Iowa
Caucuses« Press Releases on the Iowa Brown
& Black Forum
...chronological order with the most
recent first; related release below
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON 2016 REPUBLICAN FORUM
The
Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum announced today that the
Forum for Republican presidential candidates to be held
on December 3,
2015, has been canceled due to unresolved scheduling
conflicts. As a
non-partisan organization, the Iowa Brown & Black Presidential
Forum looks forward to the possibility of working with the Republican
party in the future. The Forum for Democratic candidates will take
place on January 11, 2016, in Des Moines as scheduled, with broadcast
media partner FUSION.
Iowa Democratic Party
November 20, 2015
IDP Statement on Cancellation of Republican
Iowa Brown and Black Forum
DES MOINES—Iowa Democratic Party Chair Dr. Andy McGuire today
released the following statement in response to the cancellation of the
Republican Brown and Black Forum, which had been scheduled for December
3rd in Des Moines.
“It is disappointing that Republican voters in Iowa will be unable
to see their candidates talk about issues important to minority
communities. Iowa Democrats are proud to continue our long tradition of
participating in the historic Brown and Black Forum. We believe that
Iowa is stronger when all of our families can access the ladders of
opportunity, and we look forward to hearing our candidates address the
challenges that African Americans and Latinos face in Iowa and across
the nation.”
The Democrats’ Brown and Black Forum will be held on January 11th at
Drake
University,
and
will be broadcast by Fusion.
July 6, 2015
Iowa Political
Parties Announce Details for 2016 Iowa Brown & Black Forums
DES MOINES – The Iowa
Brown and Black Forum, the nation’s oldest minority focused
presidential forum,
will return in 2015-16 with a specific forums for Republican and
Democratic
presidential candidates, the Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican
Party of
Iowa jointly announced today.
Brown and Black Forum
co-founders Mary Campos and Wayne Ford made the announcement today at a
press
conference alongside honorary Forum co-chairs Governor Terry Branstad,
Congressman Dave Loebsack, RPI Chairman Jeff Kaufmann and IDP Chair Dr.
Andy
McGuire.
The Brown and Black Forum
for Republican presidential candidates will be held on December 3 at
Sheslow
Auditorium at Drake University. The Brown and Black Forum for
Democratic
presidential candidates will be held on January 11 in Des Moines.
"The Iowa Democratic Party is excited
to have
our presidential candidates take part once again in the Brown &
Black
Forum,” said IDP Chair Dr. Andy
McGuire. “Democrats have always been
committed to inclusion, and issues facing minority communities--namely
creating
jobs, expanding educational opportunities and social justice--will be
front and
center during the 2016 presidential campaign. The Brown & Black
Forum is a
fantastic opportunity for our candidates to talk about these important
issues
and highlight how we can come together to address these challenges. We
look
forward to an impactful discussion." “We’re honored to be participating in
the Brown and
Black Forum, which will continue a critical dialogue here and across
the
nation,” said RPI Chair Jeff
Kaufmann. "Wayne and I often
disagreed during our time in the legislature, but we both realize how
incredibly
important this institution is for Iowa, these communities, and our
presidential
nomination process.” “Throughout our state's great history,
we have been
on the forefront of fighting for greater civil rights,” said
Congressman Dave Loebsack. “We have long strived for equality, whether
it is based on race, gender or sexual orientation. The Iowa Brown
and
Black Presidential Forums provide an arena to elevate these issues and
foster
critical discussion. These events are something that all Iowans
can take
pride in. I look forward to working with Mary Campos, Wayne Ford, Gov.
Branstad, Dr. McGuire and Mr. Kaufmann on this historic event.”
“The Brown and Black Forum has been
highlighting issues of importance to
minority communities for 30 years, and I’m pleased to be part of the
announcement that, for the first time, the Republican Party of Iowa is
joining
the Democratic Party in hosting their own forum,” Governor Branstad
said. "It’s as important as ever that we continue being welcome and
inclusive to individuals of all backgrounds, and treat everyone with
respect
and dignity."
The Brown and Black Forum
is the nation’s only presidential forum in which all candidates have
the
opportunity to answer essential concerns of Latinos and
African-Americans. This non-partisan event has figured
prominently in the Iowa caucuses.
The Brown and Black Forum is
recognized as the oldest continuous minority forum for presidential
candidates
in America and one of the longest-running presidential forums in the
nation. Founded
in 1984, this groundbreaking event has brought many Presidential
candidates,
including President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John
Edwards,
John Kerry, Al Gore, George McGovern, Walter Mondale, and John Glenn,
to Iowa.
###
For Immediate Release
July 2, 2015
IOWA BROWN AND BLACK PRESIDENTIAL FORUM TO UNVEIL FULL AGENDA FOR
2015-2016 EVENTS
The Iowa State Capitol Hosts Forum’s
Co-Founders and Co-Chairs on July 6
What: A press conference
with Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum Co-Founders
and Co-Chair Mary Campos and former Iowa State Representative Wayne
Ford, with the esteemed honorary Forum co-chairs (listed below), will
announce important
details for the 2016 Presidential forums, including locations and
dates. The
event will allow the Co-Chairs and media to discuss the history,
platform, and the
impact of the upcoming Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum events
on the
2016 election.
Who: Mary Campos -
Co-Founder & Co-Chair
Wayne
Ford
-
Co-Founder
&
Co-Chair
Hon. Terry
Branstad, Governor of Iowa - Honorary Co-Chair
Hon.
David
Loebsack,
US.
Congressman
-
Honorary
Co-Chair
Dr.
Andy
McGuire
-
Iowa
Democratic
Chair
-
Honorary
Co-Chair
Jeff
Kaufmann
-
Iowa
Republican
Chair
-
Honorary
Co-Chair
Where: Iowa State
Capitol first floor rotunda
1007
East
Grand
Avenue
Des
Moines,
Iowa
50319
When: Monday, July
6, 2015
Time: 1:00 PM
About The Iowa Brown &
Black Presidential Forum
The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential
Forum is an element of Urban
Dreams’ non-partisan Project V.O.T.E. (Voting Opportunities Through
Education).
It is the nation’s only presidential forum in which all candidates have
the
opportunity to answer essential concerns of Latinos and
African-Americans. This
non-partisan event has figured prominently in the Iowa caucuses. It is
recognized as the oldest continuous minority forum for presidential
candidates
in America and one of the longest-running presidential forums in the
nation. Founded
in 1984, this groundbreaking event has brought many Presidential
candidates,
including President Barack Obama,
Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Edwards, John Kerry, Al Gore, George
McGovern,
Walter Mondale, and John Glenn, to Iowa.
The Iowa Democratic Brown & Black Presidential Forum Announces
January 2016 Event
Nation’s Oldest
Minority-Focused Presidential Forum To Bring Democrat Candidates To Des
Moines, IA
March 12, 2015 – Des Moines, Iowa – This year marks the 50th
anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, the 50th anniversary
of the Voting Rights Act, and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation
Proclamation. As Republicans and Democrats continue forging forward to
the 2016 election, Iowa will be a key battle ground for candidates in
the upcoming election, especially hot button issues facing minorities
such as incarceration rates, juvenile justice, immigration reform,
economic disparities, and voter’s rights.
Today, the Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum announced its
return to Iowa in January, 2016. Founded in 1984 by Forum Co-Chairs
Mary Campos and Former Iowa State Representative Wayne Ford, the Forum
is the nation’s oldest minority-focused event for presidential
candidates, which brings Democratic candidates to Iowa to discuss
issues of significance to minorities.
Since it’s inception, the groundbreaking event, now one of the oldest
presidential forums in America, has brought Presidential candidates;
including current President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden,
John Edwards, John Kerry, Al Gore, George McGovern, Walter Mondale, and
John Glenn, to Iowa, which is one of the most sought after states
during Presidential Elections. In addition, the Forum has been attended
by President Clinton, Bill Russell, Cornel West, and others. Moderators
have included Soledad O’Brien, Tavis Smiley, Lester Holt, Ray Suarez,
and Michele Norris. It was CSPAN’s first “Road to the White House”
event in 1984. Telecasters and broadcasters have included MSNBC, Sirius
Satellite Radio, HDNet, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Mediacom,
Telemundo, and Iowa Public Television. The Forum was the first of its
kind, paving the way as a platform for Presidential candidates to share
their plans specifically affecting minorities across the nation. This
will be the 7th Forum since it began in 1984. Details will be
forthcoming regarding the specific date and location.
“Nuestra voz es
Nuestro voto”— “Our voice is our vote,” said Co-Chair Campos. “We need
to reach out to those who are not registered. Advocate to all voters to
exercise the right to vote. We must continue to register all eligible
voters.”
“I am so excited about the upcoming Forum. This reminds me of the 1905
Niagra Movement, which was a forerunner of the NAACP,” said Co-Chair
Ford. “Similar to the small city of Niagra, New York, the city of Des
Moines, Iowa, will have a significant effect on the political process
and minorities across the nation.”
About The Iowa Brown & Black
Presidential Forum
The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum is an element of Urban
Dreams’ non-partisan Project V.O.T.E. (Voting Opportunities Through
Education). It is the nation’s only presidential forum in which all
candidates have the opportunity to answer essential concerns of
African-Americans and Latinos. The non-partisan event began in 1984 and
has figured prominently in the Iowa caucuses. It is recognized as the
oldest continuous minority forum for presidential candidates in America
and one of the longest-running presidential forums in the nation.
For Press Inquiries:
Brianne Pins
brianne@cashmereagency.com
U.S.
Conference
of Mayors January 8, 2016
The Nation's Mayors To Bring Urban Agenda To
Iowa
WASHINGTON,
Jan. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
The nation's mayors will bring their urban agenda – The 2016 Compact for a Better America: A Call to Action
– to Des
Moines,
Iowa for The Brown & Black
Presidential Forum on Monday, January 11, 2016.
The
Compact calls on the Presidential candidates and
Congress to INVEST in and PROTECT America's cities and metro areas (www.usmayors.org).
Under the leadership of USCM President
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake,
a bipartisan group of mayors from cities large and small will attend
the Brown & Black Presidential Forum to stress to Presidential
Candidates how important city/metropolitan issues are to the country
and a growing number of Americans.
With more than 85% of people in the
United
States
living in our nation's cities and metro areas, mayors clearly
understand how urban issues impact everyday Americans and are calling
on candidates to focus on these issues. Mayors are convinced that
despite their geographic location, cities large and small across over
the country are plagued by the same challenges including access to
healthcare, job creation, affordable housing, immigration, crime and
illegal guns, failing public schools and climate protection.
Billed
as the oldest Forum addressing minority issues, The Iowa Brown
&
Black Presidential Forum is an element of Urban Dreams'
non-partisan
Project V.O.T.E. (Voting Opportunities Through Education). It is
the nation's only presidential forum in which all
candidates have the
opportunity to answer essential concerns of African-Americans and
Latinos. The non-partisan event began in 1984 and has figured
prominently in the Iowa caucuses. It is recognized as the oldest
continuous minority forum for presidential candidates in
America and
one of the longest-running presidential forums in the
nation. For
questions related to the Brown & Black Forum, please contact
Brianne Pins: Brianne@CashmereAgency.com.
"The issues of Des
Moines and of cities around Iowa
are the same issues that face mayors around the country each and every
day. We support The Brown & Black Forum in its mission to present
to the next President of the
United
States the challenges and opportunities
before us and we believe it is critical that mayors participate," said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO & Executive
Director.
WHO: Baltimore, MD Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, USCM President
Columbia,
SC Mayor Steven
Benjamin, USCM Trustee Des
Moines,
IA Mayor Frank
Cownie, USCM Trustee Santa
Fe,
NM Mayor Javier
Gonzales, USCM Member Tom Cochran,
USCM
CEO & Executive Director
WHAT: PRESS
CONFERENCE – MAYORS WILL REACT TO CANDIDATES AND SPEAK TO URBAN ISSUES
IMPACTING AMERICA'S CITIES + Attend The Brown & Black Forum
WHEN: Monday, January
11, 2016 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CST (Prior to Brown & Black
Forum)
WHERE:Drake
University | Turner Jazz Center (directly behind the Sheslow
Auditorium) | 2507 University Ave, Des
Moines,
IA 50311
The
U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of
cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such
cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the
Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on
Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.
-->
The
U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of
cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such
cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the
Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on
Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.
-->
About The United States Conference of
Mayors --The
U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of
cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such
cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the
Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on
Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or
follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.
