On Wednesday, April 6th, the National Action Network kicked off its 20th anniversary convention, celebrating "20 years of struggle, 20 years of progress, 20 years of shaping history."

During the day, four Cabinet members--Education Secretary Duncan, Attorney General Holder, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan--spoke to convention attendees about how the Obama Administration has been working with the African American community. That night, President Obama spoke at the Keepers of the Dream Awards Gala.

The President shared how we are building upon a new foundation to ensure that we are winning the future through job creation, access to affordable health care, providing housing assistance, tackling poverty, and focusing on education to be the pathway to our long-term economic prosperity. He spoke words from his heart of how public service can help people: "Yes, we have a ways to go to address unemployment and housing, but if we work together, we can get to another of King's beloved mountaintops and promised lands."

While the night was filled with memorable moments, the one that stuck with me was sitting next to my mom, Hilary Lawrence, a breast cancer survivor who went from no house in Jamaica to helping me work at the White House in D.C. My mom and my loving dad did so much to pave the way for me. To sit there as the Director of African American Outreach and experience this with her was one of those revelation moments where I reflected on the past and am so grateful for the future.

On the same day, we launched a new website--Winning the Future: President Obama and the African American Community. This website will allow for people to better understand how the Obama Administration's policies and work have benefited the African American community, from minority-owned businesses having more access to capital, to the benefits of health reform that are improving the lives of all Americans. We hope you'll find the new site useful!

Michael Blake is the Director of African American Outreach for the White House.

I was born with a heart murmur, my mother is a breast cancer survivor but lost her mom at the age of 3, an aunt who lost her life due to cancer, and my dad cleaned hospital rooms for 29 years.   But because of having access to health care, my family’s dreams were not deferred.  I am sure that I am not the only African-American who has received a second, third and fourth chance of realizing my dreams due to being healthy enough to realize them.

But for too many African-Americans, lack of access and unaffordable health care meant that their dreams were not realized.

Now, due to President Barack Obama, Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Democratic Members of Congress, health care is no longer an unmet promise for African-Americans and all Americans, it is now the law of the land.

But, you ask – how does health care help me? How does it help my family? I am glad that you asked.

Dr. Garth Graham from the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Minority Health has posted a new video on WhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform that discusses some of the many benefits of the Affordable Care Act for African Americans.  Before the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, the African American community struggled more than most as a result of our broken health care system.  As Dr. Graham points out, African Americans are nearly twice as likely to be uninsured than the rest of country and are consequently more likely to experience serious issues with medical bills and medical debt. 

But since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law just over six months ago, several patient protections have taken effect, putting a stop to insurance companies’ worst practices and giving African Americans more control over their health care. And in the years ahead, the Affordable Care Act will continue to improve the health care system for the African American community and all Americans. Under the new law:

• Coverage will be extended to 32 million people, and many individuals and families will have receive tax credits to make it easier to purchase insurance. This will help reduce disparities in accessing high-quality health care for African Americans who are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as the rest of the population.
• Today, if you’re uninsured because of a pre-existing condition, you can get insurance through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. In 2014, insurance companies will be prohibited from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions, a new rule that that will greatly benefit minority communities that have a higher rate of chronic illness.
• If you join a new insurance plan, insurance companies will be required to provide preventive services like tests that can help identify and stop breast cancer, colon cancer, heart disease and other diseases that disproportionally impact African American communities without charging you any additional out of pocket costs.
• If you’re a young adult, you may be able to remain on your parent’s insurance plan up until your 26th birthday. Up to 2.4 million young adults could gain coverage through this provision of the new law.
• For seniors, you should know that the Affordable Care Act continues to protect your guaranteed Medicare benefits, while taking important steps to fight waste, fraud and abuse. The new law will also close the coverage gap known as the “donut hole” completely by 2020. This year, seniors who fall into the “donut hole” will receive $250 rebate checks. In 2011, seniors in the donut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on their brand name prescription drugs.

Check out the video. 

You can read more about how the Affordable Care Act will affect you and our current insurance options at healthcare.gov, and you should check out this fact sheet on how the law directly benefits the African American community.

Health care is a personal thing for me.  I am sure that it is very personal to you as well.

Michael Blake is Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement coordinating African-American outreach.
 

James Kvaal, Special Assistant to the President on Economic Policy, and David Hinson, National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, provided updates about recent initiatives that have been proposed or enacted that will lead to economic opportunities for minority and women owned businesses.

The group discussed the Administration's job creation proposals. Two weeks ago, President Obama signed a measure cutting taxes for companies that hire unemployed workers. The Administration is working with Congress to continue last summer's successful summer jobs for youth program. The House also recently passed a bill funding 200,000 summer jobs, and the Senate will consider the measure when they return to Washington. President Obama is also working to create jobs for low-income families through the TANF emergency fund. 

Administration officials meet with national groups to discuss impact of the Recovery Act and efforts to extend economic opportunities to a broader group of communities and businesses April 1, 2010. (by Jason Stern)

David Hinson conveyed the progress of outreach efforts to minority businesses, the $2.9 billion in grants and financing these businesses received last year and additional efforts to continue addressing the access-to-capital dilemma through Business to Business events, regional networking and increased awareness sessions at the federal and state level.

Nearly 30 organizations were present for the conversation including leading national grassroots organizations, policy think tanks, faith organizations, as well as women’s advocacy groups.

Our recent economic numbers represent real progress after just more than a year, but we know there is much more to be done. These sessions help inform organizations on the efforts being made and the impact Administration policies will have on communities across the country.

Michael Blake is an Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement & Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs