One Day at a time 🦾

Today Early voting starts. Last year we sent a message to the mayor that he couldn’t take the money from the Council on Aging and the Library. Now it’s time to renew. Go send another clear message and vote yes. Our seniors deserve these resources. It’s a benefit to the community.

I’m Black first. This nation was founded treating Black people as property, and even today there are ongoing efforts to restrict Black political and economic power. Conservatives will try to gaslight you, but I prefer facts. Under @mayorbmscott and @govwesmoore, Baltimore has seen its lowest homicide levels in decades. Even Stephen A. Smith had to ask Officer Tatum what’s wrong with identifying as Black first when you understand America’s history and its relationship with Black people. I know exactly who I am, and I’m not afraid to say it. Share if you care. 🦾

On the tour of North Baton Rouge this week, we stopped in Ghost Town to see a house redevelopment project being led by @taneshia.flowers. A few years ago, Taneshia called me about the challenges she was facing trying to acquire a house across the street from her grandmother. I told her she needed to take her issue directly to Mayor Broome because many of the people she was dealing with simply didn’t have the authority to help. She got the meeting, and the result was her being able to acquire the property. I wanted to highlight Taneshia’s project because it shows what’s possible when government works with people instead of creating obstacles. It also serves as an example for this administration of how cutting red tape can help move communities forward. Last year, Taneshia called me again after some kids in her neighborhood got into trouble for jumping a fence to swim in a BREC pool. I reached out to people whose organizations receive funding to serve that community. One response I got was, “You expect me to knock on their door?” My answer was simple: yes. Those young people needed resources, guidance, and engagement—not arrests. It’s important people know that community members were actively trying to help those kids before things escalated. A tour with me is never a fluff session. I’m not under contract with the Mayor’s Office or anyone else to do this. I agreed to do this tour because I’ve spent more than a decade pushing for investment in North Baton Rouge. No matter who occupies City Hall, I’m going to advocate for taxpayers in North Baton Rouge to receive the investment and opportunities we deserve. The question for Mayor Edwards is whether his administration can execute and improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods we toured. Time will tell. I show up because I care about my people and my community in every season. This is what consistency looks like. No matter who’s in power, I’m going to push for North Baton Rouge while highlighting both what has been done and what is still possible. Doing my part. Share if you care 🦾

Spent part of Friday showing folks from the other side of town ways we can directly improve the quality of life for tax payers in North Baton Rouge. This park is a 200 acre asset, but it has a bridge down and tires in the park. This isn’t a new problem. The bridge has been down for over a decade. BREC hasn’t made it a priority but we are spending $50 - $80 million on the LSU Lakes, this trail is less than a mile from Southern University. We can’t continue to invest in one area of town and let the other side sit in decay. @mayorsidedwards said he wanted people to see the things I showed him. Time will tell if the improvements happen. I’ve been fighting for North Baton Rouge for a decade. If we don’t speak up for our communities others will define the narrative and we the people end up on the short end of the stick. Speak the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Doing my part and then some, always. This is real life Civics for the People. Share if you care 🦾

North Baton Rouge is often discussed as a liability, today I led a tour with @mayorsidedwards to talk about our assets. This started because I called the mayor out about inaction in North Baton Rouge, to his credit after we talked he asked me to show him. A few months ago I did. Today we showed people in business and philanthropy different parts of North Baton Rouge. Mayor Edwards knows where I stand politically, he also knows I’m serious about improving North Baton Rouge. Showing is one thing, doing is a different thing all together. I’m in the doing business, so it is my hope that something will be done to address some of these issues in North Baton Rouge. To improve the quality of life for the people in the North. For a decade plus I’ve been consistent in saying we need to invest in North Baton Rouge. I’m going to keep pushing until we see it through. We got work to do

If you live in Louisiana, tell me what you think and what parish or city you’re from. Rep. Dixon McMakin spent this legislative session supporting efforts that stripped seats of power from Black communities. Then he attended the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Sine Die celebration at the end of session. Rather than give my opinion, I want to hear yours. I’m going to share some of your responses with legislators. Share if you care 🦾

Yall gone hear me one day. Black turnout exceeded white turnout in Louisiana’s May election. Black voters are 31% of registered voters, but made up 34% of the people who showed up. I was on here every day telling y’all to vote because this is what happens when Black people participate at higher rates. We influence elections the same way we influence culture. Jeff Landry lost all 5 constitutional amendments. Even in Republican parishes, voters rejected his agenda. Never underestimate the power of informed, organized Black voters. And to be clear, this happened while Black folks are underfunded in this work in Louisiana. One thing the record will always show is, I did my part. Share if you care 🦾

Hillar Moore has been the District Attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish since 2009. We’ve had over 2000 homicides since then. He’s never been challenged until now. @ryankeiththompson is running to be the next District Attorney for East Baton Rouge Parish. If you’re with me and #RunningwithRyan follow him, donate to his campaign, sign up to knock doors. It’s time for new leadership. Share if you care 🦾

These four Black men are the only Black people elected to serve in Congress from Louisiana since the 1870s. Louisiana has elected more than 170 white men to Congress during that same period. Yet today, a corrupt Supreme Court, a puppet governor, and a weak-backed legislature have decided to strip elected power from Black people. That means other people decide how our tax dollars are invested in our communities. I spoke with @repcleofields_, @reptroycarter, former Rep. @cedric_richmond, and former Rep. William Jefferson about why they went to the Louisiana State Capitol to testify against the congressional maps being pushed through. For years, I’ve been saying what happens in Louisiana will impact America. Here we are. This week, the Louisiana House of Representatives plans to pass maps that dilute Black voting power. Our response cannot be silence. Our response has to be showing up in numbers this November and beginning the work of taking power back.

Governor Jeff Landry lost at the ballot box Saturday and came out swinging. Amendment 1 — the proposal that would’ve expanded his authority over state workers — got crushed. More than 600,000 Louisianans voted against it. Then he claimed Don Lemon led protesters into a church. Don was there as a reporter covering a protest. Those aren’t the same thing. People can disagree on politics, but facts still matter. Louisiana voters sent a message Saturday. They rejected Jeff’s constitutional amendments for a second straight year. Jeff is now 0-9 on ballot measures sent to voters. That’s a hell of a record for somebody who talks like they can’t lose. And now he’s back on his bullsh*t. Republicans in the legislature should look at the election results and ask themselves if they want to pivot or sink with Jeff. Your choice. Jeff never cared about helping working class people in Louisiana. He’s chasing conservative dreams while creating America’s latest nightmare. The voters will have the final say.

Today is Election Day. Go vote No on all 5 Constitutional Amendments Vote Jamie Davis for US Senate In EBR vote for Caulette Jackson-Guillard for Judge if on your ballot. Share if you care 🦾

Shoutout to @mariangbaiwon and @katii3bug for kicking off @louisianadeservesbetter the effort to recall Jeff Landry. The location here is 2320 Drusilla Lane. Trust me you’ll see the line. People are parkIng at the park a few doors down and every parking lot between. Gov. Jeff Landry and Republicans may be waking up a sleeping giant with the racism of these maps. It’s people of all backgrounds and ages standing in that line in the middle of the day on a Friday. I asked the people in line if they were voting tomorrow everyone yelled yes. I asked how are you voting on the governors amendments, everybody yelled No. You have power in your hands right now to sign the recall and vote No on all 5 Amendments tomorrow. Power to the People, always. #KeepPushing good sisters 🦾

Respectability politics has never worked for Black people — and it never will with people who don’t respect you to begin with. For years I’ve been told to change my approach. Today I challenge those in leadership to consider that the approach they’ve been using got our s*** stolen. The strategy now has to be to take something back from them — power. I’ve been doing this work for over a decade. Folks didn’t partner with me or support me when I ran because I was considered “radical” — as if demanding equity is radical. It’s time for a different approach. A different posture. One with some fight in it. I’m leaning in regardless — I’m just wondering how many of us are ready now. Share if you care 🦾

On redistricting, remember... Having first cut Medicaid from so many people one year ago, Republicans are now diluting the voting power of districts that have high percentages of people on Medicaid.

In 250 years, Louisiana has sent 171 white men to Congress. During Reconstruction, Black people were elected and denied their seats. Only one Black man — Charles Nash — served in the 1800s. Then from 1877 to 1990, Louisiana sent zero Black people to Congress. Zero. For 113 years. In 1990, Black Louisiana finally got a member of Congress again. Since then, white voters have elected 25 members. Black voters have had 4. All 4 were in the same room fighting to keep the two seats Black Louisiana fought for. Don’t tell us this isn’t about denying Black people representation. It always has been. @repcleofields_ and @reptroycarter were joined by former Congressman Cedric Richmond and William Jefferson to let the record be clear that Black voters are due fair maps. This image should put things into perspective for you. Today at the state Capitol, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will vote on which congressional map Louisiana will have. Share if you care 🦾

I joined @rolandsmartin to talk Louisiana early vote numbers. Election Day is Saturday. A message can be sent to Jeff KLandry right now. Do your part and tell your network show up this Saturday. There is a lot going on for entertainment, handle your business first.

Today is the last day to early vote in Louisiana. Only 7% of the state has shown up to the polls so far. That means 93% of the state still hasn’t voted. Somebody you text, somebody you work with, somebody in your family, somebody reading this right now still hasn’t gone. Don’t just consume the content. Do your part. If you haven’t voted, go vote. If you have, call or text somebody else and make sure they go. Each one reach one. Share if you care 🦾

Let the record show that Louisiana had some Black men who spoke truth to power. Let the record show that Republicans in the Louisiana Senate are not leaders. They are a reflection of some of the worst parts of America, and history will remember them in 4K. Next week, this committee will vote on Louisiana’s congressional maps. Anything less than two Black seats is theft. They have already begun taking seats of power from us, so we need to begin the work of taking seats from them. If you agree with me, use your voice. Start showing up. Tell your friends what’s happening. Make it a priority. This isn’t a drill. We aren’t being alarmist. The shit has hit the fan, and it’s on us now. Click the link in my bio to support Civics for the People. We aren’t just going to talk about it — we’re going to educate, organize, and mobilize the people. Don’t ever get it twisted: nobody takes anything from you that isn’t valuable. Share if you care 🦾

I’ve encouraged y’all to vote for years. So today I don’t give a damn about who feels shamed — because some of y’all need to be shamed. One day into early voting. Democrats turned out 35,498 voters. Republicans 32,051. But 901,000 Black registered voters in Louisiana have not moved yet. How bad does it have to get? They have to put the sign up on the plantation for you to take this shit serious? Jefferson Parish — 68,500 Black voters sitting at home. Caddo — 70,000. Lafayette — 37,500. These are not small numbers. These are elections. I don’t care that Democrats are outperforming Republicans. I care that Black people have the numbers to send a real message and too many are sitting on their asses. Voting NO on all 5 of Jeff Landry’s amendments sends a message to a legislature that is coming for your representation right now. Your life costs more. Your world is less safe. Your rights are being stripped daily. Now your representation is next. Y’all ready to listen? Text 10 people. Tell them to go early vote. If I can do this research and put it in your face — you can share it and go vote. Click the link in my bio to support the work of Civics for the People. Informing the people empowers the people. Share if you care. 🦾