The Business of Politics Is Real—And Colorado’s Black Communities Must Engage It
By KHADIJA HAYNES In Colorado and across the country, politics is often talked about as public service. But let’s be honest: it’s also a business. A booming, well-funded, highly organized business. And if Colorado’s Black communities want to see real change—not just promises at election time—we need to understand how this business works, and more importantly, how to move within it. Here’s the truth: every campaign you see, from city council to Congress, runs like a small corporation. Candidates need money, marketing, consultants, digital strategies, and data operations. The 2023 Denver municipal elections alone brought in millions in campaign contributions, much of it from outside the communities most affected by the issues— affordable housing, economic equity, policing, and public education. Meanwhile, political consultants and lobbying firms shape policies at every level—from Capitol Hill to the Colorado General Assembly. These firms get paid to advance the agendas of those who can afford their services. If we’re not at that table, we’re not even on the menu. And yet, Black voters in Colorado often show up. We organize. We protest. We turn out. But we’re rarely the ones writing the checks, making the hires, or setting the terms of debate. That’s not a coincidence. It’s how the business of politics was built. To be clear: this isn’t about cynicism. It’s about clarity. We have to stop seeing politics as something that only happens during elections. It’s an everyday, full-time business that requires investment, strategy, and ownership. And just like any industry—media, real estate, tech—if we’re not participating in the economics of it, we’re not truly shaping it.
That means more Black-owned firms involved in political consulting. More Black entrepreneurs and civic groups pooling resources to fund candidates who reflect our values. More intentional lobbying—yes, lobbying—for issues like reparations, land access, education equity, and public safety reform. It means creating political education hubs that train the next generation not just to vote, but to run, fund, and govern. Colorado has the talent. We have the history. From Five Points to Aurora, from the Western Slope to the Capitol steps, our communities have always fought for dignity and representation. Now it’s time to turn power into infrastructure. The business of politics isn’t going away. So let’s make sure we’re not just the target audience— we’re also the shareholders. Because politics shouldn’t just be something done to us. It should be something shaped by us.
Khadija K. Haynes Photo: McBoat Photography.
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