Black El Paso Democrats

2010 Honorees

2010-02-15T03:34:00.002-07:00

This year’s theme is “Reenergize, Refocus, Recommit”. This theme reflects the purpose of the Black El Paso Democrats which is to provide a better response to public needs. The reach of the Black El Paso Democrats transcends racial, political and socio-economic lines. At this year’s banquet, the BEPD will honor community and business leaders for their service to and within the city. The honorees for the evening include Texas Teacher of the Year Yushica Walker; Judy Lugo, the first female president of the El Paso Central Labor Union; Nathan “Motown” Mack and the Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club for their restoration of the Buffalo Soldier Memorial at the Concordia Cemetery; Judge Ricardo Herrera for his work in establishing a Mental Health Court and establishing El Paso’s first Veteran’s Mental Health Treatment Court; Bob Wingo of Sanders/Wingo Advertising Agency, the 2009 Black Enterprise Advertising Agency of the Year; Jim Valenti of University Medical Center, Hank Hernandez of Las Palmas and Dr. Benjamin Carcamo for their humanitarian efforts in bringing the public & private sectors together to give a child the cancer treatment she deserves; Jose Rodriguez for his Outstanding Service as El Paso County Attorney; Eliot Shapleigh for his Outstanding Service as our State Senator; and, Michael Apodaca for his Outstanding Service to the local and state Democratic Parties.

27th Annual Political Awareness and Awards Banquet

2010-02-15T03:31:00.004-07:00

Democratic Majority Whip of the United States James E. Clyburn Will Deliver The Keynote Address For The Black El Paso Democrats 27th Annual Political Awareness And Awards Banquet

El Paso, Texas – February 15, 2010 – JAMES E. CLYBURN, the Democratic Majority Whip of the United States House of Representatives, the ranking African American in the House and third ranking Democrat behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, will address members and guests of the Black El Paso Democrats, 27th Annual Political Awareness and Awards Banquet, Saturday, February 20, 2007, at the Windham El Paso Airport Hotel.

Congressman CLYBURN from South Carolina is credited with galvanizing the House Democrats in passing their version of the Health Care Reform Bill. On January 29, 2010, he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with El Paso's Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Chair of the House Select Committee on Intelligence in attendance, and honoring various notables in the field of business, labor, education, justice, health, community activism and politics, the evening should be informative, provocative and enlightening.

This year’s theme is “Reenergize, Refocus, Recommit”. This theme reflects the purpose of the Black El Paso Democrats which is to provide a better response to public needs. The reach of the Black El Paso Democrats transcends racial, political and socio-economic lines. At this year’s banquet, the BEPD will honor community and business leaders for their service to and within the city. The honorees for the evening include Texas Teacher of the Year Yushica Walker; Judy Lugo, the first female president of the El Paso Central Labor Union; Nathan “Motown” Mack and the Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club for their restoration of the Buffalo Soldier Memorial at the Concordia Cemetery; Judge Ricardo Herrera for his work in establishing a Mental Health Court and establishing El Paso’s first Veteran’s Mental Health Treatment Court; Bob Wingo of Sanders/Wingo Advertising Agency, the 2009 Black Enterprise Advertising Agency of the Year; Jim Valenti of University Medical Center, Hank Hernandez of Las Palmas and Dr. Benjamin Carcamo for their humanitarian efforts in bringing the public & private sectors together to give a child the cancer treatment she deserves; Jose Rodriguez for his Outstanding Service as El Paso County Attorney; Eliot Shapleigh for his Outstanding Service as our State Senator; and, Michael Apodaca for his Outstanding Service to the local and state Democratic Parties.

Social hour begins at 6:00 PM and the Dinner/Program begins at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $50 each or $500 for a table of 10. R.E.L. Washington Century Club Membership is $100.00.

BLACK EL PASO DEMOCRATS MUNICIPAL/SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS RESULTS!!!

2009-05-10T02:33:00.001-06:00

MAYOR
John Cook-WINNER!!

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 2
Susie Byrd-WINNER!!

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 3
Emma Acosta-WINNER!!

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 4
Carl Robinson-WINNER IN RUNOFF!!!

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 7
Steve Ortega-WINNER!!

JUDGE, MUNICIPAL COURT #4
Cheryl S. Lay-LOST

EPISD SCHOOL BOARD District 2
Maria Isela Castanon-Williams-WINNER!!

Don't forget to follow us on twitter.com/bepd

BEPD on Twitter

2009-04-29T23:25:00.001-06:00

Black El Paso Democrats have joined the Twittersphere. Follow us at www.twitter.com/bepd

BLACK EL PASO DEMOCRATS MUNICIPAL/SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

2009-04-29T23:22:00.002-06:00

MAYOR
John Cook

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 2
Susie Byrd

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 3
Emma Acosta

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 4
Carl Robinson

CITY REPRESENTATIVE District 7
Steve Ortega

JUDGE, MUNICIPAL COURT #4
Cheryl S. Lay

EPISD SCHOOL BOARD District 2
Maria Isela Castanon-Williams

EARLY VOTING APRIL 27, 2009
ELECTION MAY 9, 2009

Black El Paso Democrats "VICTORY" Banquet

2009-01-21T09:36:00.002-07:00

The BEPD will host our 26th Annual Political Awareness and Awards Banquet. This event takes place Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the El Paso Airport Wyndham Hotel. Tickets are $50. This is one of the most anticipated events of the year, get your tickets early! www.bepd.org

CONGRATULATIONS!
OUR NEW PRESIDENT
BARACK H. OBAMA

Join Our Group

2008-10-07T23:49:00.001-06:00

Join our group at community.blackelpaso.com

I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED

2008-10-07T23:44:00.000-06:00

BEPD Endorses the following candidates for the November 2008 election

2008-09-24T14:37:00.005-06:00

President/Vice President: Obama/Biden

U.S. Senator: Sen. Rick Noriega

16th .S. Congress Dist.: Silvestre Reyes

23rd U.S. Congress Dist: Ciro Rodriquez

Railroad Commissioner: Mark Thompson

Ch Justice Supreme Ct: Jim Jordan

Justice, Sup Ct, Pl 7: Sam Houston

Justice, Sup Ct, Pl 8: Linda Reyna Yanez

Judge Appeals Ct, Pl 3: Susan Strawn

Judge Appeals Ct, Pl 4: J.R. Molina

State Rep, District 75: Chente Quintanilla

State Rep. Dist. 78: Joseph Moody

Justice 8th COA Pl 3: Guadalupe Rivera

District Judge 448: Regina B. Arditti

District Judge Court 1: Manuel Barraza

EP County Sheriff: Richard Wiles

Constable Precinct 7: Angie Sommers

The Real McCain

2008-09-18T16:27:00.001-06:00

Political Community Connection :: September 2008

2008-09-12T05:34:00.004-06:00

The BEPD are sponsoring a "Community Election Connection" Night, Monday, September 22, 2008. The event will be held at the McCall Neighborhood Center located at 3231 E. Wyoming Avenue from 6pm - 9pm.

Democratic Incumbents, Candidates and Elects are encouraged to attend to meet the diverse members of the community from church leaders, fraternities and sororities, masonic leaders, service and social clubs, political and civil rights leaders and various businesses, entreprenuers and general political supporters. All are welcome to attend and participate in this public service and information activity. Candidates will have the opportunity to speak one one one to potential constituents about their political philosophies and ideas. Clubs, organizations and businesses can display and promote their goods, information and services as they meet and greet our political leaders and candidates. Organizations can use this opportunity to register new voters and sell their paraphernalia.

While there is no charge to attend, we encourage our Democratic candidates/elects to use this time to pass out their literature, raise funds and recruit supporters to assist in the various aspects of their campaign. We encourage businesses and enterpreneurs to display and sell their goods and services. Tables and promotion space is available for rent at $25.00 each on a first come first serve basis. Space must be reserved and paid no later than Friday, September 19, 2008.

Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Respectfully,
Donald L. Williams
Chair
Black El Paso Democrats

Donald L. Willams Argues for National Delegate Vote

2008-09-12T04:44:00.003-06:00

Ambassador Delano Lewis Is The Guest Speaker for the 25th Annual BEPD Awareness & Awards Banquet

2008-01-18T09:38:00.001-07:00

Delano E. Lewis, Sr, a native Kansan, received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Kansas in 1960 and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Washburn University School of Law, Topeka Kansas, in 1963.

Mr. Lewis served ten years in the Federal Government from 1963 until 1973. He served as an attorney with the Dept. of Justice; as an attorney in the Office of Compliance in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Associate Director of the US Peace Corps in Nigeria and Country Director of US Peace Corps in Uganda; Legislative Assistant to US Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts and Chief of Staff for Delegate Walter Fauntroy of the District of Columbia.
From 1973 until 1984, Delano Lewis was an executive with the C& P Telephone Company in Washington DC, a subsidiary of AT&T. From 1984 until 1994, he was an Officer of Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) retiring in 1994 as President and CEO of the District of Columbia operations. In 1994, Mr. Lewis was named President and CEO of National Public Radio in Washington, DC.

In June 1999, President Clinton nominated Delano Lewis as US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa. The United States Senate confirmed him on November 10th 1999. He assumed his Ambassadorship in Pretoria, South Africa on December 22, 1999 and served until his retirement from Diplomatic Service on July 13, 2001.

Mr. Lewis has been a recipient of many awards and honorary degrees, most notably, Washingtonian of the Year in 1978. He received a distinguished Alumni Citation from his alma mater, The University of Kansas, in 1994. There are numerous honorary degrees from such institutions as Barry University, Bowie State University, Washburn University, George Washington University, Kent State University, NOVA Southeastern University, Southern Illinois University and Lafayette College. Presently, he serves on the boards of Colgate Palmolive, Eastman Kodak, Pro-Chef Culinary Concepts, Inc. and Chalk Media Corp.

In September, 2007, he assumed the position of Senior Fellow at New Mexico State University, with the responsibility of establishing an Institute for International Relations on campus.
Delano Lewis and his wife Gayle reside in Las Cruces, NM. The Lewis’ have four adult sons and eleven grandchildren.

Black El Paso Democrats to host Candidates Night

2008-01-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

February 11, 2008 will be an important day for local black voters. The Black El Paso Democrats will host a candidates night for the community to meet and the Democratic Candidates in the upcoming local election. All eyes will be on those candidates in attendance and possible even "bigger" eyes on those who are not in attendance. More information is coming soon so stay tuned in to http://www.bepd.org/ for official Democratic updates in El Paso.

It's not too late to register to vote. http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/index.shtml

History of the BEPD

2008-01-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

History of the Black El Paso Democrats (BEPD)

The Black El Paso Democrats was founded in 1982, by the late R.E.L. Washington (The Colonel). The original leadership of the Black El Paso Democrats was initially part of a non-partisan organization named the “Black Coalition”. Recognizing a need for partisanship and advocacy for the interests of the Black community, Colonel Washington formed an organization whose members were “unapologetically” Black and “uncompromisingly” Democrat. He saw a “non-partisan” political organization as lacking purpose, focus, commitment and not responsive to the true political needs of the Black democratic community.

As the new BEPD was formed, Colonel Washington and his leaders carefully selected and personally invited members they thought would adhere to and advance the principles and ideals of the democratic party and, at the same time, insist that the Democratic Party be receptive to the needs of the Black community and become responsible for including Blacks as equal functioning partners in the democratic party and the democratic process.

Colonel Washington emphatically insisted that this organization would not be controlled or unduly influenced by any candidate, elected or appointed official, special interest group or any amount of money from any source. The organization was then and is now fiercely independent. Colonel Washington insisted that his officers’ character be beyond reproach and that their motives and actions be pure and not for personal gain. The organization has enjoyed a reputation of serving the best interests of the Black Community of El Paso and the community at large for nearly a quarter of a century. It has been effective in educating the public, serving the public, working with other democratic entities toward common goals and advocating for a better governmental response to public needs.

Colonel Washington died on April 17, 1996. He passed the torch to another carefully selected successor who he felt would carry the organization to new heights. The organization ratified that selection and Otis Hopkins became the second person to carry the mantle of leadership. Under his leadership, the BEPD continued the tradition of community effectiveness, relevance and soon became what many call the “premier” democratic club of El Paso.

As only the third Chair in the history of the BEPD, my future success lies in maintaining the solid foundation established by my predecessors and continuing to steer a vehicle that already has focus, direction and purpose. My intent is to open the organization to new people, ideas, techniques and technologies. As an original charter member, I appreciate the past, but I welcome diverse opinions, new issues, new techniques and methods in order to set new priorities for the future.

Membership is still by invitation. Character and independence is still highly valued. The organization is still fiercely independent; and, we continue to invite those who are “unapologetically” Black and “uncompromisingly” Democrat and their family members as regular members of the organization and others who believe in our ideals to support us as associate members.

There is still much work to be done.

Donald L. Williams
Chair,
Black El Paso Democrats