Press Release: McDuffie Calls for Sweeping Investments in Black Communities to Address Covid Crisis and Eliminate the Racial Wealth Gap

For Release: Monday, March 1, 2021

Contact: Jonathan McNair

Urges the Mayor to advance a racial equity agenda that dismantles structural racism and empowers residents

Washington, DC – Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie released his FY 2022 budget request letter calling for resources to alleviate the immediate impacts of Covid, address Ward 5 constituent priorities, and advance a racial equity agenda that gives all residents a real fair shot. In the document, Councilmember McDuffie calls for a $120M dollar investment to eliminate the racial wealth gap including $100M for a guaranteed income program and $20M to develop and implement a District-based Baby Bond initiative.

“Centuries of slavery, segregation, and government-sanctioned discrimination have prevented Black Washingtonians from building wealth and becoming financially secure,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “We must be bold and intentional about closing the racial wealth gap and investing in historically underserved communities.”

In the letter, Councilmember McDuffie reiterates the urgent need of equitable vaccine distribution and targeted investments to support those hardest-hit by COVID. Additionally, He requests $156M for affordable housing and anti-displacement measures, $40M to support legacy and small business development, $9.5M to fund the NEAR Act and public safety priorities, $42.4M in library and recreation improvements, $11.6M in transportation and infrastructure investments, $2.6M for environmental justice priorities, and $3.2M in arts and culture initiatives.

A full copy of Councilmember McDuffie’s budget request letter can be found here.

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