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A Seat at the Table - As African-Americans continue to grapple with tough issues in such areas as education, employment, housing and health care, it is critical that they have representatives at different tables working to ensure that they get their fair share. These key Democrats are making a difference at every level of politics in government and on the ground.—Joyce Jones (Photos: Courtesy Wikicommons) 

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Elijah Cummings - Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings is the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He was chosen for the position by his colleagues even though he wasn’t next in line because he’s tough and unafraid to stand up to the panel’s equally tough chairman. And if Democrats regain the House in November, he’ll be poised to head the powerful committee.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Kamala Harris - Attorney General Kamala Harris has been called “the female Barack Obama” — a rising star destined for much higher office. (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images

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Joyce Brayboy - Joyce Brayboy is vice president of government affairs at Goldman Sachs in Washington, D.C., has served as managing director at the government relations firm, the Glover Park Group, and was chief of staff for Rep. Mel Watt. The super lobbyist also is a Democratic Party super delegate. (Photo: Wikicommons)

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Kasim Reed - Under the leadership of Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta is an urban success story and African-Americans who could make it anywhere are choosing the ATL. He’s increased the city’s reserves and balanced its budget without raising taxes.(Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Keith Ellison - Rep. Keith Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to Congress and the first African-American to represent Minnesota. Ellison also is co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and has been one of the few members to openly support the Occupy Movement. (Photo: UPI/Kevin Dietsch /LANDOV)

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Cory Booker - Newark Mayor Cory Booker is a compassionate and charismatic leader and represents a new generation of pragmatic urban leaders.(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Donna Brazile - Veteran Democratic strategist Donna Brazile is a Democratic Party super delegate and a top-notch analyst of all things political. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

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Emanuel Cleaver - Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (Missouri), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, has managed to handle with grace the challenge of serving the nation’s first African-American president while challenging how the administration’s policies are impacting Blacks and minorities during a feeble economy. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

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James Clyburn - Rep. James Clyburn refused to go into the sunset when Democrats lost the House majority in 2010. The former Whip not only was given the newly created Assistant Democratic Leader position, ensuring that an African-American was part of House leadership, but also has been a key player during some of Congress’ most brutal battles, from raising the debt ceiling to lowering the deficit during the super committee negotiations.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Nicole Avant - Nicole Avant has deep ties to both the Democratic Party and the entertainment industry. In 2008, she raised millions for Barack Obama and recently returned to the U.S. from the Bahamas, where she served as ambassador, to do it again and also help mend fences between the president and Hollywood.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)