New York Census 2020 African Coalition’s “Get out the Count” has held in April 17, 2020 a teleconference to amplify the importance of the census as it is celebrating Immigrant Heritage Week.
“Our goal is to increase the self – response, self – engagement, and enforce a great collaboration, ” Famod Koney the deputy director of Census 2020 Partnership said.
According to Famod New York City did not do well ten years ago when it comes to get New York City people counted. That bad experience has motivated the City to allocating $19 million to grass root organizations to help spread the word about the importance of getting counted.
Six organizations from African community are among organizations that have been funding as they actively work with community groups. “ We rely on those organizations to arise awareness,” said Famod who has also focused on self – response as he has invited people to go online and fill out the form.
For Mohamed Mardeh the Chairman of African Advisory Council of the Bronx Borough President Office, “there are political, social and economic power in play” in the census.
“ It is so critical that everyone get counted,” Bukola Shonuga from Yankasa association, added.
Statistics show actually that 39 % of New Yorkers have already fill out the online form. There are 40 % in the Bronx, 41 % in Manhattan, and 43 % in Staten Island. “ That number is encouraging but we need to do more,” Famod said.
“Don’t only wait people to come and knock your door, just go online and fill out the form,” Consolatie Uwera from Sauti Yetu said.
According to Ramata Sy from “USA – Mali Charitable Association,” “ a lot people do not know how important the census is?” “ Your child education, and when he gets food stamp all that is because of the census,” she added.
Sara M. is a specialist for the census bureau. “ census is used for every response: schools, hospitals, etc. It is really important,” she said.
The same message was addressed in different languages by David Coulibaly from “African Communities Together,” Assetou Sy from “USA – Mali Charitable Association,” Mack Thiam from Senegal, Isaac Asumani from “Beyond Our Status Congolese Alliance.”
There were indeed diverse voices to address a unique issue to a diversity of communities as they spoke in English, French, Wolof, Bambara, Fulani, and Swahili.
The self – response has been extended to October 11, 2020. So, go online and fill out the form here: https://my2020census.gov/
The tele conference panelists have indeed invited African community to get counted as they are celebrating “ Immigrant Heritage Week.” And they focus their attention on how to raise kids in America. They are all agree that we are responsible to raise our kids in a convenient way, to get them the resources they need, to teach them the African culture, moral, and languages.
They need all the resources to live a better life. So, get counted will help.
Bazona Barnabe Bado