Charlamagne Tha God and T.I. are joining members of the Congressional Black Caucus at Capitol Hill to advocate for closing the wage gap, more funding and economic development in Black communities.
The initiative that was brought on by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act works to invest in low-income communities. Several celebrities and politicians applauded the forward-thinking policies. At a press conference, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) rejoiced in the impactful move.
“We have to make sure, as has already been said, that the community impact and those that are in the communities, that these developments are seeking to benefit, that they’re really at the forefront,” he said at a press conference. “And that’s what our congressional hearings on the Ways and Means Committee will focus on.” Atlanta-born rapper #TipHarris and radio host Charlamagne met with lawmakers in the upper chamber and discussed the works of the late Nipsey Hussle, who intended on meeting at Capitol himself before his sudden death in March. T.I. says he hopes to carry on Hussle’s mission.
“Everybody knows that Nipsey was pretty much the founder of the idea to bring everyone together who, you know, may individually be able to do great things and make a significant impact on their own in their communities,” he said. “But for us to come together, we can impact so, so many more communities and spread our efforts so much wider.”
The Hill reports Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.), a former rapper himself, is ecstatic about implementing the opportunity zones and says those “who come from these areas, who know the community” need to have all walks of life in the fight in order to see real change.
“We spoke about opportunity zones. You’re talking about not just an opportunity for folks who have been marginalized or exploited or left behind, you’re also talking about opportunity for hip-hop,” he said. “Because what hip-hop has done over its lifetime, has put brothers and sisters who’ve come from tough circumstances in a position to elevate their individual lives and at times their communities.” The proposal for expanding opportunity zones has received bipartisan support; Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) are leading the efforts on legislation in the Senate, according to The Hill.
