The following statement comes from The National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc., one of the country’s oldest organizations dedicated to aging issues. NCBA was founded in 1970 to ensure that the particular concerns of elderly minorities would be addressed in the then-upcoming 1971 White House Conference on Aging. Since then, NCBA has helped protect and improve the quality of life for elderly populations, making certain that legislators, policy makers, philanthropists, advocacy groups, service organizations, thought leaders and the public at-large include minority seniors in their programs, policy- and law-making, and giving.
As NCBA celebrates its 45th anniversary and continues to advance its mission of advocating for low-income African American seniors in the areas of affordable housing, employment and health and wellness, it is important that our nation remember the promises and difficulties confronting minority seniors.
Minority seniors are the largest and fastest growing segment of the United States, and in light of this, NCBA believes it is increasingly important for policymakers at the national, state, and local levels to delve into the challenges confronting them. “African American seniors are the fabric of our nation. Their contributions are endless and lend to the richness of this nation. It is vital that we keep their well-being, health, and socioeconomic status at the forefront,” said Karyne Jones, NCBA President and CEO. In this 45th anniversary year, NCBA continues to be inspired by the passion and dedication we see in aging practitioners, researchers, program directors, policymakers, funders, advocates, and others all working on behalf of seniors and their families—each determined to further understand where older adults are today and what is needed to bring them into a better tomorrow.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Diverse Elders Coalition.