Most people probably think that in a choice between Democrats and Republicans America’s urban communities will automatically and overwhelmingly pull the lever for Hillary Clinton in November.
I’ve spent the past months going business-to-business, door-to-door, barbershop to diner, challenging this pretty much accepted conclusion.
From my travels, I now know what Harriet Tubman meant when she expressed that she could have freed thousands more slaves if they had known or understood that they were slaves.
Initially, after thinking about the election and talking with my daughter, I supported Bernie Sanders and even created an organization to gain support for him in our urban centers.
I chose Bernie for his understanding that blacks historically have not had equal opportunities in America. He realized that in the early sixties. But I also knew Bernie was not a savior.
Our urban centers have to make right their own communities. Rebuilding needs to happen from within. While Bernie would have fought for this, I don’t see it happening under Clinton because she and the Congressional Black Caucus will praise us, tell us we are doing good work and throw us the fish without teaching us how to fish.
An unprecedented opportunity exists at this very moment for the Trump Campaign and the Republican Party to earn the support and the vote from urban communities. Never before has this particular voting bloc questioned their allegiance to the Democratic Party – they are desperately searching for authentic change that will revive their communities. They are seeking a partner in politics that will not simply pander for their vote, but will instead embark on an earnest effort to work with them in reviving their communities.
But I stress to the folks I meet in my activism, that whoever gets your vote in November or any election, they need to earn it. They must be held accountable, not simply receive a vote because their parents or grandparents voted for a certain party. If we don’t shake up the historical thinking, nothing will improve or change for our communities, and they will remain blighted and non-productive.
Politics aside, the people of these Urban Communities agree on one fact: Donald Trump is a successful businessman. Furthermore, if a Trump presidency produces an authentic effort to partner with these communities – they will vote for Trump, without hesitation.
The business leaders in these communities are not looking for the historical approach of Democrats, including Hillary Clinton to stroke and throw handouts – they want a hand up – a partner that will invest the time to understand their needs and then help them secure the resources to take action.
Similar to the new television series, “Cleveland Hustles”, and several similar business-minded reality series (e.g. “The Apprentice) – Trump for Urban
Communities is taking this model to the streets of our largest cities by creating Community Hubs.
These Hubs are educating and registering voters, hosting meetings of community business leaders to identify and prioritize needs, and be able to connect via Live Video Conferencing with outside business mentors, potential investors and of course Mr. Trump and his team. This partnership will extend well beyond the election, but the fruits of these partnerships will first appear on November 8th at the polls.
Growing a community the right way is like planting crops. The fruits of your labor aren’t immediate. But Trump’s approach to business and real estate combined with respect for the accountability demanded by voters in our urban communities is a good formula to restore, and strengthen our communities and provide an alternative of the “same old, same old” that the Democrats have historically provided.
Let’s try a new approach, but with the accountability that Trump will be a partner and encourage and grow business leadership in our urban communities so that they thrive.
Carter is Founder and President of Trump for Urban Communities and President of The Business Coach. Follow Trump for Urban Communities on Twitter @TrumpForUC
The views expressed by Contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.