By Victor Gotevbe
Founder and President, UPAC
United People for African Congress (UPAC) – the umbrella organization for African Born Americans , will on Friday, February 23 hold its inaugural edition of the African Community Candidates Forum in partnership with dozens of citizens groups across Prince George’s County as part of activities to celebrate Black History Month.
Prince George’s County, Maryland, is mostly populated by African immigrants and is setting the pace to mobilize immigrants to wake up from their slumber to take their civic responsibilities more seriously.
UPAC with its mandate to advocate for the rights of fellow African nationals in America, to empower them and increase public acknowledgement and respect in a press statement signed by Dr. Sylvester Okere, UPAC leader noted “in what appears to be a defiant response to the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the Trump administration, African immigrants are poised to flex their political power in the United States by seeking electoral positions in predominantly black neighborhoods in Maryland”.
He further stated : “the planned forum would be an opportunity for candidates vying for Prince George County Executive Position to share their ideas on how they hope to improve the county to be inclusive of African born in its decision making”.
It will be the first of its kind UPAC will hold in future elections across the nation especially states densely populated with African immigrants
The forum promises to be the largest gathering of black Diaspora. It will feature a structured format for the candidates to express their manifesto before a live audience. The event will also be streamed live on television and via several social media channels.
Invited County Executive Candidates: Hon. Angela D. Alsobrooks, Hon. Donna F. Edwards, Hon. C. Anthony Muse, Hon. Paul Monteiro, Hon. Johnson, Lewis S. and Hon. White, Jonathan C. and several political candidates for 2018 election.
All participating candidates will receive an agenda for the upcoming forum to help them to respond to the community’s concerns as expressed through written letters, listening to Prince George County complaints and questions solicited from the social media.
