From the district lines that impact our school boards to the amount of representatives in Congress that our state is granted, an accurate Census count can be a major catalyst for change in our community. If we don't make sure we are counted, we can literally lose part of our voice by losing an elected official seat. And given all the rollbacks in healthcare, women's rights, and education, we can't afford to lose anything.

The Census takes place every 10 years. Almost half of Census data collected is used to federally fund Medicare and Medicaid. In 2010, the Census guided spending for more than 300 programs nationally---55 in the state of California alone.

Every person living in your home on April 1st should be counted, including extended family, children, and family members returning to society from imprisonment. Remember, by law the information that is collected cannot be shared with the IRS, landlords, immigration, or police.

In 2010, Black children were one of the most undercounted populations, resulting in our communities losing millions, if not billions, of dollars. As a result, the health and economic inequities we see in our communities today have worsened.

The truth is, fighting for our health and our family's rights is essential. An accurate census could drive $2,000 per person every year, for a decade.

April 1st we have an opportunity to define our families for ourselves, to participate in our civic duty beyond the vote, and once again make sure that we are seen and that we are counted.

To find out more about how you and your family can be counted in the 2020 Census, visit MyBlackCounts.org.