The National Black Nonpartisan Redistricting Organization (NBNRO) was established to provide an African American voice to redistricting matters occurring nationwide as a result of the 2020 census. The NBNRO believes that redistricting represents the third prong in the overall protection of voting rights, alongside voter registration and the right to vote. All three are required to ensure that Black and minority voters’ votes count and are not diluted. NBNRO’s goals are the following:
- Help educate Black and minority communities on redistricting
- Work with the Black and minority communities in participating in their federal, state, and local redistricting processes;
- Liaison with redistricting software companies and other experts to help promote the use of their products
- Conduct research to assist Black and minority community members in developing plans and maps for redistricting efforts in their states and their communities
- Provide information on redistricting efforts in their states
- Develop a redistricting database to assist Black and minority communities in engaging and submitting information on their voting districts
- Foster relationships between Black and minority communities and experts to help develop maps and other information on communities of interest and voting districts
- Ensure that Black and minority communities have a voice in the redistricting process in their respective states.
We believe the right to vote and have that vote count are paramount and to citizens’ ability to participate in this democracy.
Put the Power in Our Hands
Political parties have systematically canceled the votes (and voices) of Black, Latino, and other under-represented Virginians in a process known as gerrymandering. Gerrymandering or redistricting allows politicians to concentrate their power by picking who they want as their voters instead of the other way around. It’s time for fair maps. It’s time to give power back to the people.
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Strengthen the voices of Virginians, not politicians and political parties
Meet
Our
Leaders
Phillip Thompson
Executive Director
Phillip Thompson has dedicated his entire life to fighting for justice. In the US Marine Corps, he served as a Staff Judge Advocate and then went on to serve in the US Navy Office of the General Council at the US Department of the Interior. In 2014, he was elected President of the Loudoun County, VA NAAAPC and soon after became an Executive Committee member of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. Now, as Executive Director of the NBNRO, he will fight for just and fair representation for every citizen in the country.
Meet
Our
Leaders
Michael Futrell
President
Michael Futrell’s intimate knowledge of the legislative process and his tireless commitment to public service make him the perfect champion for nonpartisan maps. In 2013, Futrell made history as the first person of color to represent Stafford County Virginia in the General Assembly. As a Delegate, Futrell served on numerous committees and commissions, including Finance, Privileges and Elections Committee, Science and Technology Committee, Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, and the Block Grants Commission. The NBNRO welcomes his leadership and expertise.