48th ALC Daily Digest – Day Two

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Policy Sessions

SESSION 1

Social Determinants of Wealth: How Social Factors Impact Equal Access to the American Dream

This session examined how social factors such as education, employment, housing and internet access influences the health and wellbeing of Black people. Kansas State Representative K.C. Ohaebosim moderated the session, which included panelists Nicol Turner Lee, PhD, senior fellow, Brookings; DeMetris Causer, legal fellow, Black Voters on the Rise; Terri Powell, PhD, Vice Chair of DEIA, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Christopher Cox, chief of staff, U.S. House of Representatives; and Quentin James, founder and president at Collective PAC. Highlights from the session include:

• Panelists discussed how education, employment, housing, and access to technology shape economic opportunities for Black communities. Addressing these systemic barriers is essential for achieving equitable wealth creation. 
• Dr. Nicol Turner Lee emphasized the role of broadband access in bridging wealth gaps. She called for policies that promote digital inclusion and combat the underrepresentation of Black populations in tech-driven economies. 
• Panelists highlighted the need for public-private partnerships to address disparities in housing access and affordability, focusing on solutions to ensure stable living conditions for marginalized communities. 
• DeMetris Causer discussed the importance of legal strategies to protect voting rights and their impact on influencing policies aimed at addressing social determinants of wealth. 
• Christopher Cox addressed how federal and state governments can collaborate to create policies that target employment disparities and improve access to high-paying jobs in Black communities. 
• Quentin James emphasized the role of increased political representation among Black leaders in shaping policies that reduce wealth disparities and promote equity. 

SESSION 2

What Happens to a Dream Deferred: Reimagining an Education Ecosystem that Elevates and Protects Black Brilliance

This session explored education workforce, remote learning, transportation, gun violence, alternative educational models and other factors that impact educational outcomes among Black youth. Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons moderated the session, including panelists Adjoa B. Asamoah, Ed.D., founder and CEO, ABA Consulting; Kevin Mills, manager, Serving Our Children; Andre Samuels, Ed.D., professor, American University; Conserve Donaldson, PhD, professor, George Washington University; and Charles Cole, III, Ed.D., author and consultant. Highlights from the session include:

• Legislators must mobilize and hold all educational institutions accountable, from charter schools and public schools to institutions of higher education. Legislators must also consider how non-traditional educational institutions, including churches and nonprofit organizations in Black communities, step in to fill the gaps. Constituents, particularly Black families, want to know what their elected officials are doing to ensure their children will have the same opportunity as every other child in their community, county and state to earn an education that will help them achieve their American Dream.
• The unintended consequences of Brown vs. Board of Education have fueled America’s current state of education. Data reveal approximately 80% of school teachers are white. As a result, the lack of representation in American classrooms and schools has left an enduring impact on quality of education and educational attainment. When Black students see an educator who looks like them standing in front of them, they feel they belong, are accepted, and in a safe environment in which to learn and thrive. There must be a sense of urgency and a more concerted effort to develop more qualified and committed Black educators for K-12 and higher education.
• Education is a not a Republican or a Democratic issue; it is an American issue. The anticipation of the implementation of Project 2025 is finally sparking policy discussions that should have been going on for much longer. Education policy does not have to originate in the chambers of state legislature nor should it always be reactive. Instead, legislators are encouraged to be proactive and leverage successful efforts such as The C.R.O.W.N. Act to serve as blueprints for creating effective education policy.

SESSION 3

Artificial Intelligence and the American Dream: Leveraging AI to Improve Equity and Opportunity for Black People

This session reviewed some of the ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to promote health, wealth and opportunity for Black people. Mississippi Representative Christopher Bell moderated the session, including Sulay Sandy, partner, AI by McKinsey; Mutale Nkonde, chief executive officer, AI For the People; Dexter Strong, senior consultant, Deloitte; and Regina Davis Moss, PhD, president & CEO, National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda. Highlights from the session include:

• AI can support wealth creation by upskilling employees and aligning their skills with employer expectations. In education, AI’s adaptability can illuminate latent potential, teach new aptitudes and remove barriers like language or math-related challenges. It can also close the digital divide, ensuring access to learning and technology.
• Healthcare remains a leading priority with the debate for AI regulation. AI has the potential to transform healthcare and financial systems. It can improve the delivery of clinical information, enhance disease diagnosis through machine learning, and predict risks of serious health issues using models like those by United Healthcare. Additionally, AI tools like FICO scores help assess creditworthiness but must be free from bias to ensure fair opportunities.
• Policies must focus on inclusive AI design. The panelists argued that those developing AI must possess the right skills and avoid replicating past harmful practices. Algorithms should be seen as active agents of societal impact and evaluated critically for fairness.

SESSION 4

The Right Prescription: How Public Policy Can Promote Equal Access to Healthcare for People with Lower Income

This session will examine how public policy can address social determinants of health amongst Medicaid populations. National Medical Association President Dr. Virginia Caine moderated the session, which included panelists Morgan Reid, senior health policy director, National Kidney Foundation; Jane Horvath, Medicaid consultant; Elisabeth Wright Burak, senior fellow, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families; Catherine Ettman, PhD, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Krystalyn Weaver, PharmD, JD, executive vice president and CEO, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Highlights of the session include:

• Panelists explored how factors such as income, education, and housing directly influence access to healthcare and overall health equity. They emphasized the importance of addressing these disparities through informed policy-making. 
• Elisabeth Wright Burak highlighted the role of Medicaid in supporting early childhood development and maternal health. The discussion included strategies for state legislators to protect and expand Medicaid under the new Presidential Administration. 
• Jane Horvath provided insights on the legislative landscape surrounding prescription drug costs. She shared best practices for addressing affordability, including state-level initiatives and advocacy efforts. 
• Dr. Catherine Ettman discussed the impact of social determinants on population mental health and emphasized policies that reduce disparities and improve access to mental health resources. 
• Morgan Reid shared her personal journey as a kidney transplant recipient and professional insights into organ transplantation. She underscored the importance of integrating patient experiences into policy development to improve equitable access to care. 

SESSION 5

Keeping the Lights On, At Home and Abroad: How Energy Influences Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

This session explored how increasing energy demands from data centers, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing impact Black communities domestically and internationally. Kansas State Representative Barbara Ballard moderated the session, which featured panelists Kendrick Meek, co-chair, Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future; Collete Honorable, executive vice president, Exelon; Neel Brown, managing director, Progressive Policy Institute; Reginald Franklin, energy consultant; and Ralph Cleveland, American Association of Blacks in Energy. Highlights of the session include:

• Panelists explored the increasing energy demands driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and broadband advancements, emphasizing the challenges these demands pose for Black communities in terms of access and affordability. 
• Discussions centered on balancing clean energy innovation with the financial realities of underserved communities. Panelists stressed the need for policies that align environmental goals with affordability and equity. 
• The importance of energy resilience—ensuring reliable and affordable energy access during disruptions—was highlighted as critical for safeguarding the wellbeing of Black communities. 
• Neel Brown discussed how collaborations between governments and private entities can drive energy innovation while ensuring equitable solutions for marginalized populations. 
• Ralph Cleveland emphasized the role of corporate leaders in connecting high-level energy policies with the daily needs of Black families, ensuring practical and impactful solutions. 
• Congressman Kendrick Meek shared insights from his experience in public policy, identifying promising legislative measures to advance energy equity and sustainability. 
• Colette Honorable advised state legislators on strategies for modernizing energy grids and deploying clean energy, emphasizing collaboration, regulatory oversight, and community engagement. 
• Reginald Franklin highlighted the role of technology in improving operational efficiency while expanding energy equity in underserved areas, advocating for innovative approaches to address systemic disparities. 

SESSION 6

Fighting for What We Have Earned: Leveraging Litigation and Public Policy to Secure Equal Opportunities for Economic Prosperity

This session reviewed some of the ways in which public policy can be used to promote equal access to financial security for Black communities. Moderated by NBCSL President-elect Tennessee State Representative Harold Love, Jr., panelists included Ben Chavis, D.Min., president and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association; Lezli Baskerville, CEO, NAFEO; and PJ Haynie, owner, Haynie Farms. Highlights from the session include:

• There are 5,000 acres of farmland in Pline Bluff, Arkansas, and 3,000 acres is owned by black farmers.
• Only one Black owned rice mill in the United States is owned by PJ Haynie.
• The Philadelphia Tribune is one of the oldest Black owned media outlets at 140 years old.
• HBCUs and predominantly Black institutions of higher education are responsible for generating Black wealth in America. Together they produce 50% of Black educators and 60% of public health professionals, and they have the largest participation of active alumni at more than 7 million.

Check back tomorrow for additional highlights of NBCSL’s 48th Annual Legislative Conference.