A more abiding commitment to freedom.

A more constant pursuit of justice. 

A deeper respect for human dignity.

These were the promises of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as expressed by President Lyndon Johnson when he signed the bill into law. 

This year marks the 60th anniversary of that landmark legislation, but the journey toward racial justice in the United States is older than the nation itself, and nowhere near complete. 

The day before the 60^th anniversary of the March on Washington, I hosted a group of civil rights leaders at the White House, including members of the King family and my dear friend Marc Morial of the National Urban League.

In 2024, it is more critical than ever that companies stay actively and vocally committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments. Challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, legal and otherwise, have mounted in recent years, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to reject the use of race in college admissions has been a catalyst for concerning changes in the rhetoric around the value of these initiatives. 

I hold a distinction that is, at once, humbling and disturbing: I’m the fourth popularly elected Black senator in U.S. history and one of just 12 African Americans to have served in the Senate.

 Many others have been worthy of joining this body over its 235 years of existence, but the doors of opportunity remained closed to generations of Black Americans. The same has been true across American life, from education and employment to housing and healthcare.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency most responsible for providing opportunities for low-and moderate-income people in our nation, the majority of whom are Black and Brown. As the 18th Secretary of HUD, I have worked to actualize our country’s promise to ensure liberty and justice for all through intentional efforts that advance racial equity and acknowledge historical wrongs while doing the necessary work to right them. 

Let me start by saying the Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically Title I and Title VII, collectively federally mandates equity for Black Americans, as well as all ethnic groups that were discriminated against in voting and employment. 

(What the Civil Rights Act of 1964 meant for American life as we know it today and why warding off attacks is critical 

for our future. And, an exploration of what should be included in a new Civil Rights law to guarantee and expand protections for the 21st century)

Law firms with fellowship programs designed to grow the paltry ranks of Black lawyers in their midst are dragged to court with claims of race discrimination. Corporations receive threat letters for programs designed to support a diverse workforce, including retention and cohesion. A Black women’s small venture capital firm that seeks to invest in Black women-owned start-ups is battling for its existence in a court case.

The enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a seminal moment for our nation. It is a bedrock law that remains central to modern day civil rights and racial justice efforts. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described it as a “second emancipation.” President Lyndon Johnson, in signing the law, hailed its historic impact.