Bill Overview
Title: African Diaspora Heritage Month Act of 2022
Description: This bill requests the President and the states to issue annual proclamations calling on the people of their respective jurisdictions to celebrate African Diaspora Heritage Month.
Sponsors: Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]
Target Audience
Population: People of African descent living outside the African continent
Estimated Size: 46000000
- The bill focuses on recognizing and celebrating African Diaspora Heritage Month, which suggests it directly impacts people who identify as part of the African diaspora.
- The African diaspora includes individuals of African descent living outside the African continent, which is a significant global population given the history of African migration, both voluntary and forced.
- There are significant African diaspora populations in various countries, including the United States, Brazil, the Caribbean, European countries, and others. The largest populations of African diaspora are found in the Americas and Europe.
- This population is diverse, including descendants of enslaved Africans, voluntary immigrants from Africa, and their descendants.
- Though the bill does not mandate actions but encourages celebration, its cultural implications may indirectly affect a broader community.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects individuals who identify as part of the African diaspora living in the U.S., such as African Americans and immigrants from African countries.
- The policy does not mandate new government initiatives or funding beyond proclamations, so the direct impact is cultural rather than economic.
- It encourages communal recognition and celebration of African heritage, which may improve cultural pride and community cohesion for those who engage with it.
- Given the budget constraints, promotional activities will be limited, likely focusing on online platforms and low-cost community events.
- The indirect benefits might reach the broader American public by increasing awareness and education regarding African heritage and contributions.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's wonderful to have a month dedicated to celebrating African heritage.
- I hope this will encourage schools to include more African history in their curriculums.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Banker (New York City, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great to have recognition, but we need more than proclamations for real change.
- It’s important for our youth to see themselves represented positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Event Planner (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an exciting opportunity to plan more events around African culture.
- I hope it helps bring more attention to African-owned businesses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Actor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cultural recognition is crucial, but I worry it might become too commercialized.
- More substantive support for artists and cultural institutions is needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Community Organizer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Celebration is key in keeping our heritage vibrant and relevant to newer generations.
- I hope the schools will take this as a chance to educate more deeply on our histories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Entrepreneur (Miami, FL)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could boost sales and awareness of our crafts.
- Cultural months should help everyone learn more about each other's heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Growing up I didn’t see much representation, so this is positive change.
- I hope this leads to more partnerships in tech with African nations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This aligns with my academic interests and helps foster a sense of community.
- I look forward to contributing to events and discussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see official recognition, but I hope it's more than just lip service.
- We need resources focused on real community development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Chef (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- African food is a big part of our culture, and this recognition can boost its presence.
- I hope it helps people explore the diversity within African cuisines more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $100000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill has no spending mandate, requiring no financial appropriation or allocation.
- Recognitions and proclamations, like those encouraged by the bill, are typically managed within existing governmental communication resources.