Education and Workforce

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FAIR CHANCE HIRING (OCTOBER 2020)

AAMA affirms support for the removal of barriers for citizens with a criminal record to obtain gainful employment and the implementation of policies and programs to help in the successful re-integration of formerly incarcerated citizens into society.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS) (APRIL 2017

AAMA calls upon the White House and executive agencies to elevate the mission of the White House Initiative on HBCUs to an urgent policy and fiscal priority of the Administration.

EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND ASSESSMENT TO MEASURE STUDENT LEARNING (FEBRUARY 2016)

Authorizes AAMA to encourage educational assessments and accountability from state policymakers for their respective states, and ensure collaboration with their state board of education and state-level departments.

SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY REFORM (MAY 2015)

Authorizes AAMA to adopt K-12 education reform public safety reform under the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.

CALLING FOR TEACHER DIVERSITY IN ELEMENTARY IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (MAY 2015)

Authorizes AAMA members to promote diversity in Elementary and Secondary Education by working with educational stakeholders and minority-serving institutions to encourage diversity in local teacher recruitment. The Corporation work through the local, state and federal legislative processes to ensure that teacher diversity will be closely monitored and reformed for a more equitable educational system.

21ST CENTURY ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT JOBS INITIATIVE ACT (H.R. 4526) (MAY 2015)

Authorizes AAMA to urge the members of the US Congress to support the 21st Century Workforce Development Jobs Initiative Act of 2014, which will support AAMA’s efforts for job creation and economic opportunity.

Energy and Environment

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC VEHICALES AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS IN RURAL, LOW-INCOME, AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES (April 2022)

AAMA encourages efforts to make electric cars more affordable and to bring more charging stations to underserved and unserved areas to avoid leaving low-income consumers further behind wealthier communities.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INCREASED ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT TO MAINTAIN ELECTRIC GRID EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE (APRIL 2022)

AAMA recognizes that an efficient electric grid is an important component of creating and maintaining access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy options for all consumers.

WILDFIRE POLICY RESOLUTION (NOVEMBER 2018)

AAMA urges Federal and State elected officials to reduce the legislative and regulatory barriers to: performing vegetation management, both inside and outside of the ROWs; developing and deploying new technologies that can enhance wildfire detection and response; and address liability concerns for electric companies; and supports the need for electric companies to be able to secure necessary cost recovery from public regulatory commissions for these essential public investments as well as damages for which they have been held liable.

RESOLUTION PROMOTING CITIES AND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION (NOVEMBER 2018)

African American Mayors Association will work with policymakers and community leaders and institutions, including electric and other utilities, technology companies and universities on the local, state, and federal levels to develop policies that facilitate and accelerate the development of smart cities and ensure all communities benefit from its technologies.

RESOLUTION ACCELERATING THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE US TRANSPORTATION SECTOR (NOVEMBER 2018)

African American Mayors Association calls on Congress and the Administration to work with cities on measures and actions that will further these needed collaborations as well as resources to support the expedited development of needed infrastructure to support the increased use of electricity in the transportation sector.

RESOLUTION ON GRID MOD STORAGE (APRIL 2018)

AAMA urges city leaders to collaborate with regulators, policy makers and stakeholders to develop policies that remove barriers to energy storage and other smarter energy infrastructure deployment and help realize the full economic, environmental, and societal benefits of these resources.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN GREEN SPACES AND GARDENS (FEBRUARY 2016)

Authorizes AAMA to support development of urban green spaces and gardens which provide opportunities for urban revitalization in our nation’s cities and can assist in some of our country’s challenges such as stormwater management and pollinator gardens.

SUPPORT OF EPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LGAC) (DECEMBER 2016)

AAMA will work with members of Congress and the current and incoming presidential administrations to ensure that LGAC remains an important advisor for environmental legislation.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NET ENERGY METERING WITH CONSUMER PROTECTIONS (DECEMBER 2016)

AAMA encourages state policymakers to ensure consumers are protected and accountable for their respective states, and that AAMA work through the local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that the residential solar industry will be appropriately regulated to ensure the protection of our communities.

DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE IN SOUTH CAROLINA (NOVEMBER 2015)

Authorized AAMA to donate to the American Red Cross in the amount of $5,000 from the Corporation’s funds to a 501(c)(3) charity organization to be approved by the Board.

Housing and Infrastructure

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF LOW-INCOME AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES (OCTOBER 2020)

AAMA supports the allotment of federal funds allocated for COVID-19 as part of the CARES Act to be used for water and wastewater customer assistance programs.

RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSED CHANGES TO EVICT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND CITIZEN CHILDREN FROM SUBSIDIZED HOUSING (JUNE 2019)

AAMA urges U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to withdraw proposed rules that would prohibit undocumented immigrants from residing in subsidized housing and other harmful policies that would ultimately end housing aid and displace thousands of families with mixed immigration status.

CALLING FOR INCREASE IN LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) FUNDING (APRIL 2017)

AAMA urges the President of the United States and the members of the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees to increase The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to no less than $4.7 billion to ensure greater protections for minority, low- and fixed-income households struggling to pay their energy bills; and that copies of this particular Resolution be dispatched to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, Members of Congress, House and Senate Leadership, and other elected officials as appropriate.

PROMOTION OF HOMEOWNERSHIP POLICY (OCTOBER 2015)

Authorized AAMA to promote policy for homeownership by working with the Federal Housing Agency and Obama Administration in support of releasing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship.  AAMA believes that once the Administration acts, the two companies can continue to open the door of homeownership for families across America.

Technology

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BEAD 

AAMA supports the need to ensure broadband access in creating economically sustainable communities of color and encourages all US states and territories to adopt a technology neutral policy position in its Five-Year Action Plan for BEAD funding and consider which technology is most appropriate for its citizens and businesses.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE APP-BASED ECONOMY 

AAMA calls for policy solutions that ensure the independence and flexibility that has allowed millions from underserved communities to build economic power and resources on their own terms; and urges its federal counterparts to do the same.

RESOLUTION TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE DURING COVID-19 BY IMPLEMENTING AN EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT (FEBRUARY 2021)

AAMA urges the United States Congress and the President to include an emergency broadband benefit for low income Americans in the next round of stimulus; and calls on the FCC, Congress, and the President to create a permanent broadband subsidy for low income Americans funded through appropriations.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BROADBAND (OCTOBER 2020)

AAMA encourages utilities to deploy reliable cyber-secure broadband to support new technologies and smarter energy infrastructure for the modern electric grid.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SPECTRUM SHARING IN THE 5.9 GHZ BAND FOR WI-FI (NOVEMBER 2018)

AAMA affirms the importance of unlicensed spectrum to ALL of their communities, but especially to communities of color whom have an increased reliance on wireless connectivity and low-income families who rely on free Wi-Fi for broadband access.

LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THE AIRWAVES ACT (JULY 2018)

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) writes in support of The AIRWAVES Act (S.1682; H.R.4953), the bicameral legislation from Sens. Gardner and Hassan and Reps. Lance and Doyle, which provides for enhanced wireless service in rural and other underserved communities. To read our resolution to the Senate, click here

 

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE USE OF FREE DATA PROGRAMS (DECEMBER 2016)

AAMA encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to support free data programs as a cost effective policy for keeping low income consumers connected to the internet.

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING CONSUMER PRIVACY PROTECTIONS ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS (DECEMBER 2016)

AAMA calls on Congress to take the necessary steps to ensure that flexible privacy standards grounded in the appropriate fair information practice principles apply equally to all entities and all platforms across the Internet ecosystem.

IN SUPPORT OF CLOSING THE HOMEWORK GAP THROUGH BROADBAND ACCESS (DECEMBER 2016)

AAMA urges the FCC to modernize its Lifeline Program to allow participants to choose between applying the same support to either voice or broadband Internet service, and AAMA urges the FCC to make spectrum for wireless broadband more readily available so that there are more opportunities for students to get their school work done.

NEXT GENERATION NETWORK RESOLUTION (DECEMBER 2016)

AAMA affirms local government’s role in balancing the deployment of new generation wireless technology with local governments’ role in managing rights-of-way, maintaining safe communities, and promoting economic development; and urges local governments to work collaboratively with businesses to bring next generation networks to their cities.

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING MINORITY OWNERSHIP IN COMMERCIAL WIRELESS SPECTRUM (MAY 2015)

Authorizes AAMA to support the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to encourage minority ownership through the Designed Entity (DE) Commercial Wireless Spectrum program.

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING MINORITY OWNERSHIP IN COMMERCIAL WIRELESS SPECTRUM (MAY 2015)

Authorizes AAMA to support the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to encourage minority ownership through the Designed Entity (DE) Commercial Wireless Spectrum program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

IN SUPPORT OF STEVE DETTLEBACH’S CONFIRMATION AS DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES (JUNE 2022)

AAMA calls for the United States Senate to immediately confirm Steven Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO END GUN VIOLENCE (MARCH 2019)

AAMA urges Mayors to reduce gun violence in their communities by working with state and federal lawmakers to promote, pass, and implement common sense laws at every level of government; and execute both long-term and immediate actions to address gun violence where it occurs.

IN SUPPORT OF BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL GUN SALES (MARCH 2019)

The Association urges Congress to pass, and the President to Sign, H.R. 8, an important, bipartisan public safety bill that would require a background check for every gun sale.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MAYORS ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO FEDERAL “CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY” (JUNE 2017)

AAMA opposes “concealed carry reciprocity” or any other legislation that would put local law enforcement at risk when encountering an armed out-of-state visitor, who may be carrying with no permit whatsoever—often leaving police and sheriffs with no means to verify whether the person is carrying lawfully; and reiterates its support for common-sense gun legislation to keep guns out of dangerous hands, including strong standards that ensure people cannot legally carry guns concealed on city streets without proper safety training or if they pose a danger to the public.

GRANTS FOR MY BROTHER’S KEEPER INITIATIVE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM INITIATIVE (FEBRUARY 2016)

Authorizes AAMA to distribute up to two (2) grants, each in the amount of $2,500.00 to be made available to organizations recommended by those Active Members of the Corporation working on and participating in supporting either the MBK Initiative or the Justice Reform Initiative.

Additional Resolutions

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 7213 TO ENSURE PATIENT ACCESS TO PHARMACY

AAMA affirms strong support for the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (H.R. 7213), bipartisan legislation that would improve patient access to pharmacist care, empower communities to combat COVID-19 and future public health threats, and alleviate gaps in care and improve health equity in America.

SNAP Access Resolution Promoting Food Equity and Nutritional Security in the United States

AAMA recognizes that to equitably improve health and wellbeing, the U.S. government must invest in public-private partnerships with grocers and retailers, education over nutrition and nutrition programs, and policies that incentivize healthy food access and healthy eating.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF OF THE ACO REACH MODEL MEDICARE PROGRAM

AAMA encourages Congress and the Biden administration to continue to support the CMMI ACO REACH model, which transforms the outdated fee-for-service Medicare model by putting primary care providers at the center of integrated care teams; rewards providers for high-quality, affordable care; and addresses health equity.

RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT STATE AND LOCAL EFFORTS TO CREATE FAIRNESS AND CONSISTENCY FOR PEER-TO-PEER CAR RENTAL COMPANIES AND SERVICES (APRIL 2021)

AAMA strongly endorses efforts to adopt a sound public policy that streamlines, clarifies and makes consistent, regulations for all car rental companies including peer-to-peer vehicle sharing services; and urges the passage and implementation of these laws for the sake of public interest.

RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION’S AMERICA’S NEW BUSINESS PLAN (FEBRUARY 2021)

AAMA endorses the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s America’s New Business Plan.

RESOLUTION TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER, AND ADVOCATE AROUND END-OF-LIFE CARE (FEBRUARY 2021)

AAMA urges Congress to enact legislation that would encourage Medicare and Medicaid to take meaningful steps toward identifying and educating vulnerable populations that are nearing the end of their life.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FACE MASK MANDATES (JULY 2020)

AAMA calls on Governors to repeal any orders or rules prohibiting local governments from implementing and enforcing transmission mitigation strategies such as social distance practices and the use of face masks in public spaces as recommended by the CDC.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE USE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AS AN OPTION FOR EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECKS (APRIL 2020)

Authorizes AAMA to support the use of non-governmental entities as an option for employment background checks.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE C.R.O.W.N. ACT (JULY 2019)

AAMA urges mayors across the country to work with state representatives and Members of Congress in the development and passage of laws that prevent discrimination on the basis of hair texture and protective styles and to expand the definition of racial discrimination in all applicable existing laws to include hair texture and protective styles.

PRESERVE FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS AND SUPPORT FUNDING FOR LOCAL INITIATIVES (JUNE 2019)

AAMA calls on the President of the United States and Members of Congress to continue strong funding support of Alzheimer’s and other dementias research activities at the National Institutes of Health.

CENSUS 2020 RESOLUTION (MARCH 2019)

AAMA urges the Secretary of Commerce to uphold the U.S. District Court’s decision to reject the Department of Justice’s request to include a citizenship question on the Census questionnaire.

MATERNAL HEALTH RESOLUTION (AUGUST 2018)

AAMA encourages city leaders to work with local health officials and community health organizations to develop an action plan on reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes.

DIVERSE ASSET MANAGERS INITIATIVE (APRIL 2018)

The Board hereby authorizes and approves the AAMA to become a member of Diverse Asset Managers Initiative, an initiative as described in the overview attached hereto as Exhibit B.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION REFORM (APRIL 2017)

AAMA urges Congress to enact bipartisan immigration reform measures that aim to: (1) Strengthen our borders while assuring that state and local law enforcement is able to remain focused on community policing; (2) Establish a streamlined visa process to efficiently process seasonal, agricultural, lesser-skilled and high skilled workers; 3) Provide a uniform system of employment verification; and (4) Implement a framework that enables people of goodwill currently living in the shadows to come out and fully pursue the American dream.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE LORETTA LYNCH (NOVEMBER 2014)

Authorized AAMA to support President Barack Obama’s nomination Loretta Lynch as United States Attorney General.