HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH As we commemorate this powerful month of celebration and reflection, which was started by the great Carter G. Woodson, let us remember that Black history is world history. It is the foundation of innovation, the heartbeat of culture, and the blueprint for resilience. From the brilliance of ancient African civilizations to the fight for freedom in every corner of the globe, our legacy is undeniable. No matter how loudly some attempt to erase, rewrite, or devalue our contributions—whether through attacks on DEI, whitewashed textbooks, or policies meant to silence us—the truth remains: Black culture has shaped society, both here in the U.S. and across the world. We stand on the shoulders of those who dared to dream, who fought against oppression, and who refused to be invisible. Our history is one of power, of beauty, of an unwavering commitment to justice. And we must protect it. We must tell our stories, teach our children, and stand up against every attempt to diminish our value. But history is not just something we look back on—it is something we create every single day. We have an opportunity, right now, to define a new era of Black resistance and civic engagement. To show up, to organize, to vote, to lead, and to demand the justice and equity our ancestors envisioned. We are the legacy of those who came before us, and we are the architects of what comes next. Let’s make history. Let’s make our ancestors proud. Let’s fight for our future. REFLECTING ON 2024: A YEAR OF IMPACT & ACTION Equal Ground is proud to release our 2024 End-of-Year Report, capturing the milestones, challenges, and victories of this pivotal year. While the report reflects on the past 12 months, it serves as a launchpad for the work ahead in 2025 as we continue to defend democracy and expand Black political power in Florida and beyond. From preparing for one of the most consequential elections of our time to advocating for the Florida Voting Rights Act and pushing back against attacks on our community, Equal Ground has remained at the forefront of the fight for justice. This year, we: ✅ Engaged thousands of Black voters through voter education, mobilization, and grassroots outreach. ✅ Advocated for key legislation to protect and expand voting rights while resisting harmful policies that silence our voices. ✅ Fought back against attacks on our communities, including efforts to roll back civil rights and limit access to the ballot. ✅ Strengthened our coalitions to ensure long-term progress and collective power. As we release this report, we reaffirm our commitment to the fight ahead. The lessons and victories of 2024 will guide our efforts in 2025 as we continue to build, organize, and advocate for policies that uplift our communities. 📢 Click HERE to read the full 2024 End-of-Year Report. LEADERSHIP CHANGE: A NEW CHAPTER FOR EQUAL GROUND We are excited to share important leadership changes that mark a new chapter for Equal Ground. Genesis Robinson has officially stepped into the role of Executive Director after serving as Interim Executive Director. During his tenure, Genesis led critical voter education and engagement initiatives, strengthened key partnerships, expanded our advocacy efforts, and successfully guided the organization through a pivotal election season. We also welcome back Equal Ground’s founder, Jasmine Burney Clark, who has returned to the organization as Senior Advisor. In this role, Jasmine is focusing on long-term strategic planning and fundraising to strengthen the sustainability and impact of Equal Ground. Her deep expertise, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment continue to be instrumental in guiding the organization’s future. With this dynamic leadership team, Equal Ground staff, partners, and volunteers, we will continue the mission of increasing civic engagement and building Black political power. Read more HERE. TAKE THE LEAD ***REGISTRATION NOW OPEN*** With ongoing attacks from state and federal governments on diversity, equity, inclusion, education, culture, and voting rights, it's time for us to step up and meet the moment. We can't let these challenges go unchecked. It's not enough to stay on the defense; we need to go on the offense too. We deserve livable wage jobs, access to healthcare, and schools that value academic freedom and don't censor the truth. Achieving these goals means engaging in the legislative process. That's why we launched Equal Ground's "Take the Lead" Training Series. This program is designed to help both new and experienced Black leaders boost their involvement in local and state civic activities. We believe that understanding how our government operates and knowing how to engage with it are key to holding our elected officials accountable and making real changes in our communities. This year, we're offering two tracks:
In addition to training, all participants will hear from legislative leaders about what to expect in the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session. By joining this series, you'll be better equipped to navigate the legislative landscape and effectively advocate for our communities amidst these ongoing challenges. Click HERE to register. EQUAL GROUND DAY AT THE CAPITOL ***REGISTER NOW*** Equal Ground and Clergy Day at the Capitol will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 with an opening reception and training on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Tallahassee, FL. This will be an opportunity to commune with other community leaders, meet with legislators around important issues in person and participate in other advocacy activities. If you are interested in attending, please complete the registration form found HERE. After your registration has been approved, you will receive additional details at a later date. For all questions please contact us at Info@equal-ground.com.
Tentative Event Agenda at a Glance March 25, 2025
March 26, 2025
Hotel Accommodations 826 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32304, US (877) 846-3446 Click HERE to make reservation. Once you enter dates it will unlock the discounted rate of $199 per night. PLEASE NOTE, EACH PERSON/GROUP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURING THEIR OWN HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS. THIS IS NOT AN EXPENSE OR SERVICE EQUAL GROUND WILL PROVIDE FLORIDA BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT CALL The Florida Black Political Empowerment Call is an opportunity for you to receive updates about issues impacting Black people in the state of Florida and receive information and tools to help improve our community through collective action. The speaker for our September call will be announced soon. The next call will be Monday, February 17th. Please click HERE to RSVP. FLORIDA PASSES DRACONIAN IMMIGRATION LAW This legislature convened for a special session (2025A) on Monday, January 27th, as called by Governor DeSantis; but they immediately adjourned that session and called a session of their own (2025B). In Special Session 2025A Representative Caruso (Palm Beach) and Senator Ingoglia (Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Sumter) filed a slew of bills addressing immigration and the citizen's initiative process to be addressed, but the bills were not heard. In the 2025B session, HB 1B and SB 2B were filed by Representative McClure (Hillsborough) and Senator Gruters (Manatee, Sarasota) and subsequently heard on Monday and Tuesday for their first and second reading, and passed through both chambers. Although the legislative leadership bucked DeSantis’s order they are in lockstep with President Trump, coining this sweeping immigration legislation the T.R.U.M.P. Act (which stands for Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act). This bill, which varied from that of what DeSantis proposed, will implement a system to assist the federal government in its pursuit to curb illegal immigration. SB 2B was passed Tuesday evening, and establishes that the Commissioner of Agriculture would serve as the State Immigration Officer (as opposed to someone appointed by the Governor); this bill also creates the “Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program” which would allow for the state to direct resources to local law enforcement agencies to carry out immigration enforcement duties. The T.R.U.M.P. Act also includes a section that will create a new felony offense (third degree) for undocumented individuals who vote, or people who help an undocumented person to vote, and sets penalties for those crimes. Republican lawmakers argued in support of the bill, stating that we need to get rid of the in-state tuition for undocumented college students (known as Dreamers) because they should not have access to the same opportunities as U.S. citizens. This would strip over 40,000 college students in Florida of their opportunity to attend college and to afford college. This is a huge concern for us as allies to immigrant communities and undocumented people in Florida. They are Floridians too and this change will lead to lower college enrollment which impacts Florida’s workforce and economy. Provisions of T.R.U.M.P Act
✅ Automatic death penalty for undocumented persons who commit murder ✅ Maximum sentences for undocumented persons who commit crimes ✅ REAL ID requirements to secure elections & prevent fraud ✅ Expanded ICE detention to stop catch-and-release ✅ Tougher penalties for unauthorized voting & new RICO charges for election fraud ✅ Criminal penalties for unauthorized voter registration ✅ Elimination of in-state tuition for undocumented persons There have been many jokes being made about the infighting that is apparent in the Republican Party, but it is at the expense of taxpayers, as we pay the legislators to do their work and they have convened a special session to address immigration when Floridians are dealing with an increasing cost of living, unaffordable housing and food costs, vulnerabilities of our infrastructure due to climate change, and less and less access to the ballot box. Legislators had virtually no time to read the newly filed legislation Monday, and then had little to no time to prepare to propose amendments, ask questions and debate on the bill in both chambers of the legislature before SB 2B passed in both chambers on Tuesday night, along party lines with the exception of a few Republicans in the Senate who voted no on the bill. The T.R.U.M.P. Act will go into effect as soon as it is signed into law; if the Governor vetoes the bill the legislature can override his veto with a two-thirds majority vote. In the 3rd committee week (January 13-17th), the Legislature met and had a full schedule of committee meetings, during which they heard presentations from state departments focused on their proposed budgets and 2025 legislative priorities. We listened in on numerous committee meetings, including Senate Ethics and Elections, Senate Health Policy, the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee and the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. There will be three committee weeks in the month of February so we will continue to monitor and track committees and bills as they are being filed, and keep you all informed. FLORIDA SPECIAL ELECTION Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis secured a decisive victory in the Republican primary for the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in Florida’s 1st Congressional District, located in the western Panhandle. Meanwhile, state Sen. Randy Fine won the GOP primary for a Northeast Florida congressional seat. Patronis dominated the Pensacola-area special primary, earning over 66% of the vote in a crowded 10-candidate field. No other contender surpassed 10%, with former state Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman finishing second at just under 9%. Rudman had vacated a safe seat in the state House to pursue the congressional bid. The district spans parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress after being nominated by President Donald Trump for attorney general but later withdrew from consideration following intense scrutiny over a congressional investigation into alleged misconduct. The House Ethics Committee had been investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, including paying multiple women for sex, illicit drug use, and involvement with a minor. The committee's report detailed claims that Gaetz had provided financial payments to women for sex and drugs, with one witness testifying that she had engaged in sexual encounters with Gaetz when she was 17 and received money from him. Although Gaetz denied the allegations, the growing controversy surrounding the investigation led to significant political backlash, ultimately prompting his withdrawal from the attorney general nomination. Patronis will face Democrat Gay Valimont and independent candidate Stephen Brody in the April 1 Special General Election. In a separate race, Fine overwhelmingly won his primary to succeed former Rep. Michael Waltz, who stepped down to serve as Trump’s national security adviser. Fine, currently the only Jewish Republican in the Florida Senate, secured 83% of the vote, defeating two lesser-known opponents. He will compete against Democrat Josh Weil, a teacher, in the April 1 general election. Both Fine and Patronis will need to relocate to their respective districts if elected.
FLORIDA HAS A NEW SENATOR Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has been appointed to the U.S. Senate, marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape. A staunch conservative and key ally of Governor Ron DeSantis, Moody has built a reputation for aggressively advancing policies that align with the far-right agenda, particularly in areas of criminal justice, election integrity, and social policy. Moody’s tenure as attorney general has been characterized by her commitment to restricting abortion access, opposing federal protections for voting rights, and supporting controversial policies aimed at limiting discussions of race and history in schools. She has been a vocal supporter of Florida’s legal battles against the Biden administration, including lawsuits challenging federal immigration policies and efforts to restrict access to reproductive healthcare. Her appointment to the Senate is expected to further entrench these positions at the federal level. With control of the Senate potentially in the balance, her role could have major implications for national policies on civil rights, voting rights, and judicial appointments. TRUMP BYPASSES CONGRESS WITH EXECUTIVE ORDERS Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders addressing a range of issues, including immigration, federal workforce policies, energy production, and social policies. These actions reflect how he will lead and what his administration’s priorities will be. However, his use of executive orders has largely advanced a political agenda rather than addressing broader, unifying concerns. By focusing on divisive policies, he has missed an opportunity to use executive power for the universal good, such as tackling pressing national issues in a way that benefits all Americans.Federal Workforce
Immigration and Border Policy
Gender and Diversity Policies
Tariffs and Trade
Energy and Environmental Policies
Miscellaneous Orders
LEGISLATIVE DELIGATION MEETINGS The Florida Legislature has been sworn in, and they have begun holding legislative delegation meetings. These meetings are where the process of shaping policy starts and offer a unique chance to connect with your local lawmakers without having to travel all the way to Tallahassee. They focus on the issues that matter most to your community, from schools and public safety to economic opportunities and local infrastructure. You don’t have to wait until the legislative session begins to make your voice heard—this is your opportunity to share ideas, raise concerns, and influence the priorities your legislators will take to the Capitol. By attending, you’re not just staying informed; you’re helping ensure that the needs of your community are front and center. Don’t miss the chance to engage locally and make a real impact! For a complete schedule, click HERE. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER As we prepare for the Florida Legislative Session starting in March 2025, it’s crucial to be aware of key dates leading up to it. Committee weeks and delegation meetings are just as important as the session itself, offering early opportunities to engage with lawmakers and influence the legislative agenda. Mark these dates in your calendar and plan to attend whenever possible. These events allow us to advocate for policies that matter most to our community and ensure our voices are heard at every step of the process. |
VOLUNTEER WITH US In the 2024 election, Florida witnessed significant participation in mail-in voting, with over 3 million ballots cast by mail. This engagement underscores the critical role that accessible voting options play in our democratic process. However, due to Senate Bill 90 being signed into law by our governor in 2021, all vote by mail request from the previous year has been purged. We need your help spreading awareness to community members that is they wish to vote by mail during the 2025-2026. By volunteering, you contribute to:
Your involvement is crucial to making sure every voice in our community is heard. Please visit equal-ground.com/volunteer to find out how you can help us empower our community. Please CLICK HERE to explore volunteer opportunities.RESOURCES
STAY SOCIALBe sure to follow Equal Ground on social media for legislative updates and content you can share.
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