THE B-PEP MISSION STATEMENT

B-PEP, the Black Political Empowerment Project, was launched on May 21, 1986 as anon-partisan community collaborative, consisting of agency, organization and religious leaders, as well as committed individuals, which seeks to build political power and influence for the African American community by:

• Advocating that ALL African Americans are registered to vote, and that they embrace the mission: “It’s a LIFETIME COMMITMENT …African Americans VOTE in each and every election!”

• Advocating that those in political office move to expeditiously and effectively meet the needs, aspirations and concerns of the African American population they are elected to serve.

• Recognizing the pivotal and powerful connection between a consistently high voting pattern in the African American community and its impact on the political process.

The Black Political Empowerment Project ("B-PEP")

B-PEP is primarily a volunteer organization which relies upon the dedication of people who donate an incredible number of hours to an organization that they truly believe in because of its ability to “uplift” our communities by providing “hope” and a sense of purpose.

B-PEP was launched on May 21, 1986, with the goal of increasing awareness, within the African American community, of the need to VOTE in EACH and EVERY election. This non-partisan community collaborative relies on the dedication of people who donate an incredible number of hours and willingly give of their time because they believe this organization has the ability to uplift our communities by providing hope and a sense of pride.

In addition to ensuring that African Americans participate in the voting process, we oversee other projects including the Coalition Against Violence, the Regional Equity Monitoring Project (REMP), and we partner with the Youth Media Justice Initiative and with CCAC’s Young Adult Empowerment Program (YEAP).

B-PEP is also a part of the Non-profit Voter Engagement Network. In 2012 B-PEP, along with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, hosted ‘The Corporate Equity and Empowerment Summit” to address the disparities in the Pittsburgh Region.

Over the years, B-PEP has been fortunate to have received support from many area corporations and agencies, as well as the Heinz Endowments, the Pittsburgh Foundation, the POISE Foundation, the Three Rivers Community Foundation, and the nationally recognized Ford Foundation. A large portion of our ongoing operating funds has been raised through our annual fundraising event “B-PEP Jazz”.

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, nor struggle;

The tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Coalition Against Violence (CAV) is a broad-based, independent coalition of community and religious leaders, police, representatives of education and government, and concerned citizens of Allegheny County. The Coalition formed in direct response to a 2007 report that Pennsylvania led the nation in homicide rates among African Americans.

Civic Engagement is covered with our partnership with the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network and our non-partisan voter registration, mobilization and election protection campaigns created to increase voter participation in Metropolitan Pittsburgh and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. B-PEP is dedicated to expanding the role of the Commonwealth's 501(c) (3) non-profit agencies and organizations in non-partisan voting efforts and in all elections.

Youth Media Justice Initiative is a joint project with B-PEP and Greater Pittsburgh Student Voices. Youth conduct “message system analyses” of local Pittsburgh TV news. Teens have presented findings to media executives and community leaders.

The Regional Equity Monitoring Project (REMP) is a non-partisan, non-profit civic engagement campaign that involves citizens in monitoring and advocating for equity throughout Pennsylvania. Phase III areas of focus included employment, contracts and workforce development.

The Young Adult Empowerment Program (YAEP) seeks to help undereducated and underemployed individuals ages 17 to 24 in Southwestern PA. The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is working in partnership with B-PEP, the Coalition Against Violence (CAV), the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council (GPLC) to offer this new exciting opportunity. This program was initiated through conversations with B-PEP/CAV and CCAC President, Dr. Alex Johnson.

The “B-PEP Community Moments Radio Show!” on WGBN

Radio AM 1150, “The Voice of Urban Pittsburgh,” features conversations about issues, concerns and events of interest to the African American community in the Pittsburgh region. The show is broadcast each first and fourth Saturday of every month from 12 noon to 1 pm.

“Please visit WGBN online at: www.WGBN.net.”

THE B-PEP VISION

“BLACKS ARE EMPOWERED BY THE VOTE!!”