Des Moines, Iowa, June 4, 2007: Co-Chairs Mary Campos and Wayne Ford are pleased to announce that the Sixth Iowa Brown & Black Democratic Presidential Candidate Forum for Democratic Presidential candidates will be held at North High School in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 1, 2007, beginning at 6:00 p.m. “We are happy to report that Senator Biden, Senator Dodd, Senator Edwards, Senator Gravel, Senator Obama, and Governor Richardson have given us their written commitment to participate,” they said. “We’re continuing to communicate with the other candidates, who have expressed their interest in participating in the forum; and we look forward to that continuing dialogue.”

The nonpartisan Iowa Brown & Black Forum began with U.S. Presidential candidate debates in 1984 and has figured prominently in the Iowa caucuses. It is recognized as the oldest, continuous minority forum for Presidential candidates in America.

Campos and Ford said, “Discussing issues to which minorities can relate, such as economic development, immigration, health care, and bias in the justice system, has a tendency to create an excitement that moves people to civic action. In 2004, over 90 percent of the minority precincts in Iowa clearly showed an increase in minority participation in the electoral process.”

“We look forward to the public, the media, and the nation joining us on December 1 at North High School to discuss minority issues currently in the national spotlight at this historic event,” they said. The event is free, but seating will be limited.