Nearly half of the very wide field of Democratic presidential candidates was slated to take part in the 2020 election season’s first event taking aim at the most coveted of voting demographics: women of color. So it wasn’t surprising in the least that the proper location for the “She the People Presidential Forum,” taking place Wednesday afternoon, should be a historically Black college.
Texas Southern University was hosting eight White House hopefuls at what was being billed as “the first-ever Presidential candidate forum focused on women of color.” The forum was set to begin at 1 p.m. local time or 2 p.m. EDT.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, California Sen. Kamala Harris, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren were all confirmed for the event. They also happen to be some of the most outspoken candidates on topics that resonate deeply with voters of color, such as voter suppression, the racial wealth equality gap and reparations.
“Women of color are the most progressive voters in the country,” Aimee Allison, president of She the People, told Houston Public Media recently. “And we’re interested in a whole wide range of social, economic and racial justice issues, and so we’ll be exploring those with the candidates.”
As a Democratic voting bloc, Black women were key to helping Hillary Clinton win the popular vote in 2016. However, the party has failed to be forceful on issues that matter to the Black community, such as criminal justice reform, education and health care, according to New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.
“Black women have long been on the forefront of change and progress in this country. Sadly, we are so often left on the sidelines of critical discussions and policymaking that disparately impacts us and the communities we support,” Coleman told the Post.
Candidates in the “She the People Presidential Forum” probably had that in mind when signing on to participate.
To watch the “She the People Presidential Forum” live online, viewers can stream the event via She The People’s official Facebook page by clicking here, or you can watch below.
The anticipation across social media was at a fever pitch ahead of the forum. Scroll down to see some scenes and tweets about the “She the People Presidential Forum” at Texas Southern University.
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#SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/Umk0I34tE3
— Cate Carrejo (@CampaignCate) April 24, 2019
2.
"As POTUS I will appoint Supreme Court justices and nominate justices all across the board who will represent the needs of people of color, of working people, and who are prepared to believe and fight for for justice, not just the people on top" #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/EXcQZE0QHc
— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) April 24, 2019
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"When we are talking about justice we are also talking about the massive levels of racial disparity in this county.. White families have 10x the wealth of Black families." @BernieSanders #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/QjxD3X5BfB
— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) April 24, 2019
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In a discussion about raising the minimum wage to $15, @BetoORourke says he wants to go farther, endorses ratification of the #ERA. #ShethePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/0kZwrBRYe0
— Shots in arms. Money in pockets. (@gdigitalzsmooth) April 24, 2019
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As the marijuana industry continues to grow, there are people of color sitting behind bars for doing the exact same thing. It's time we changed the system. #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/7KotnCqihx
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 24, 2019
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While answering a question on the higher Black maternal mortality rates, @EWarren discusses how regardless of the mother's income or education, a lot of the issues that arise come down to prejudice.
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) April 24, 2019
She then discusses her plan on how to address it. #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/in7PJbMfgp
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When Bernie just said to the women at #SheThePeople2020 that he was "at the March on Washington with Dr. King"
— Brother Nyght (@wondermann5) April 24, 2019
They booed & groan
https://t.co/UMLVh0391S
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After @JoyAnnReid asked about why she decided to travel to the Mississippi Delta despite it not being a swing state, @EWarren talks about her housing proposal. #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/Uv4VHIvwPL
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) April 24, 2019
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Getting Ready for #SheThePeople2020! Here’s the line up! pic.twitter.com/Z1Lc7cGcQR
— Rep. Renitta Shannon (@RenittaShannon) April 24, 2019
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#SheThePeople2020 is the first Presidential Forum that is for us, by us. Today we make history in Houston, Texas and We. Are. Here. For. It. 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/SIRtlmYuA7
— Luz Collective (@LuzCollective) April 24, 2019
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#SheThePeople2020 Never been in a place like this!! pic.twitter.com/E3CSSxiefy
— Charlene Mendoza (@cmm246) April 24, 2019
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Incredible intro by the incomparables @RepSylviaGarcia + @JacksonLeeTX18! 🥂 here here to Year of... Women of Color (and its only the beginning)!!! #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/QerLlEnjLq
— Mayra Mendoza (@peppyMiss) April 24, 2019
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It’s a packed house #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/g9hBYL1R0f
— Andrea Zuniga (@Andie_Zuniga) April 24, 2019
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#SheThePeople2020 that's right, Virginia... pic.twitter.com/qx3rzrfCNP
— Dan Martinez (@Dan_Martinez1) April 24, 2019
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A question about @IlhanMN and how we talk about WoC and Muslim women who speak truth to power from a resident @TexasSouthern student. #SheThePeople2020 #WeMarchWithIlhan pic.twitter.com/wdKy99bi1H
— She the People (@_shethepeople) April 24, 2019
18.
Getting straight to the point: Do you see taxing corporations as a racial justice issue? What’s your commitment to fighting for racial and economic justice? @ConMijente at #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/q9kCQQ48pt
— Groundswell Action Fund (@groundswellaxn) April 24, 2019
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#SheThePeople2020 getting started. pic.twitter.com/rerFV7SRtA
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) April 24, 2019
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Texas is turning blue thanks to women of color! ✊🏾✊🏿✊🏽 #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/BD9LMF9qHm
— She the People (@_shethepeople) April 24, 2019
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Kicking off #SheThePeople2020 with remarks from Congresswomen Sylvia Garcia and Sheila Jackson Lee 💕 pic.twitter.com/eLXzwMBDKn
— Women's March (@womensmarch) April 24, 2019
23.
Q: @JulianCastro why should women of color choose you as their presidential candidate?
— Antonio Arellano (@AntonioArellano) April 24, 2019
A: [video]#SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/EYSV0NjqOa
24.
Q: @TulsiGabbard do you support Puerto Rico’s statehood?
— Antonio Arellano (@AntonioArellano) April 24, 2019
A: [video]#ShethePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/Drf1sln0e8
25.
You thought we were joking about the dance break 😂 #SheThePeople2020
— She the People (@_shethepeople) April 24, 2019
That swag don't stop just cuz we talking about the issues.
Don't let them play Old Town Road! pic.twitter.com/WR5gOZ1WkK
26.
A chant of "Our Votes Matter" breaks out. A standing ovation. Women of color are here. The energy cannot be matched! This is how you drop the mic! ✊🏽✊🏿✊🏾😩 #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/hFOHpFWd7H
— She the People (@_shethepeople) April 24, 2019
27.
Good morning, Twitter angels. It's 6AM, pitch black outside, in a few hours this auditorium will be PACKED with America's most progressive decision makers: women of color. #SheThePeople2020 pic.twitter.com/yXH5pF9LO7
— She the People (@_shethepeople) April 24, 2019
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#SheThePeople2020 so excited to be here pic.twitter.com/SeOK3PuigT
— jacquuuie (@Dhamaris5) April 24, 2019
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Small but mighty team of women of color working since 5am today.
— Jessica is offline. (@JessicaLBYRD) April 23, 2019
All hands & hearts on deck the next 24 hours. #SheThePeople2020 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/L9vPaRfooV
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SheThePeople2020 is the first Presidential Forum that is for us, by us. Tomorrow we will make history in Houston, Texas! @BlackVotersMtr issl excited to be a partner. ✊🏾 #shethepeople2020 @_shethepeople pic.twitter.com/fJ8j6fC2BE
— LaTosha Brown (@MsLaToshaBrown) April 23, 2019
31.
MOOD 😍😍😍 about a few things today: 1)spending time with & learning alongside @IndivisibleTeam group leaders who are in Houston for #ShethePeople2020 2)gratitude for the subtle yet sweet hospitality in Houston 3)breaking bread together at the iconic & delicious @LucillesFood pic.twitter.com/cpxJLSc0si
— Mari Urbina (@TiaMari489) April 24, 2019
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Squad deep in #Houston for #ShethePeople2020! #ReproJustice pic.twitter.com/ZAHgfqpAKo
— La'Tasha D. Mayes (@duxfemfac) April 24, 2019