Celebrating Black History Month 2025

Every February since 1976, Americans have celebrated the achievements and contributions that African Americans have made to our great nation. In President Donald Trump’s proclamation on National Black History Month, The White House highlighted contributions from heroes such as Frederick Douglass and Thomas Sowell.

In the words of famed economist Thomas Sowell:

“A society that puts equality – in the sense of equality of outcome – ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom. The use of force to achieve equality will destroy freedom, and the force, intended for good purposes, will end up in the hands of people who use it to promote their own interests.”

At ALEC, we are committed to providing policy solutions for all Americans. We take pride in working side-by-side with state legislators from all walks of life, helping them identify best practices that lead to growth and opportunity.

Thomas Sowell warned that, “open-ended demands are a mandate for ever-expanding government bureaucracies with ever-expanding budgets and powers.” As the ALEC Government Efficiency (AGE) Coalition works to address the problems created by endless bureaucracy and burdensome regulations, his wise words serve as our North Star.

With Black History Month underway, we will continue to highlight key policy ideas that improve the lives of all Americans, such as education freedom, workforce development, and improving safety and justice.

Education Freedom

  • As of January 2025, a record 12 states have enacted or will enact legislation promoting education freedom. In our brand-new publication, Index of State Education Freedom, we highlight major changes happening in classrooms across the nation, such as the expansion of Education Savings Account (ESA) programs.
  • The Hope Scholarship Act – This model outlines a universal education savings account to expand school choice for families and their children, giving more families the flexibility to choose the school that best fits their needs.
  • The Science of Reading Act – The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) shows that less than half of fourth-grade students can read at a proficient level. This is deeply concerning—and completely preventable. Our model requires the more effective, evidence-based “science of reading” approach to be taught in an effort to improve literacy among young students.

Workforce Development

  • The Early College Education Program – High school students should be allowed to work concurrently toward their high school diploma and an associate degree. This model policy allows students, particularly those designated as being “at risk of dropping out,” to do so, while also offering flexibility in scheduling to accommodate the unique arrangement of every student.
  • Right to Earn a Living Act – Licensing and regulation of businesses and professions—often placed in the hands of the regulated industry—artificially limit entry and reduce competition. Entry-level opportunities are affected by occupational licensing laws, government-imposed monopolies, and restrictions on home-based businesses, which cut off upward mobility access for those outside of the economic mainstream. This model limits such regulations to public health, safety, and welfare objectives, ensuring that all workers have the right to earn an honest living.

Improving Safety and Justice

  • Resolution in Support of Effective Strategies to Support Law Enforcement and Reduce Violent Crime – Reducing violent crime continues to be a priority for states, and this resolution encourages the adoption of certain practices to do so. Among the solutions are the promotion of appropriate funding and support for law enforcement needs, focused deterrence, and alternatives to funding the justice system through court fines & fees. With this resolution, states can better address issues of violent crime, mental health, and substance abuse in the general public.
  • Resolution on Enhancing Data on Crime and Clearance Rates – Timely, accurate data promotes transparency and improves public trust in the criminal justice system. This model resolution encourages closing the gaps in crime and clearance rate data to support policymakers and agency leaders in crafting policies and targeting resources to maximize their impact on public safety.
  • Act to Prepare Inmates for Re-entry and the Workforce – Properly re-entering society is one of the best ways to reduce recidivism and reduce incarceration rates. This model helps better prepare released inmates to reintegrate into the workforce by directing the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with crucial documentation relating to work experience, education, and trade skills.

To see all of ALEC’s policy priorities, read our Essential Policy Solutions for 2025.