What did Joe Biden & Kamala Harris accomplish for Black Americans

The Biden-Harris administration is dedicated to implementing transformative policies and initiatives that uplift Black Americans, particularly in economic opportunity, education, and healthcare. Notably, President Biden has appointed more Black women to federal appeals courts than all previous presidents combined, showcasing a commitment to diversity and representation.

Economic Advancement and Wealth Building

The Biden-Harris administration has successfully enacted policies that have led to significant economic advancements for Black Americans, focusing on enhancing access to quality employment, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting wealth accumulation. By August 2024, these initiatives resulted in the lowest recorded unemployment rate for Black individuals and the creation of 2.4 million jobs specifically for Black workers. Additionally, the rate of Black American business ownership surged at the highest pace in over thirty years, with the proportion of Black households owning businesses more than doubling from 2019 to 2022. The administration also increased Small Business Administration-backed loans to Black-owned enterprises threefold and allocated a groundbreaking $10 billion in federal contracts to Black-owned small businesses in Fiscal Year 2023. Furthermore, Black household wealth experienced a remarkable 60% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures, representing the largest growth on record. Investments were strategically directed towards improving infrastructure in underserved communities and enhancing funding for critical areas like broadband access, thereby connecting over 5.5 million Black households to affordable high-speed internet.

Reduction in Poverty and Housing Equity

Policy and Executive Actions for Racial Equity

During President Biden's administration, there has been a remarkable reduction in child poverty among Black Americans, with 400,000 Black children lifted out of poverty thanks to enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic halved Black child poverty, positively impacting 600,000 Black children and achieving unprecedented reductions in racial poverty disparities. In the housing sector, the administration addressed racial bias in home appraisals, successfully narrowing the Black-white home valuation gap by 40%.

Additionally, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program provided crucial support to Black families at risk of eviction during the pandemic, focusing on communities with high eviction rates and predominantly Black neighborhoods. Furthermore, the reduction of mortgage insurance premiums for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans has saved 76,000 Black households an average of $900 annually. A third-party evaluation has shown that these policies have enabled over 250,000 Black Americans to achieve homeownership during Biden's term.

President Biden has taken decisive steps to promote racial equity within the federal government by combining key appointments with impactful executive actions. On his very first day in office, he enacted Executive Order 13985, which established a comprehensive strategy to enhance equity for people of color and other marginalized groups.

In 2023, this commitment was further solidified with Executive Order 14091, which mandated that federal agencies integrate equity into every aspect of their operations and regularly update their equity action plans. Legislative measures such as the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act have been designed to address economic, health, and housing inequalities that disproportionately affect Black and other marginalized communities.

Federal agencies have developed Equity Action Plans aimed at removing obstacles faced by Black individuals and other underserved groups. These initiatives have yielded significant outcomes, including a notable decrease in child poverty rates among Black children, increased funding for historically Black colleges and universities, initiatives to rectify systemic inequities in criminal justice and housing, and a remarkable decline in the uninsured rate within communities of color. Additionally, the administration has made substantial investments in small disadvantaged businesses, particularly those owned by minorities, and has worked diligently to enhance Black representation among contractors and procurement recipients.

Education: Historic Investments and Opportunity

The Biden-Harris administration has made unprecedented strides in education funding, particularly for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). From 2021 to 2024, more than $17 billion was dedicated to HBCUs, which are vital for enhancing Black economic and social mobility. Additionally, a significant $900 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award—the largest in ten years—has been secured, aiding over 60% of Black undergraduates who depend on these grants. Furthermore, K-12 education in Black communities has seen historic funding through the American Rescue Plan, with $130 billion aimed at recovery, academic advancement, and mental health support.

New programs have broadened preschool access, promoted school diversity through magnet initiatives, and enhanced teacher diversity via the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Grant program. The administration has also relieved nearly $180 billion in student loan debt for around 6 million Americans, including a substantial number of Black borrowers who are disproportionately affected by student debt.

Expanded Access to Health Care

The administration has made significant strides in reducing health care disparities by dramatically boosting Black American enrollment in the Affordable Care Act, resulting in a remarkable 95% increase that equates to nearly 1.7 million more Black Americans gaining health coverage since 2020.

This initiative has led to an average reduction of $800 in health insurance premiums for millions, alongside crucial reforms in prescription drug pricing, such as capping insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries, which is particularly vital given the elevated rates of diabetes among Black Americans. Furthermore, maternal health has been a focal point, with Medicaid postpartum coverage expanded from 60 days to a full 12 months in 46 states and D.C., benefiting an additional 700,000 women each year—a vital advancement for Black maternal health, considering that 65% of births to Black mothers are financed by Medicaid.

Additionally, substantial investments have been made in mental health services within schools, effectively addressing treatment gaps in high-poverty areas that predominantly serve Black communities.

Criminal Justice Reform and Policing

Faced with challenges in passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act through Congress, President Biden took decisive action by signing a comprehensive Executive Order aimed at reforming federal policing.

This order introduced crucial measures such as restrictions on the use of force, a ban on chokeholds, limitations on no-knock warrants, and the establishment of the first national database for federal law enforcement misconduct. It also mandated the use of body-worn cameras, implemented anti-bias training, and enhanced accountability, setting a standard for local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, Biden granted pardons to thousands of individuals for simple marijuana possession, addressing racial disparities in drug-related convictions.

To further bolster community safety, the administration allocated $400 million for evidence-based violence intervention programs, launched the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and successfully passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, marking the most significant gun violence reduction legislation in nearly three decades.

Civil Rights, Voting Rights, and Representation

The administration prioritized equity, civil rights, and racial justice, implementing two significant Executive Orders that mandated the federal government to tackle systemic inequalities.

President Biden also signed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday and passed the groundbreaking Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which officially categorized lynching as a federal hate crime after over a century of advocacy.

Furthermore, the administration bolstered resources for voting rights protection by significantly increasing the number of enforcement attorneys at the Department of Justice and endorsing the bipartisan Electoral Reform Count Act, designed to ensure the integrity of presidential elections.

Executive actions further enhanced voter registration access and revived advisory and educational programs focused on promoting Black achievement and participation.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and her Accomplishments

Under the Biden administration, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke made remarkable strides in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), effectively tackling issues of racial violence, hate, and division. Her tenure stands out as one of the most significant in the agency's history, yet her contributions often went unnoticed. It is essential to recognize and celebrate her impactful work during this critical period.

Under the leadership of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, the Civil Rights Division achieved remarkable milestones:

• Prosecuting over 150 individuals for hate crimes with more than 125 convictions, including those involved in the tragic murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the El Paso shooting;

  
  

• Initiating 12 new investigations into law enforcement practices to tackle systemic issues across police departments nationwide;

  
  

• Securing convictions against 180 law enforcement officers for rights violations;

  
  

• enforcing desegregation orders in 135 school districts, benefiting nearly 900,000 students while combating discrimination based on race, gender, or disabilities;

  
  

• Holding banks accountable for discriminatory lending practices, resulting in $150 million directed to communities of color affected by redlining.

Judicial and Government Representation

Under President Joe Biden's leadership, the administration has set a remarkable standard for Black representation in federal judicial appointments, surpassing all previous records held by any U.S. president. Since taking office, Biden has appointed an impressive 63 Black judges to lifetime roles on the federal bench, a historic achievement that includes 40 Black women—the highest number ever appointed by a single president. This significant milestone spans all tiers of the federal judiciary, from U.S. District Courts to Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court. Notably, one of the most distinguished appointments is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who made history as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, highlighting Biden's unwavering dedication to enhancing diversity within the nation's highest court.

This administration has also prioritized the inclusion of Black Americans in prominent positions across various government sectors, judicial appointments, and advisory roles, significantly enhancing the representation and impact of Black leaders in shaping government policies.

President Biden's achievements in judicial appointments stand out remarkably when compared to those of his predecessors. For instance, while President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women, and President Obama appointed 62 Black lifetime judges with 26 being Black women, President Trump appointed only two Black women during his first term. However, what truly sets Biden's appointments apart is not just the numbers but the professional diversity they represent.

Nearly 40 percent of his appointees have significant experience in civil rights or public defense, which enriches the judiciary with a variety of perspectives and experiences, ultimately fostering greater public trust in the legal system.

The administration's initiatives have significantly transformed the circuit court landscape: since 2021, the Senate has confirmed 15 Black judges to federal appellate courts, with 13 of them being Black women. This milestone is particularly noteworthy considering that prior to President Biden's administration, only eight Black women had ever held such positions. These appointments are crucial, as district court judges frequently serve as the initial—and sometimes the ultimate—decision-makers on vital issues like health care, education, fair hiring practices, abortion, and voting rights, especially given that the Supreme Court hears a limited number of cases. The inclusion of Black judges in these critical roles not only enriches the legal decision-making process with diverse perspectives but also paves the way for dissenting opinions that could shape the future of U.S. law.

Broader Commitment to Government Representation

The Biden/Harris administration has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing Black representation not just in the judiciary but across all levels of government leadership. In the first 100 days, around 18% of agency appointees were Black or African American, and 24% of Biden's initial Cabinet consisted of African Americans, equating to six out of 25 Cabinet members.

This marks significant progress towards inclusivity at the highest levels of government. Notable appointments include Kamala Harris as the first Black woman Vice President, Lloyd Austin as the first Black Secretary of Defense, Cecilia Rouse as the first Black woman chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Michael Regan as the first Black man to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Furthermore, the administration is also focusing on 'feeder' leadership roles that pave the way for future high-level positions, with nominations like Stacey Dixon, the first Black Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Kristen Clarke, the first Black woman to lead the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Nonetheless, the administration recognizes that there are still gaps, especially in top leadership roles within economic and technology agencies, and is committed to improving the transparency and disaggregation of demographic data to ensure thorough representation.

Environmental Justice and Infrastructure

Strategic funding has been directed towards environmental justice, including a substantial $2 billion allocated for pollution remediation and clean energy initiatives aimed at low-income and minority communities.

Justice40 Initiative

The Justice40 Initiative stands as a fundamental element of the Biden administration's strategy, aiming to guarantee that a minimum of 40% of the benefits derived from specific federal investments in climate, clean energy, and other sectors are directed towards disadvantaged communities, particularly Black communities.

This initiative shapes the allocation of more than $1 trillion designated by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Rather than being a mere one-off investment, the Justice40 Initiative represents a significant shift in the federal government's approach to engaging with communities, prioritizing collaborations with local organizations.

The Biden administration is making a significant investment in infrastructure initiatives that will greatly benefit Black communities.

These efforts encompass:

**Reconnecting Communities**: Tackling the historical injustices inflicted by highway constructions that fragmented Black neighborhoods, with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dedicating $3.3 billion to projects that cap highways and enhance public transit in these areas.

**Clean Water**: Ensuring access to safe drinking water by modernizing water infrastructure and replacing lead pipes.

**Renewable Energy**: Committing to clean energy initiatives that aim to reduce energy expenses and minimize pollution, with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund providing $27 billion to support clean energy projects in low-income and marginalized communities.

**Community Resilience**: Strengthening community resilience through initiatives that increase tree cover, enhance parks, and mitigate extreme heat risks.

**Transportation Equity**: The Inflation Reduction Act features a Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant program designed to boost walkability, safety, and affordability, including projects that safeguard against extreme heat and flooding.

The Biden-Harris administration has introduced an extensive agenda focused on equity, aimed particularly at improving the social and economic status of Black Americans. This ambitious initiative signifies a significant advancement across various domains, such as job creation initiatives, entrepreneurial support mechanisms, expanded educational opportunities, improved access to healthcare services, progressive housing policies, reformative changes in the criminal justice system, strengthened civil rights protections, and a push for greater representation of Black Americans in government positions.