Update on Attendance at Special Called Meeting

I want to address my absence from the special called meeting of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 2024. As many are aware, I am currently in Washington, D.C., participating in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Conference, a significant event focused on advancing key legislative priorities and fostering collaboration with Black leaders nationwide.

In planning my travel to D.C., I scheduled meetings with federal officials. I have long-scheduled meetings, including a meeting at the White House as a new member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Black County Officials (NOBCO) and a NOBCO board meeting, chaired by Commissioner Roy Brooks.

For over five weeks, it has been public knowledge that I, along with Commissioner Brooks, would be in D.C. during this time.

During the August 6th, 2024, Commissioners Court meeting, Commissioner Brooks and I received authorization from all our Court colleagues to attend the CBC meeting.

I interpreted the unanimous vote from all members of the Commissioners Court to be an affirmation of the value and importance of this event for representing Tarrant County interests.

Since that court authorization, I have worked to add even greater value for Tarrant County constituents to this trip by scheduling numerous meetings with federal entities, including the Department of Justice and the White House.

These meetings allow me valuable forums to advocate for increased federal support for Tarrant County residents in numerous policy areas.

Since that approval over a month ago, the county judge has decided to call a special called meeting in both mine and Commissioner Brooks’ absence tomorrow to vote on crucial election issues.

Together, we represent half of this county, which is a majority minority, meaning a disproportionate number of these minority citizens live within our two precincts. This is clearly a targeted attempt to limit the minority members of the Commissioners Court’s ability to participate.

Unfortunately, taking a laptop into the White House is not permissible.

Tomorrow, despite having three face-to-face meetings in D.C. on Thursday, September 12, I will seek to fight Tarrant County voter suppression and racism as a virtual attendee of the Commissioners Court and in my conversations at the White House and with federal officials.