I am deeply honored to have been endorsed by the Chicago Chapter-Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. I have included an excerpt from their website to give more background on them and who they represent.

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists consists of members from seventy-seven international and national unions with forty two chapters across the country. CBTU seeks to fulfill the dream of those Black trade unionists, both living and deceased, who throughout this century have courageously and unremittingly struggled to build a national movement that would bring all our strengths and varied talents to bear in the unending effort to achieve economic, political and social justice for every American.

The basic objectives of the CBTU are reflected in its activities and projects:

•Improve economic development and employment opportunities for black workers.

•Work within the framework of the trade union movement to provide a voice and vehicle for greater black and minority participation.

•Increase union involvement in voter registration, voter education and voter turnout projects.

•Organize unorganized workers.

•Actively support civil rights and civic groups working to improve living and working conditions in the black community.

•Increase effective political alliances between labor, churches and the general community.
CBTU will continue to support job training initiatives and programs aimed at reducing the black youth unemployment rate, which consistently hovers around 50%. Recognizing the correlation between youth unemployment and education, CBTU chapters continue their support for the public school systems and oppose reduced funding for educational projects and programs, particularly those involving inner city schools.

CBTU will continue to work for protection of consumers from escalating price increase for the four necessities of life: food, energy, housing and medical care, the areas where inflation hits hardest. We oppose cutbacks in social programs, health, welfare, aid to the cities and support services for the disadvantaged until they are replaced with full employment and other necessary safety nets.

We pledge to work in coalition with organized labor and other allies whose mission is consistent with these objectives.

I just wanted to let you know about the upgrades to my campaign blog, http://vote4valerie.blogspot.com. I have added the following pages:

Add Your Event to Valerie’s Calendar
This page is a list of my calendar of events from now until the February 22 election. If you have an event or meeting that I should attend, or would like to meet with me, feel free to let me know through e-mail (valeriefleonard@msn.com), or by visiting my website, http://vote4valerie.voterspace.com and clicking onto the “Invite to Speak” button.

Valerie on the Issues
This page has an overview of my approach to the office of Alderman, and my agenda for the 24th Ward by issue area. The detailed agenda for each area will be released after each town hall meeting. My education agenda has been posted.

Valerie in the News
This page has links to news stories that either feature work that I have done, or includes quotes from me.

Donate Now
This page has a link to the donation page on my website and gives a mailing address for donations.

Valerie’s Bio
This page has a link to my campaign bio that may be downloaded and forwarded to others.

Resources
This page has a link to the Chicago Board of Elections website, and other websites and bulletin boards that I have created and manage. I will be updating this page as needed. Please feel free to share links that you think should be included.

Videos
This page has links to YouTube videos featuring clips from my campaign kickoff. It will be updated to include other campaign clips.

Social Networks
This page has links to my Facebook Page, Twitter page and EveryblockChicago-24th Ward

Please feel free to visit my website and blog the Chicago Way–early and often.

Thanks for making my Online Candidates profile the most popular in the State of Illinois and the United States.  My profile has more hits than any other candidate registered on the site, even though some others have been there longer.Check out updates to my Online Candidates Profile.
http://onlinecandidatelinks.com/citizens-to-elect-valerie-f.-leonard.html