Ayana Bias: Complete your census now and start moving mountains
What if I told you that there’s a simple step you can take that will strongly affect every part of your family and community for the next 10 years and will only take 10 minutes to complete? Could I count you in?
What if I told you that your voice needs to be heard, that there’s a difference you can make, and that you have a way to fight back if you’re frustrated about conditions in your community? Would you be willing to be heard and be counted?
Right now, we all have a unique opportunity to do exactly that — by completing the 2020 U.S. Census. But we’re down to the wire: With the deadline moved up to Sept. 30, we all need to act quickly to get an accurate count for DC. That’s how we ensure our neighborhoods get the funding and resources they need for everyone to thrive. And when all of us are counted, it will amplify our voices and give us the power to shape our future.
There’s power in numbers
In recent years, DC has received $8,700 per resident per year in federal funding that’s affected by the census. The 2010 census didn’t include everyone in DC — thousands of people weren’t counted — which means that for the past decade we haven’t been getting all the funding we deserve. When residents don’t understand why the census is conducted or why it’s important for them to complete it, this is the result. We all miss out.
I lead the census outreach efforts at United Planning Organization (UPO), a nonprofit with a 57-year history of helping DC’s low-income residents on their journey to self-sufficiency and success, and I am often asked why I care so much about a form we are all asked to fill out once a decade.
For starters, I was born and raised in Southeast DC. My parents were involved in our community and gave my life a strong foundation. I attended DC Public Schools and became a proud graduate of both Anacostia High School and Trinity Washington University. I am a product of Ward 8, and I owe everything to my family and community. They made me who I am today.
I grew up feeling like I had access to so much, and I want my children and all children in the community to feel the same way — to experience high-quality education, extracurriculars, cultural activities, and everything that will help them reach their full potential. But the sad truth is that many opportunities are being sliced away. Field trips aren’t as frequent (if they’re even offered). Music and art programs are being cut. Mental-health specialists and guidance counselors aren’t available in every school. And I grew up with a nearby Boys & Girls Club that isn’t there anymore. So many kids are missing out in so many ways.
I’m passionate about the census because I’m passionate about bringing out greatness — and because the best asset in our communities is our people, especially our children. Kids born today will be in fifth grade by the time the next census comes around. So, what you do — or don’t do — this year will affect your kids, my kids and our community’s kids for the rest of their childhood.
My children are 3, 7 and 10, and you know what fires me up? Thinking about how they will be 13, 17 and 20 the next time we have this opportunity to speak up and create change — and wondering how their lives will be shaped by what we say and do right now. Standing up to be counted is standing up to make our voices heard. This is how we achieve our dream of becoming a fully funded DC that proactively prevents issues related to housing, education, health and safety and ensures everyone has the ability to thrive. If we don’t advocate to make the changes we want to see, we’ll keep recycling the same issues and problems over and over again, and our communities will drift and fade away. Our power will disappear. We can’t let that happen.
Waking people up
When I talk to people in the community, I hear a lot of understandable reasons that people are hesitant to complete their census. So let me clear the air.
If you’re worried about giving away personal information, think of it this way: If I have a 15-minute conversation with you, I could likely complete your census for you. You give away far more about yourself on social media than you would through a census. And everything you send is 100% confidential. It’s simply not possible for anyone else to gain access to that information.
If you’re worried your voice won’t actually make a difference, consider this: We all have a part to play. We need many people and perspectives to create momentum. And here’s a bonus: Completing your census is an easy, quick and safe way to start advocating in a global pandemic — for yourself and your neighbors.
These are the kinds of conversations I have with DC residents when I’m encouraging them to complete their census and spread the word to their personal networks. There is truly no aspect of life that is untouched by the census. It determines funding for more than 300 federal programs, and it drives so many other decisions that affect our lives. So when I talk to people, I can easily find an entry point. Whether it’s the quality of local schools, hospital access and capacity, a lack of nearby grocery stores, social injustice or limited transportation options, there’s always a connection. I talk about how their greatest concerns directly relate to the census — and there’s almost always an “aha!” moment. All the dots connect, and they understand both the opportunity and the urgency. They’re excited about it.
Getting creative to get everyone counted
The pandemic definitely has made our outreach efforts a little tricky, but our team pivoted and continues to make an impact. In the spring, we adapted our in-person community events (e.g., painting parties, trivia nights) to Facebook Live events, virtual panel discussions and radio promotions. And over the summer, we started safely connecting with community members in person with pop-up census engagement events across wards 7 and 8. We are partnering with Martha’s Table to distribute food at our Petey Greene Community Center and with Marty’s Food & Catering to host socially distanced events like fish fries, cookouts, health and fitness demonstrations, and more. And we are working with local musicians to write a go-go song to promote the census because we’re all about creativity.
So yes, I am passionate about the census. And you need to be, too. You and I can change the world, and completing the census is our first step. From there, we can move mountains together.
Ayana Bias is the director of advocacy and volunteer services at the United Planning Organization. She can be reached at abias@upo.org.
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