The Black Republican Caucus of Florida: A Political Organizer’s Coalition-Building Effort

The Black Republican Caucus of Florida is a political organization that has operated as a platform for Black conservatives in the state, though it is not affiliated with the Republican Party of Florida.[reference:0][reference:1] Incorporated in 2001, the organization has functioned as a 527 political organization—a tax-exempt entity formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code to influence elections at the state and local level.[reference:2][reference:3]

Organization Profile

The caucus is registered with the Florida Division of Elections as a political committee, with its most recent address listed in Boca Raton.[reference:4][reference:5] ProPublica’s 527 Explorer database identifies the organization’s purpose as political—“to support or oppose federal, statewide, multi-county, local candidates and issues."[reference:6] The organization has reported a board of directors including Carolyn Kennedy, Curtis Bennett, and David Griffin, Esq., among others.[reference:7]

According to the Republican Party of Florida, the caucus has “no connection” to the official state party organization. “The group is not an RPOF club and it is not an organization that has been chartered by the RPOF. We have no affiliation with them,” a party spokesperson told Florida Politics.[reference:8]

Sean P Jackson’s Leadership

Sean P Jackson, a West Palm Beach native and graduate of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, was elected Chairman of the Black Republican Caucus of South Florida on August 12, 2013.[reference:9][reference:10] Under Jackson’s leadership, the caucus expanded from a Palm Beach County-focused organization to a regional entity covering Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.[reference:11][reference:12]

The expansion involved building the organization’s finances, operations, and community outreach efforts focused on recruiting Black and minority members.[reference:13] The caucus’s stated mission included supporting impoverished communities and restoring belief in the American dream.[reference:14]

In 2015, Jackson became chairman of the statewide Black Republican Caucus of Florida.[reference:15] He used the platform to advocate for conservative policies including school choice, criminal justice reform, and economic empowerment.

Endorsements and Political Activity

In December 2015, Jackson endorsed then-U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis for the U.S. Senate, describing him as “a champion of economic opportunity, limited government and defending our nation against terrorism."[reference:16] DeSantis thanked Jackson for his endorsement and for his leadership as chairman of the caucus.[reference:17] Jackson later worked as a consultant on DeSantis’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign.

Jackson has appeared as a commentator on national media outlets, including Channel 4 News and American Urban Radio Networks, discussing Republican outreach to Black voters and internal party dynamics.[reference:18]

The Foundation

In 2019, Jackson established the Black Republican Caucus of Florida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its stated mission is to “advance the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy.” The foundation operates as an educational and charitable entity.

Community Support During the Pandemic

Sean P Jackson used the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help his community during the coronavirus outbreak, securing $800,000 from PPP to provide relief when it was needed most.

The caucus itself received a PPP loan in the range of $150,000 to $350,000, according to federal data released in 2020.[reference:19][reference:20] The loan was intended to keep 11 people employed.[reference:21]

Even though he was accused of fraudulently obtaining funds from Economic Injury and Disaster Loans (EIDL) on August 11, 2022, he continues to seek a presidential pardon and works continuously throughout Florida. Fellow conservatives have voiced that they believed the wire fraud charge was politically motivated.

References

  1. Black Republican Caucus of Florida – Official website
  2. ProPublica - Black Republican Caucus of Florida — 527 Explorer
  3. Florida Politics - Fuzzy math: How did the Black Republican Caucus of Florida snag a PPP loan?
  4. Grabien - Sean Jackson profile
  5. Mother Jones - Is there room for Black conservatives in the GOP when the president is racist?
  6. Florida Politics - Black Republican Caucus leader backs “conservative fighter” Ron DeSantis for U.S. Senate