Affirmative action has long been a tool for addressing systemic discrimination in education and employment, yet its implementation often fails to account for the specific challenges faced by Black men. Point #3 of the Black Male Political Agenda calls for targeted affirmative action policies that focus specifically on the needs of Black men, addressing their unique position at the intersection of racial and gender inequity. This targeted approach seeks to correct historical injustices and create equitable opportunities for Black men to succeed in education, employment, and beyond.

Education is often regarded as the great equalizer, a pathway to opportunity and success. Yet, for Black boys in the United States, this promise remains largely unfulfilled. Point #2 of the Black Male Political Agenda calls for targeted reforms in education to address systemic disparities that disproportionately affect Black male students. These reforms aim to ensure that Black boys not only have access to quality education but are also supported in ways that acknowledge and address the unique challenges they face.

The family court system, an institution designed to prioritize the well-being of children, has often been a source of systemic inequity—particularly for Black fathers. The first point in the Black Male Political Agenda, which calls for automatic 50/50 child custody arrangements and mandatory paternity testing at birth, reflects the need for reforms that address these disparities. These changes, while straightforward, have profound implications for family cohesion, child development, and societal equity.

In September 2020, Dr. T. Hasan Johnson, a scholar and advocate for Black male empowerment, unveiled the Black Male Political Agenda—an 18-point framework designed to address the systemic challenges that Black men face across various aspects of society. This agenda is not merely the work of one man but the product of collective effort. Dr. Johnson engaged with a broad and diverse community of Black men to craft, refine, and prioritize this comprehensive roadmap. Together, they envisioned a future where Black men could thrive, supported by policies that address their unique realities.

Imagine it: institutions born of resistance, places where our ancestors’ hopes rose from oppression’s ashes, yet now, they’re becoming places where Black men are increasingly absent. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were born to preserve and elevate Black minds, to ensure the light of learning in the midst of systems meant to deny it. But today, Black men make up only about 26% of HBCU attendees, a shocking decline from the 38% recorded in 1976. Meanwhile, non-Black enrollment at HBCUs has swelled from 15% in the late '70s to 24% today. What does it say about our institutions, our priorities, that they serve fewer and fewer Black men with each passing year?

Historically, Affirmative Action was initiated as a direct response to the systemic barriers that excluded Black Americans from the economic and educational arenas.

In the intricate dance of American politics, where diverse voices seek acknowledgment and influence, the Republican Party often presents itself as a champion of economic independence, personal responsibility, and conservative family values.

Despite the Democratic Party's commitment to diversity and inclusion, there is a perception among some Black men that their roles within the family and community are not sufficiently championed or even adequately understood.

This divergence is not merely a matter of differing opinions but a profound reflection of how policies and party allegiances resonate differently across gender lines within the Black community.