Washington, D.C. -August 10, 2005 – A group of African American Republican activists, and their supporters from around the country, will announce the formation of a national grassroots organization August 15, 2005 at 1:00 pm (EST) in the nation’s capital. The announcement will be held at the law offices of Troutman Sanders LLC, 401 Ninth Street, NW Suite 1000, Washington, D.C.
“The creation of the National Black Republican Association is the product of the dreams and efforts of scores of black Republicans across the nation,” said interim Chairperson Frances Rice, co-founder of a black Republican group in Sarasota, Florida. “Black grassroots activists have always been involved locally and nationally within the Republican Party, but there was always agreement that we needed a national organization to represent the interests of Republicans in the black community. We also needed an organization that will effectively counter the disinformation concerning Republicans being perpetuated by the Democratic Party.”
The mission of the National Black Republican Association (NBRA) is to be a resource for the black community on Republican ideals and to support the principles of the Republican Party. The NBRA aims to increase the number of black Americans who vote for Republicans, and are active in the Republican Party, by providing information, networking opportunities and resources for black Republicans nationwide.
The National Black Republican Federation, the NBRA’s affiliated Section 527 organization, will identify prospective black Republican candidates for elected office and provide those candidates with financial and grassroots assistance.
"These are exciting times for black Republicans,” said Donald Scoggins Interim Co-Chairman and president of a black Republican group in Virginia. “One important aim of the NBRA is to empower the people, by championing opportunity scholarships for black children and helping black Americans move into our Ownership Society. With the help of our supporters, the NBRA will change the political landscape, for the sake of our future generations."
WHO: National Black Republican Association
WHAT: Inaugural Planning Meeting and Press Announcement
WHERE: Troutman Sanders L.L.C., 401 Ninth Street NW, Suite 1000
WHEN: August 15, 2005
TIME: 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Interim Board of Directors
NBRA Advisory Board Members:
Chairman, Frances Rice – Florida
The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell
1ST Vice Chairman, Donald E. Scoggins - Virginia
The Honorable Jennifer Carroll
2nd Vice Chairman, Andre Cadogan - Florida
The Honorable Sherman T. Parker
3rd Vice Chairman, Bill Calhoun - Texas
Mr. Gladstone “Tony” Cooper
Secretary, Dana R. Roberts - Florida
Bishop Keith Butler
Treasurer, R. Peter Rice - Florida
Mr. John Colon
Communications Director, Christopher Arps - Missouri
Ms. Gloria Jackson
General Counsel, Ashley Taylor - Virginia
Mrs. Virginia Walden-Ford
Chaplain, The Reverend Doctor Eric Wallace - Illinois
Member, Deborah Burstion-Donbraye - Ohio
Member, Sidney F. Dinerstein - Florida
Member, Leondray Gholston - Colorado
Member, Eddie Huff - Oklahoma
http://www.nbra.info/press_release_2.htmThere is a VERY flattering picture of Ms. Rice (any kin to Condosleeza?) on the chairman's page. Looks nothing like the woman on C-Span this morning, maybe a college photo?