ABOUT FAIR COUNT AND THE 2020 CENSUS

In 2020 the Census Bureau will conduct the decennial count of every person in America. The long-term impact this count will have on communities is resounding as the census guides reapportionment, redistricting, and directs nearly $1.5 trillion dollars annually to communities across the nation. For every person missed by the count, states lose thousands of dollars a year (in Georgia it is $3600/person).

The census isn’t just some simple tally of how many people are in America at a time, the census determines if a community will spend the next decade underserved and underfunded. The Urban Institute is predicting one of the largest undercounts of Black and LatinX populations in decades. Both communities, along with others such as small children, immigrants, renters, LGBTQ and more, are what the Census Bureau often refers to as Hard to Count (HTC) populations. Fair Count is committed to ensuring that all Hard to Count communities are fairly and accurately counted in the 2020 Census.

About Fair Count:

Fair Count, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Stacey Abrams, is committed to getting a fair and accurate count in Georgia and the nation in the 2020 Census, particularly in HTC groups while strengthening pathways to civic participation. This work will be crucial as challenges of the 2020 Census are great. Learn more about Fair Count’s work at www.FairCount.org. 

FOR BLACK MEN, BY BLACK MEN

The Urban Institute predicts anywhere from 900,000 to 4 million people nationwide are at risk of being undercounted including roughly 67,000 Black men in Georgia. Black men represent one of the most historically undercounted groups with net undercount rates reaching 10% for some age groups in 2010. 

Every ten years, Black men are undercounted in the census, diminishing their political power and keeping them from the resources they deserve.

On May 16th, 2019, Fair Count, along with Stacey Abrams and former United States Attorney General Eric Holder, launched Georgia’s first statewide Complete Count Committee— Black Men Count—  dedicated to closing the gap and achieving a fair and accurate count of Black men in the 2020 Census.

Black Men Count is comprised of Black men who serve as community leaders across the state. It is co-chaired by former Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell, Bishop Reginald Jackson, Presiding Prelate of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 6th District, Co-founder, and CEO of the Gathering Spot Ryan Wilson, City Manager of Columbus Isaiah Hugley and 100 Black Men of Atlanta Executive Director Anthony Flynn.

WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR BLACK MEN:

• The loss of $241 million in resources for communities each year if the estimated 67,000 Black men in Georgia go uncounted.

• When Black children are undercounted, schools and programs suffer. Head start programs lose funding, schools become overcrowded and under-resourced,  and our students have to work harder than their peers in other districts to be successful. 

• When communities are undercounted it affects the willingness of businesses and investors to bring their companies to these communities because of a perceived decline in population, causing our communities to miss out on job opportunities.

A FEW FAST FACTS:

• Nationally, 9.3 percent of the Black population went uncounted in the 2010 Census.

• 15.6% of black males ages 18-29 were omitted from the 2010 Census; 

• 16.7% (or one out of six) of black males between 30-49 were omitted;  

• 9.2 % of black males over the age of 50 were omitted.

If they can erase us from the story of America they can erase us from the future of America.

- Stacey Abrams

TAKE ACTION

Help make sure Black men in Georgia and the nation are counted in 2020. You can also use this form to volunteer as a Count Captain for your neighborhood, place of worship, sports team, etc. and stay informed on what’s happening with Fair Count.

Ed@FairCount.org | 404-835-2891 | www.FairCount.org

BLACK MEN SPEAK