African American Engagement Office Explained

An African American Engagement Office is a United States-based center established by Republican Party operatives in an effort to secure the votes of African Americans. Currently there are two African American Engagement Offices, one in Charlotte, North Carolina^[1] and one in Detroit, Michigan. First established in late 2013, the offices are part of the Republican National Committee's $10 million voter engagement push in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.^[2]

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul presided over the inauguration of Detroit's African American Engagement Office in December 2013.^{[3] [4]} The office's current national director is Ashley Bell^[5] and its Deputy National Director is Ayshia Connors.^{[6] [7]}

Notes and References

1. News: Curtis . Mary C. . Mary C. Curtis . GOP launches minority outreach in N.C., defends voter law in court . Washington Post . October 22, 2013.
2. News: Whitesides. John. Black voters skeptical of Republican Party's $10 million campaign to win them over. Raw Story. Reuters. July 11, 2014.
3. News: Woods. Ashley. GOP Taps Rand Paul To Open Minority Outreach Office. Huffington Post. November 22, 2013.
4. News: Edwards. Breanna. GOP Opens Outpost in Detroit, Hoping to Woo African-American Voters. The Root. December 6, 2013. July 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140823233149/http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2013/12/gop_opens_outpost_in_detroit_hoping_to_woo_african_american_voters.html. August 23, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
5. Web site: Agboola. Adedamola . Trump Administration Appoints Its First Minority Director to the Small Business Administration. Black Enterprise. February 21, 2018 .
6. Web site: Burke. Lauren Victoria. RNC Hires Deputy Director for African American Engagement. NBC. October 6, 2016 .
7. Web site: Gangitano. Alex. Black Republican Staffer Association Membership Has Doubled. Roll Call. March 30, 2017.