Latinos being sought by AARP

AARP to increase Black, Latino membership
by Pharoh Martin, Chicago Defender

WASHINGTON – As the American population continues to brown, an increasing number of organizations are making calculated strides in an effort to ensure that the diversity of their membership mirrors the diversity of the nation. AARP, the premier advocacy group for older Americans, is such an organization.

The largest of its kind in the country, AARP has a membership base that is 88.5 percent white. Less than 5 percent of its 40 million cardcarrying members are African-American, according to organization officials.

The organization has appointed two executives to reach out to Black and Latino communities and spearhead initiatives that will increase Black membership.

“Last year, our executive team recognized that it was going to take an above and beyond effort to realize the growth in membership that we want. So they restructured and created new positions to be able to accommodate those goals,” said Edna Kane-Williams, vice president in charge of African American outreach. Kane-Williams’ counterpart, Raquel Egusquiza, heads the Latino outreach campaign.