit will be held July 11-12, bringing together elected officials, influencers, policy experts and strategists for what organizers hope will be a series of "bold, solution-driven conversations" on the most urgent issues facing Black America today. "In this spirit of forward momentum during the Trump Administration, we are investing in the next generation of Black leaders who will define the future of our communities, our culture, and our country," Diante Johnson, the group's president and founder, said in a statement to ABC News. Johnson previously served as the Trump campaign's North Carolina regional field director in 2016 and was a member of the Black Voices for Trump Advisory Board during the 2020 campaign. The summit comes after President Donald Trump made modest gains with Black voters nationwide in 2024, especially among young Black men, a key demographic for Democrats, according to the Associated Press. Black voters made up about 1 in 10 voters nationally in the last 2024 presidential election. Although roughly 8 in 10 Black voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris, that marked a dip from the roughly 9 in 10 who backed President Joe Biden just four years earlier. Trump, meanwhile, nearly doubled his support from 2020 among Black men under the age of 45 -- with about 3 in 10 backing him in 2024, compared to just 1 in 10 in 2020. The summit will focus on six key topics: artificial intelligence and its role in shaping the future; criminal justice reform and policy transformation; cryptocurrency and Black economic empowerment; strengthening the Black family; navigating modern cultural debates; and Gen Z's influence in politics and media. While several members of the Black Conservative Federation have gone on to work in the Trump administration and the broader conservative movement, organizers say the event is about more than short-term wins. It is designed to foster long-term talent and leadership development across the country, they say. "We are not only honoring the legacy of freedom, we're building on it. By mentoring emerging voices and expanding access to civic engagement, we're carrying the torch of progress with purpose," Johnson said. Among the featured speakers at the summit are Lynne Patton, deputy assistant to the president and director of minority outreach at the White House; Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas; Anne Marie Wiley, former cast member of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"; Alex Smith, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury Department; and Janiyah Thomas, former Black media director for the Trump campaign. The Trump "pardon czar" Alice Johnson will also be speaking to the group as will Death Row Records founder Michael Harris. Several high-profile Black conservative influencers are also slated to participate, including CJ Pearson, Xavier DuRousseau and members of The Carter Family, who stream videos on YouTube. The Black Conservative Federation was initially founded as a political networking group for Black conservatives but has since expanded its mission to focus on diversifying the conservative movement and promoting conservative principles. The group emphasizes its work in political advocacy, outreach and civic engagement. Trump addressed the group during a Black History Month event in 2024, signaling a rise in the group's visibility within MAGA-era Republican circles. Its leadership includes Rep. Byron Donalds, who serves as chairman, and former NFL player Jack Brewer, the organization's current co-chairman.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds gets recognition from FAMU interim President Beard
As U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has kept quiet on running for governor of Florida, his close ally U.S. President Donald Trump says he would fully endorse him if he enters the 2026 race. Amid the ascendancy of both Donalds and "The Donald" so far this year, Florida A&M University recently acknowledged the Naples Republican in its own way. FAMU's interim President Timothy Beard presented Donalds, 46, with the 2025 FAMU Impact Award last month at the Black Conservative Federation's Legacy of Freedom Ball in Washington, D.C. 'They say at FAMU, you can get anywhere from here, and this young man is well on his way – that's Congressman Byron Donalds,' Beard said at the event. 'Mr. Donalds is changing the world.' The Black Conservative Foundation is a national network of Republican activists who work toward expanding the Black conservative movement, and the January event was meant to commemorate the 60th presidential inauguration while also honoring Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance after their victory in the election. While presenting a plaque to Donalds – a member of the federation's Board of Directors – Beard, who is a registered Republican, said the award reads: 'In honor of your service to FAMU, the state of Florida and the nation; you are indeed a shining example of the impact of the Rattler nation.' "I am proud to be a (FAMU) Rattler," Donalds commented in a Jan. 25 Instagram post about the award. "We are changing Florida for the better. We are changing the nation for the better. And our job's not done yet." Donalds, a Brooklyn, New York native, was enrolled at FAMU from 1996 to 1999 but did not graduate. He instead transferred to Florida State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in finance and marketing in 2002. After graduating, he worked at TIB Bank, CMG Life Services and Moran Wealth in Naples, where he currently resides with wife Erika Donalds – an FSU alumnus – and their three children. Donalds' possible bid to become the state's next governor comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis is unable to run for the position again since he is term-limited in January 2027. While the latest poll from the University of North Florida's Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) shows that Casey DeSantis – Florida's First Lady – came out on top of a list of potential gubernatorial candidates, a different poll shared by Trump Monday from Victory Insights shows Donalds as the clear leader in a potential race. Other potential candidates for the 2026 race include Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. More: Will a DeSantis run again? Poll favors Florida governor's wife, Trump may favor this candidate Donalds has been representing Florida's 19th Congressional District since 2021, including much of Southwest Florida. Prior to the role, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016. With ties to FAMU, Donalds is listed on the university's Government Relations website as one of its 'Rattlers in Office.' Beard said in a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat Friday that he presented Donalds with the award last month to also "recognize his service as a congressman and his connection to FAMU as a former student and lifelong supporter." "We look forward to continuing to engage with all members of our Rattlers in Congress," Beard said. Tarah Jean is a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can reached at tjean@ and follow her on X: @tarahjean_. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU interim President Timothy Beard awards congressman Byron Donalds
