Black El Paso Voice

All Things Black in El Paso

The Black Roundtable

2025 State of Black El Paso – Review Date: July 4th

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For the first time in history, El Paso has two dynamic Black leaders helping to guide the city’s future. And yet, some in our community continue to complain rather than contribute. It’s time we step up.

This year’s 2025 State of Black El Paso Address was real. Raw. Necessary.

Despite assumptions, the Black population in the El Paso metro (approx. 3.8% of 1 million people) continues to contribute through every sector—from artists and educators to medical professionals, organizers, and our military.

 The panel covered four pressing topics:

  • Civic Engagement & Anti-Racism
  • Health, Wellness & Access to Care
  • Black Youth – In Schools, In the Community, In Life
  • Barriers to Black Representation & Success

 In my address, I was slated to share the following, but I will provide that in detail on the 4th of July as time did not permit due to addressing other matters:

  • Housing Affordability
  • Racism and economic disconnection
  • Cultural gatekeeping and community violence
  • Transparency, accountability & healing
  • The urgent need to protect and preserve our culture

Let’s be clear: we’re still a mess. Some progress has been made. However, willful ignorance, hypocrisy, and a lack of communication are still holding us back.

 Racism in El Paso does exist. Some stay silent out of fear. But silence breeds mold—and mold destroys foundations.

We are losing our youth. Many don’t see change or care from the “Black powers that be.” If you’re in a position of influence and still ignoring what’s happening, you’re part of the problem.

We thank Mr. Tom Handy for sharing wealth-building wisdom that applies to everyone. We’re also excited to work with the City of El Paso’s Economic Development Department as we continue building real growth in the Black business space.

 Coming Soon:

 The full address, panel feedback, and community outcomes will be released on August 2025, at BlackElPasoVoice.com, during National Black Business Month.

And starting soon, we’ll be hosting The Black Roundtable monthly—one topic, one expert, real talk. If you’ve got knowledge, experience, or leadership in any area… we need you.

 Let’s stop arguing about who’s in charge and do the work – together – which includes those who should be at these discussions but remain absent because “those aren’t their problems.”

Feel free to contact me at monica@blackelpasovoice.com or 915.345.1661.

#BlackElPasoVoice #StateOfBlackElPaso #ProtectAndPreserve #BEPV #CommunityHealing #BlackCivicEngagement #ElPasoBlackBusiness

2025 State of Black El Paso

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Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, Where We’re Going: The 2025 State of Black El Paso

As communities across the nation reckon with the need for honest civic dialogue and targeted action, El Paso’s Black community continues its path forward—examining where it has been, where it is, and where it is going. On Wednesday, June 19, 2025, at 3:30 PM, the 2nd Annual State of Black El Paso Address will take place at the McCall Neighborhood Center, inviting the public to participate in a town hall rooted in truth, vision, and responsibility.

This year’s theme is not just a reflection—it’s a challenge. Founder Monica Tucker, longtime advocate and voice behind Black El Paso Voice, will deliver a comprehensive review, setting the tone for a deeper discussion on the pressing issues facing Black El Pasoans today.

With an eye on generational responsibility, the event emphasizes civic engagement as a tool to disrupt cycles of neglect. By participating, attendees help lay the groundwork for younger generations to become informed leaders and decision-makers who understand the importance of voting, advocacy, and holding others accountable.

The event will explore four core focus areas:

  • Civic Engagement & Anti-Racism: Addressing low voter turnout, recent racial incidents in schools and public spaces, and the urgent need for Black voices in governance. As Monica Tucker states, “When we know better, we do better—it is our responsibility to secure a seat at the table.”
  • Health, Wellness & Access to Care: Examining mental health stigma, chronic health disparities, and the lack of Black healthcare providers contributing to medical distrust and poor outcomes.
  • Black Youth – In Schools, In the Community, In Life: Focusing on disproportionate discipline, underrepresentation in curricula, and the need for culturally-rooted mentorship and opportunity.
  • Barriers to Black Representation & Success on the Border: Tackling intra-community disconnection, economic exclusion, and the need for Black-led historical education in a time when national narratives are being erased.

In addition, a special presentation by community guest speaker Tom Handy—Army veteran, investor, and civic leader—will center on the importance of wealth building and connecting economic literacy to generational empowerment. 

Dr. Jackeline Biddle Richard, a dynamic force in law, health, and advocacy, will moderate the event and guide discussions toward real-world application.

After the address, the community is invited to engage directly during a Q&A panel with local leaders, including:

  • Curtis Smith – (Retired) Army Veteran, activist, mentor, leader
  • Lucille Samuel – Army Veteran (Retired) Civic leader and Retired EPCSO Exec. Admin Officer
  • Ryan Adams – Army Veteran, civic and Black history advocater, leader, entrepreneur
  • Shonique Tornes – Navy Veteran, women’s leadership advocate, entrepreneur
  • Michael Hall – (Retired) Army Veteran, community leader, and mentor

Admission is $10, and RSVP is required. Attendees can choose to attend the town hall/panel, the offsite reception at 6ixx Lounge (4317 Dyer Street) at 6:00 PM, or both. Proceeds support Black El Paso Voice initiatives, including education, economic empowerment, and business development efforts.

Click here to purchase admission. Tickets at will-call.

In a region where Black voices are often undercounted, this event is more than a report—it’s a call to action. Everyone—Black, allied, young, seasoned, business-minded, and community-focused—is encouraged to attend.

Because if we don’t lead the conversation about our future, someone else will.

Special thanks to MEKALE KNIGHT-VICTOR of First Command for supporting this session.

Community Statement: Launch of “Progressive Voices on the Border” Series on Policy, Power & Racial Justice

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As our communities continue to navigate uncertain times under the current White House administration, it is more urgent than ever that we come together—Black, Brown, and bold—to examine the issues directly affecting our lives, our families, and our futures.

We are proud to announce the launch of “Progressive Voices on the Border,” a community conversation series centered on the challenges and opportunities facing Black and Hispanic communities under the policies of today’s federal leadership. This series will provide a safe, informed, and empowering space to explore the impacts of new and proposed legislation, executive actions, and institutional changes.

What’s at stake?
From civil rights to housing, education to voting access, and workplace justice to cultural representation, we are witnessing a sweeping rollback of protections that once sought to level the playing field for historically marginalized groups.

Key concerns include:

  • Civil Rights & Equity: The dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies signals a retreat from efforts to combat systemic racism.
  • Economic Opportunity: Black workers—especially in federal roles—are seeing labor protections eroded, while small businesses of color face cutbacks in crucial funding and contracts.
  • Affordable Housing: Rising rents, gentrification, and cuts to federal housing programs have worsened the housing crisis. Black and Latino families face growing displacement, overcrowding, and homelessness in cities across the country—with few protections in place.
  • Education Access: Policies targeting civil rights protections in schools threaten to widen the opportunity gap for Black and Latino youth, while federal aid and school meal cuts will hit our children hardest.
  • Racism in Everyday Life: From discriminatory school discipline to biased hiring, workplace harassment, and profiling in our own neighborhoods, racism continues to harm Black and Brown people at every stage of life. These issues are often ignored by policy makers and worsened by the administration’s silence—or approval.
  • Voter Suppression: New restrictive laws and intimidation tactics are undermining the political power of our communities, echoing a dark history we’ve fought hard to overcome.
  • Immigration Raids: Federal raids and increased enforcement have sown fear in mixed-status households and immigrant neighborhoods—especially among Black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa, and Latino families—causing community trauma and instability.
  • Environmental Justice: Communities of color remain on the front lines of pollution and climate risk, while funding cuts reduce our ability to recover and fight back.
  • Policing & Justice Reform: The administration’s embrace of harsher sentencing and reduced police accountability further endangers Black lives in a justice system already fraught with bias.
  • Cultural Erasure: Moves to defund Black historical institutions and reinstate symbols of white supremacy are more than symbolic—they are an affront to truth, memory, and dignity.

Our communities have always been resilient, resourceful, and revolutionary. But resilience does not mean silence.

We invite you to join us—activists, elders, youth, educators, clergy, workers, and neighbors—for open dialogue and action. Together, we’ll strategize, organize, and reclaim the narrative. This series is more than talk—it’s a call to mobilize and build collective power.

Stay tuned for dates, speakers, and locations. We will not be erased. We will not be silenced. Our voices matter—and our future depends on them.

The State of Black El Paso: Catalyzing Transformative Change Through Exemplary LeadershipThe State of Black El Paso:

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The journey towards sustainable progress and equity for the Black community is not a leisurely stroll but a race against time. It requires a paradigm shift – one that emanates FROM WITHIN and spreads outward through the embodiment of exemplary leadership.

Mere rhetoric and passive engagement will not suffice to dismantle the insidious barriers that have historically impeded our collective advancement. We must step up as change agents, not just beacons of excellence, but ACTIVE forces that dismantle these barriers and pave a new path. Our determination is the key to our success.

We must cultivate a generation of Black leaders who are intellectually formidable and possess an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, resilience, and steadfast determination. These pioneers should relentlessly pursue academic and professional excellence, using their achievements to shatter stereotypes and defy societal boundaries, thereby transforming our community.

Moreover, our leaders must embrace a spirit of service, recognizing that actual progress is achieved through uplifting and empowering our communities. They must be catalysts for positive transformation, encouraging our youth while addressing the systemic inequities hindering our mutual betterment. It is our responsibility to uplift our communities.

By embodying these principles and leading by example, we can inspire a renaissance of Black excellence that transcends boundaries and inspires future generations.

When: Juneteenth – Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Where: Location sent to attendees

Cost: $10 – Click here to purchase tickets

Speakers: Various El Paso Changemakers

Questions? Have a topic you’d like addressed? Send to monica@blackelpasovoice.com

The Black Roundtable and FBI El Paso

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The El Paso FBI Black Leaders Roundtable, established in March 2022, is a crucial platform for discussions on matters impacting the Black community and law enforcement to enhance their relationship. This initiative emerged from the collaborative efforts of Monica Tucker, the founder of The El Paso Black Roundtable, and FBI Special Agent Jeanette Harper.

 

The genesis of this collaboration traces back to 2019 when SA Harper engaged local Black media to feature the celebration of 100 Years of Black FBI Agents. During Black History Month in 2020, Black El Paso Voice showcased this feature.

 

In September 2021, a remarkable initiative called “First Fridays with the FBI” was launched by dedicated civilians in the El Paso community. This innovative program raises awareness about crimes and their prevention, inviting residents to promote safety and security within their neighborhoods actively. “First Fridays with the FBI” quickly gained momentum, drawing in community members from all walks of life, eager to collaborate with law enforcement agencies. This grassroots movement became integral to the ongoing efforts to strengthen the bridge between law enforcement and the public. Through engaging events and informative and open dialogues, this initiative empowered citizens with knowledge about crime prevention strategies, encouraging them to safeguard their communities actively.

 

Recognizing the immense value of this citizen-led initiative, the El Paso FBI Black Leaders Roundtable embraced the “First Fridays with the FBI” program as an essential component of their collaborative efforts. The Roundtable provided a supportive platform for the initiative, amplifying its impact and outreach. The partnership between the Roundtable and “First Fridays with the FBI” exemplifies the community’s dedication to fostering a safer environment through education, awareness, and proactive involvement. Together, these endeavors have contributed significantly to building a resilient community where law enforcement and citizens work hand in hand to prevent crimes, enhance security, and create a better future for all.

 

Building upon this success, SAC Downey, the former El Paso Field Office SAIC, recognized the need to expand these efforts and subsequently established similar demographic Roundtables inspired by the Black Leaders Roundtable.

 

Central to the Roundtable’s success is the appointment of Curtis Smith as the lead liaison between FBI El Paso and The Black Roundtable. This strategic role ensures effective communication and collaboration between the law enforcement agency and the Black community. The Roundtable is a vital platform where Black community leaders and law enforcement officials collaborate, fostering trust, dispelling misconceptions, and nurturing transparent relationships.

 

Additionally, the Roundtable serves as a forum for addressing shared concerns and devising strategies to tackle them collaboratively. Looking ahead, the Black Leaders Roundtable is committed to broadening its reach by connecting with other multicultural organizations and convening annually. Monica Tucker and SA Harper have established an impactful program that has significantly strengthened the ties between the Black community and law enforcement in El Paso.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact Monica Tucker or Curtis Smith for those interested in participating in the Black Roundtable. Your involvement is crucial to our shared mission of promoting understanding, trust, and collaboration between the Black community and law enforcement in El Paso.

Indicators of Violent Extremism | Quarterly FBI & BEPV Black Leaders Roundtable:

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Join us for the quarterly Black Roundtable Community Discussion with the local field office of the FBI, Thursday, November 9th at 6:30 PM. 

Click here to register

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Violent Extremism:

As he testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (video clip), FBI Director Christopher Wray discussed threats facing the nation. During his opening statement, he provided an overview of the current threat landscape in the United States. The ongoing conflict between Israel and HAMAS could lead to additional threats of violence in the US from foreign terrorist organizations overseas, individuals in the US inspired by those organizations, or newly emboldened domestic violent extremists motivated by their racial hatred. Americans, especially those in the Jewish, Arab, and Muslim communities, have seen an increase in threats. The FBI has assured that it will not tolerate violence motivated by hate or extremism and will use all its legal authorities to protect the American people and pursue justice for all victims. The FBI is working closely with faith and community organizations to share relevant information and to identify and disrupt any threats that may emerge. The FBI takes all threats seriously and investigates any tips or information received regarding potential threats. It’s crucial to emphasize that the FBI will never launch an investigation solely based on an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or their exercise of First Amendment rights. If you become aware of any threat or suspicious activity, please report that information immediately to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or by calling your local FBI field office. If the activity involves imminent violence or threat to life, call 911.