My earliest memories of America are marked by brokenness.

At just three years old, I witnessed my father die in front of me. He had gone to the hospital that morning with a sore throat and was sent home with the simple advice to "get some rest." Hours later, William Westley Moore Jr., who gave me his middle name, died from a rare but treatable disease. He became yet another casualty of a healthcare system that often greets Black men seeking care with indifference.

This tragic moment shaped my entrance into a society that wasn’t built for me or those who look like me. I grew up in a predominantly Black and Latino community that was overpoliced. When I felt the cold steel of handcuffs around my wrists at eleven years old, it wasn’t shocking to bystanders—it was expected. Not because of who I was, but because seeing a young Black boy stopped by the cops wasn’t unusual.

Black men represent just 7% of the American population—around 23 million people. We are teachers, preachers, entrepreneurs, elected officials, fathers, and friends. Yet, despite our integral role in American life, we have often been ignored and left behind by those in power. This neglect has bred a justified skepticism within our communities. We are called upon during election cycles, serving as a core voting bloc, but in the off-years, we feel unseen and unsupported by both major parties.

Now, however, we have a presidential candidate with the courage to change that. Earlier this month, Vice President Kamala Harris introduced her “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” a bold plan to address the systemic barriers Black men face and to ensure we are included in the nation's future. This is the first time a major political leader has put forward a comprehensive proposal that acknowledges a critical truth: the harm inflicted on our communities was often intentional, and it will take intentional efforts to correct it.

The “Opportunity Agenda” does more than identify the policies that have stifled Black men’s economic progress—it offers data-driven solutions that will uplift our communities for generations. Harris' plan includes forgivable loans for Black entrepreneurs, job training in high-demand industries, and prioritizing sectors like education to close employment gaps. She also aims to address the healthcare disparities affecting Black men by focusing on illnesses like sickle cell disease and prostate cancer.

One of the most significant aspects of Harris’ plan is her push to legalize cannabis and ensure Black entrepreneurs benefit from this billion-dollar industry. For decades, cannabis laws have been wielded as weapons against Black communities. Now, we have the chance to turn that pain into prosperity.

I know firsthand that these initiatives work because many of them have already been implemented in Maryland. As governor, I signed the "Access to Banking Act," which connects Black entrepreneurs with capital. We’re collaborating with the White House on the AHEAD Model to advance health equity. And this year, I granted the largest statewide pardon for cannabis convictions in U.S. history because we can’t celebrate the benefits of legalization without addressing the harm of criminalization.

Kamala Harris’ plan offers the tools to close the racial wealth gap and build a more just future. But it also challenges outdated thinking about who belongs in the American story. For a community that has long been excluded from political decision-making, her agenda signals that Black men are not just welcome at the table, but essential.

Throughout my youth, I looked at policies crafted in Washington and wondered, “Where do we fit in?” Now, decades later, Kamala Harris has answered that question with clarity and conviction. A Harris-Walz administration will ensure that the Black community is both seen and supported, and I have no doubt that Kamala Harris will be the kind of president who tackles the unique challenges facing Black men in the 21st century.

We have made progress as a nation, but there is still much work to be done. By supporting Kamala Harris and her vision, we can take the next step forward and elect a leader who will fight for us all.