By Lisa Young
Since the organization of the Utah Republican Black Assembly last year, the group is achieving their goals by expanding their membership and supporting the elected black republicans.
'Part of our mission is an education of the political process; we encourage blacks to run for office,' said Ozwald Balfour, chairman of the Utah Republican Black Assembly.
Balfour said the assembly encourages all blacks that have and interest in running for office to do so.
Pre-assumed notions that all blacks are democratic are a reason blacks feel they are restricted from running for office.
'Even though they may have felt that they were a Democrat primarily by tradition, if you live in Utah and you want to be a part of the political process, there is great opportunity within the republican party to be active and involved and to have your voice heard and to make a difference,' Balfour said.
The assembly also wants to educate blacks about the politics through their involvement with the Republican party.
The other goal of the Republican Black Assembly is to be a 'support mechanism' for the blacks in office and running for office, Balfour said.
James Evans, a member of the Utah State Senate, is a great example of what the Black Republican Assembly is achieving, he said.
James Evans ran for a vacant seat on the west side of the state against Rocky Anderson and won.
'I think for the short time he has been on the hill he has made quite an impression,' Balfour Said.
Winston Wilkinson is another Black Republican who set a high standard for other black republicans in the state.
Wilkinson recently earned a position with the Republican National Committee
'There is a handful of leaders but we would like to expand that,' Balfour said.
And expanding is just what they are doing.
Many Assembly members are in Washington D.C. attend an African American Summit in Washington D.C. The group is expected to return to Utah early next week with new knowledge and ideas.