The Louisiana Black Church Gubernatorial Forum 2023

Baton Rouge, LA (7/9/2023) – Seven denominations of Black Churches held the Black Church Gubernatorial Forum 2023 at the Southern University F. G. Clark Activity Center on Saturday, July 8. 2023.

The forum focused on the following topics, childhood education, access to the governor’s office, HBCUs, community violence, working poor, health literacy, and health disparities. Five candidates attended: Stephen Waguespack, Hunter Lundy, Shawn Wilson, Richard Nelson, and Sharon Hewitt. 

Two major candidates were missing Jeff Landry and John Schroder. Nola.com reported Jeff Landry is ducking events where all candidates appear on the stage together.

The fact that these ministers and churches decided it was important for them and their members to develop a platform to hear the gubernatorial candidates and their agenda was inspiring. The low turnout, however still shows the disconnect between the church and the people. 

Black people make up a third of the population in the State of Louisiana. It is essential that any new candidate or potential governor understand their needs and concerns and develop plans and policies to address those when they take office. To see two major candidates Jeff Landry and John Schroder not show up for this forum is concerning. But it should be inspiring to Democrats and black voters. If they turn out, things will be real interesting come October. If they don’t, things will remain status quo for them in the state. 

It shall be interesting.

For more information on The Louisiana Black Church, click here.