In celebration of Black History Month, the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law in partnership with Howard University School of Law and American University Washington College of Law convened a panel of AfroLatinx Legal professionals from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

The Panel titled “AfroLatinx and the Law: Opportunities in Legal Advocacy” was organized by student LatinX associations and highlighted the critical importance of participating in the 2020 Census.

The expectation is that the 2020 census will provide an opportunity for the AfroLatinx community to be counted as a distinct segment of the U.S. Latinx population. Panelists encouraged community members to trust the census process and participate.

The census is critical for this ethnically, racially and linguistically different segment of the U.S. population. It will facilitate a more accurate representation of the community. The data will help states, counties, and cities implement targeted programs in the areas of education, health, public safety, economics, energy, business opportunities, and the environment. The AfroLatinx community will continue advocating for the data that will provide them a seat and a voice to be heard when programs and projects are being prepared and executed.