Who or what inspired you to get involved in politics?

My father. My father immigrated from Bermuda and to my mother’s town in North Carolina, married her, and became a dentist. The White establishment in the town told my father that they would give him the “privilege” of skipping the literacy test and being allowed to vote. This insulted my father and he began to do intensive voter registration in the community. My father began to gain traction with getting Black people to overcome passing the literacy test, and in 1928 he was threatened and told to stop his efforts. My father stopped for a while, and then organized the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) in the community to focus on voter registration.

In 1953, when I was 7, my father ran for city council in our ward and focused on turning out the Black community to vote. My father and his opponent received the exact same amount of votes. My father received support from the Black community, his opponent’s came from the White community. In order to break the tie, they put my father’s and his opponent’s name in a hat, blindfolded a little White girl, and had her pick a name. She picked my father’s name, and he became the fourth Black elected official in North Carolina since Reconstruction.

When my father was up for re-election again in 1958, they changed the voting system. Elections were no longer by ward, but at-large, requiring candidates to run city-wide. This meant he would have to receive enough White votes to retain his seat. On Election Day, my father came in last place during the election. The NAACP became involved and filed a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled against the NAACP.

Watching all of this unfold, made a profound impression on my now then 10 year old self. It is the reason that I became involved in politics and became a lawyer. My father’s legacy has led me in this direction, and I continue to honor it today.

Why are you a Democrat?

The Democratic Party values of the 21st century align with the values of African Americans.  The Democratic Party cares about alleviating poverty and growing the middle class, and that is the most appealing to African American voters and me. The Republican Party agenda is not about throwing a lifeline to those in need of achieving the American Dream, and their theory that wealth and power trickles down to the middle class has only led to flat wages for American workers while corporations are getting richer.

It is the Democratic Party that is leveling the playing field with good wages and creating 21st century jobs. There is a stark difference between Democrats and Republicans, and it is clear the Democratic agenda is the one that supports the African American community.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

We need to celebrate Black history every day of the year. When I was younger, it was called Negro History Week and it evolved into an entire month. It is important for not only African Americans, but for all Americans to understand the evolution of Black people from slavery to freedom, and now from freedom to parity. Every American needs to not only understand this history, but how all periods of African American history are connected.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement in recognition of Black History Month:

“This February, we celebrate Black History Month. It is an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that African Americans have made to our nation. Through innovations in technology, advances in medicine, athletic and artistic achievements, and promoting social justice, just to name a few, African Americans have helped move our nation toward a more perfect union.

“The understanding and appreciation fostered by Black History Month strengthens our resolve to continue on the path of progress. The Democratic Party will keep fighting to expand the vote and protect the franchise for all Americans, and to push economic policies that put middle class families first. We remain strongly committed to making sure every American has access to quality health care and affordable higher education.

“Black History Month is our chance to reflect on and express our appreciation for the ways the African American community has helped shape the American Dream. But in equal measure, it is our responsibility to use those lessons to ensure equality of opportunity for future generations.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on the 6th anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law:

“Six years ago today, President Obama made the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act the first piece of legislation he signed into law. By doing so, President Obama set a course for his administration to defend equality of opportunity for all Americans and prioritize middle class economic policies that help families make ends meet.

“With more women serving as their family’s primary breadwinner, equal pay is more than a women’s issue; equal pay is a family issue and an economic issue. Yet Congressional Republicans continue to oppose the Paycheck Fairness Act – common sense legislation necessary to provide women the legal tools they need to fight pay discrimination when it occurs – and the GOP’s potential 2016 contenders dismiss the importance of equal pay as an economic issue for middle class families.

“Six years after the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act became law, Democrats are still fighting for economic policies that benefit middle class women and their families, including steps that continue to move us closer to the promise of equal pay.”

Last week was a big one for Democrats, and if you're feeling as fired up as I am, I hope you'll show it by becoming an official DNC member for 2015.

Just pitch in $10 or more to become a member – we'll even send you your membership card to make it official.

Becoming a member is more than just a donation to Democrats. It's a symbol of your special commitment to the President, our party, and the work that we're going to do in 2015. It's an investment not only in the next couple of years, but in the future of the Democratic Party for many elections to come.

Plus, you'll be able to go to all your friends and family, show off your membership card with pride, and declare, “I am a card-carrying Democrat!” (And trust me, that feels good.)

Chip in $10 or more, and we'll put your official 2015 DNC membership card in the mail:

https://my.democrats.org/Become-a-2015-Member

Thanks for taking the next step.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz today announced the 2016 Democratic National Convention will be held the week of July 25, 2016. The committee is still in final contract negotiations to choose a host city for the convention and will announce the decision in the coming weeks.

“This is the next step to finalize where and when we will nominate the 45th President of the United States, highlight the Democratic Party’s agenda of fighting  for expanded opportunity and contrast it with the Republican Party’s commitment to the fortunate few,” said Wasserman Schultz. “We are still in discussions with three excellent cities and are looking forward to a diverse and inclusive convention that displays our party’s values.”

The cities in final contract negotiations with the DNC are Columbus, New York, and Philadelphia.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement recognizing the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade:

“Today is the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, solidifying a woman's autonomy to make her own decisions regarding her health and family.

“It is with a perverse sense of cruelty that Republicans would choose today for an attempt to chip away at these protections with a bill that would undermine women’s access to safe and affordable healthcare and shows what the GOP’s true priorities are. Time and again, the American people have soundly rejected extreme Republican efforts to insert themselves into health care decisions best left to women, their family, and their doctors.

“Congressional Republicans continue to waste taxpayer time and money by focusing on their outdated, ideological agenda instead of economic policies that will help the middle class. So long as Republicans insist on refighting these battles, Democrats will continue to stand up for women and defend access to health care.”

During tonight’s State of the Union, Barack Obama laid out a vision for an economy that grows from the middle-class out, and makes sure the playing field is level for all Americans – especially young people.

He’s already got a record to be proud of…

• Passed the Affordable Care Act, that has helped decrease the uninsured rate for 19 to 25 year olds and all Americans, led to a significant drop in how much young people were paying out of pocket for medical care, and helped 3 million young adults stay on their parents’ insurance.
• The Administration's Pay As You Earn Program is helping students
• Invested in Pell Grants, helping make college more affordable
• Stated his commitment to net neutrality
• Pushed for equal pay for women
• Endorsed and fought for marriage equality
• Negotiated a “historic” climate change deal with China

And that’s just a few of his accomplishments. Tonight, the President laid out an agenda that will build on that progress – helping  make college more accessible and less expensive, by granting two years of free community college to any American willing to work for it. For a generation focused on filling the jobs and creating the businesses of tomorrow, this matters. The President’s continued fight for a level playing field for America’s young people is making a difference for the millennial generation, which is likely what’s contributing to his 60% approval rating with Americans under 40.

Meanwhile, the Republicans trotted out Joni Ernst, a Senator who would cut would cut Pell Grants and privatize student loans, while raking in donations from big banks. It’s no shock, then, that both the student lending industry and for-profit colleges have reason to be excited about the prospect of a GOP Congress. While the President and Democrats are focused on helping the middle class and young people get ahead, the Republican party is focused on helping the billionaires and big banks that bankroll their campaigns.

Put simply: Middle class economics is the right path for our generation. The GOP’s broken, trickle-down policies are a failed product of a generation gone by.

Given the important agenda the Administration is laying out for America’s young people, College Democrats President Natasha McKenzie released the following statement:

The proposals President Obama laid out tonight are game-changers for America’s young people. We share his vision for an economy that works for everyone—not just the well-heeled and well-off that have political influence. All we’re asking for is a chance to have meaningful careers and make a difference, and to know that rules aren’t stacked against us. The President’s middle-class economics help to level the playing field so all young people can get ahead. The old, broken, trickle down experiment has failed young people for decades, and we look forward to fighting with the President for a future that gives everyone a chance to succeed.

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement following President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight, President Obama used his State of the Union address to offer an assessment of where we are as a nation, remind us of the obstacles we’ve overcome in recent years, and provide a vision of where our nation is headed.

“It was exactly six years ago that President Obama was sworn into office. He inherited an economy that had been losing 750,000 jobs per month, the housing market’s bubble had burst, and the auto industry was in danger of collapsing.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, we put an end to the trickle down policies that failed and restored an emphasis on middle class economics. We experienced our 58th straight month of private sector job growth. The unemployment rate is at its lowest point since 2008. The auto industry is thriving once again and millions more Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.

“Now, it is our responsibility to ensure that all Americans can share in our success. We need to ensure that middle class families have their shot at the American dream; where every American has the peace of mind to know that when they get sick, they have health insurance, can afford to send their child to college and to retire with dignity.

“Republicans need to stop stacking the deck in favor of corporations and the wealthiest among us and against working families looking to get ahead. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans and the GOP’s 2016 hopefuls have shown little desire to work toward this goal. Instead of doubling down on failed, trickle-down economics that would reverse the progress we’ve seen, they should work with President Obama and Democrats in Congress to enact policies that put middle class families first.”