With the November 2014 election rapidly approaching, it’s more important than ever that we encourage communities of color to participate and ensure their voice is heard.   There are many organizations dedicated to this mission, including the Black American Political Action Committee (BAPAC) of Contra Costa County.

BAPAC is devoted to raising the voice of the African American community throughout Contra Costa County on matters and issues that mean the most to the organization.  We strive to protect the interests of our community and work to make Contra Costa County a good place to live for everyone. That includes doing everything we can to make sure the community’s voice is heard especially on Election Day.

African Americans are a strong and proud presence in Richmond and Contra Costa County. We need to make sure that we have a seat at the table of government when decisions that affect us are made, and we can do that by being active participants in improving our neighborhoods and the community. Voting matters!

BAPAC may not have a huge membership roll, but it is one with a proud and respected legacy and a list of tangible accomplishments in Richmond and the surrounding communities of Contra Costa County.  Founded in 1999, BAPAC is now headed by us – life-long friends and community activists Lloyd Madden and Joe Fisher. We do much of the organizational and administrative work and like to consider ourselves fixtures at political events and community meetings.

BAPAC contributes to the community in many ways.  We distribute a weekly newsletter “What’s Happening” listing the many different events that are taking place in Contra Costa County and Richmond each week and inform our members and friends of opportunities for civic engagement in upcoming campaigns.  We honor and profile the important work of local community activists at our annual Honorable Judge George D. Carroll Community Service Awards Reception. BAPAC played a significant role in the defeat of Measure M (Soda Tax). We helped lead the successful effort to have the Richmond Courthouse renamed in honor of Judge George D. Carroll, who was both the first African American Mayor of Richmond as well as the first African American Judge in Contra Costa County. In Hercules, BAPAC spearheaded the campaign to rename the Willow Avenue Overcrossing to the Joe Eddy MacDonald Memorial Overcrossing, honoring him as a community activist, who served on the Hercules City Council and as Mayor of that city.  We hope to improve the turn out of African American voters this November and encourage everyone to get involved.

The work of groups like BAPAC is never done and we expect to be a part of the fabric of Richmond for many years to come. African Americans have fought hard for equal rights, it is our duty to protect, cherish, and enhance them.  This November, we encourage everyone to take an interest in the upcoming election and vote!

For more information on the activities of BAPAC, please visit www.bapacccc.com.

- Lloyd Madden, President, BAPAC