Draft:Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund



Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund (BMLC Fund) is an American 501(c)(4) organization that advocates for urban communities on issue areas including social and criminal justice, environmental justice, affordable housing, and economic equity..[1]. It also endorses candidates that support the Black American Muslim community[2].

BMLC Fund is the advocacy wing of Black Muslim Leadership Council (BMLC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to policy advocacy, voter turnout, civic education, and leadership development and training.

History

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BMLC Fund was founded in 2024 by Salima Suswell[3], an American political activist and community mobilizer[4].

Programs

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Policy Advocacy

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In coordination with BMLC, BMLC Fund advocates for policies that address discrimination and oppression.[5]

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

BMLC Fund maintains a Policy Agenda, which details policy efforts that support the unification and empowerment of the Black American Muslim community, as well as a Foreign Policy Agenda, which details BMLC Fund's commitment to the inherent dignity of all people and affirms global equal and inalienable rights.

Endorsements

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BMLC Fund endorses candidates who uphold the values of the Black American Muslim community, which includes standing up against systemic discrimination and efforts to build a more just, equitable future[7]

The endorsement process includes candidate questionnaires, candidate interviews, and candidate forums.

In August 2024, BMLC Fund announced its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the United States[8]

Leadership

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Since its founding in 2024, BMLC Fund has been led by Founder and CEO Salima Suswell.

BMLC Fund is overseen by a Board. BMLC Fund's work is strategically guided by the Black Muslim Leadership Political Roundtable,[9] which was first convened in December 2023 by Suswell. The Roundtable meets monthly.

References

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  1. ^ WRITER, Kiara Santos TRIBUNE STAFF (2024-03-08). "Nation's first council for Black Muslims launches in Philadelphia". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  2. ^ "Black Muslim group endorses Harris after its 'uncommitted' stance on Biden". NBC News. 2024-08-02. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  3. ^ "The BMLC wants to highlight the needs of Black Muslims". WHYY. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  4. ^ adminphilasun (2024-03-30). "A woman born to lead". The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  5. ^ "Policy Advocacy". BMLC Fund. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  6. ^ Armstrong, Jenice (2024-03-12). "Philly's new Black Muslim group seeks to pressure — not abandon — Biden over Gaza | Jenice Armstrong". https://www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-09-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  7. ^ Salam, Erum (2024-08-02). "Key Black Muslim group backs Kamala Harris for president over Gaza stance". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  8. ^ Salam, Erum (2024-08-02). "Key Black Muslim group backs Kamala Harris for president over Gaza stance". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  9. ^ "Black Muslim Leadership Political Roundtable".
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