President Joe Biden will lead commemorations this week marking the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education — one of the more pivotal moments in the civil rights movement.
Administration officials noted that the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education serves as “a reminder of the progress made and the work yet to be done in pursuing justice and equality for all Americans.”
On Thursday, Biden plans to host a meeting at the White House with the plaintiffs from the historic case and their families, a meeting the White House said, underscores the lasting impact of the unanimous 1954 decision, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
On Friday, the president plans to deliver remarks at a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) event at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAHC) in Washington, D.C., commemorating the anniversary.
The White House said Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will convene with the leaders of the Divine Nine, historically Black sororities and fraternities, on Friday. Harris, a graduate of Howard University and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, brings a personal resonance to the engagement.
“Brown v. Board was a defining moment for our country and its future,” officials from the Legal Defense Fund stated while highlighting the ongoing work to ensure equal educational opportunities for everyone.
Biden and Black Voters
The Brown v. Board of Education events precede Biden’s scheduled appearances on Sunday, where he will directly engage with Black voters and communities, as he plans to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse College, a historically Black institution in Atlanta, and later speak at an NAACP dinner in Detroit.
Throughout the week, Biden is expected to highlight his administration’s efforts toward racial justice and equity, including policies benefiting the Black community.
A White House official cited record-low Black unemployment, significant investments in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), expanded Affordable Care Act coverage, and the historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court as key accomplishments.
The president’s outreach to Black voters comes amidst looming electoral challenges. The Black Press of America and Black voters played a crucial role in Biden’s 2020 victory, and administration officials admit that their support remains vital for his reelection prospects.
Recent polling suggests a significant lead for Biden among Black voters, with a USA Today poll indicating a 64% to 12% advantage over former President Donald Trump.
“Biden got into office with the votes of urban Black people,” Anita Shelton, of DC Women in Politics, told The Informer last year.
