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Historic Meeting of Black Cabinet Officials at the White House

By: Ahmed Fathi

A unprecedented meeting of Black Cabinet officials gathered at the White House today as part of the month-long commemoration of Black History Month. It included a presentation by Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor to the President, which was broadcast live.


As part of their dedication to the President's whole-of-government approach to attaining racial equity and helping neglected areas across the federal government, officials emphasized their own distinct viewpoints on the issues that they oversee in their respective departments. Aside from military service, housing, the environment, international affairs, and the economy, the discussion stressed the significance of Black leadership in crucial policy areas such as the economy, foreign affairs, and international affairs.


Participating officials included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, United States Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield to the United Nations, Chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisors Cecilia Rouse, and Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young among others.


A proclamation issued on January 31 by President Joe Biden urging the nation to recognize the contributions of African Americans, to honor the legacies and accomplishments of previous generations, to confront centuries of injustice, and to address those injustices that continue to fester today was released. Additionally, the President reaffirmed his commitment to attaining equity, racial fairness, and opportunity for African Americans by the signing of the proclamation, which began with the construction of a Federal Government that looks like America.


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