NABWIC Continues Building Strategic Political Power
“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
Plato
Just imagine, you are in Washington DC, and coming toward you is a sea of Black Women. They are all wearing red long-sleeve shirts with NABWIC embroidered on the front left chest, with white lettering. On the back are spelled out are the words “National Association of Black Women in Construction." Mayors, Congressional Staffers, Business Owners, everyone wants to know, who are we? Why is NABWIC necessary? Are there very many of you? How can I join? Can you come to my State, my City, my County, and start a chapter?
NABWIC continues to build political power and strategic alliances during the week of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation activities in Washington DC.
Why do we continue to go to the HILL every September?
- As builders, we build.
- We build businesses.
- We build relationships.
- We build people.
We build businesses by helping our members to experience the political power they have access to in Congress, in their States, and locally. For example, many of our members connected with numerous business opportunities from networking and setting strategic meetings. Another example, while in DC, we visited the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
We found it very interesting that during the meeting with the FAA, an inquiry was made about our political connections and relationships. The question was not about being a Democrat, or a Republican; it was more about access. Many of our members have Congressional Representatives who are on the Appropriations Committee, which impacts the FAA funding.
We build relationships
by annually hosting a private reception at the City Club of Washington.
We had over 900 responses and over 200 attendees. These attendees included but were not limited to Congressional Staffers, State, and Local Politicians, Members of our
Strategic Partners, Procurement Officers, our Sponsors, and of course my Alma Mata Florida Memorial University President, Jaffus Hardrick
