A new national organization of black Republicans is set to launch Monday, hoping to effectively represent the party's ideals in the African-American community.

The National Black Republican Association will make its announcement at a Washington, D.C, law firm.

"The creation of the National Black Republican Association is the product of the dreams and efforts of scores of black Republicans across the nation," said interim Chairperson Frances Rice, co-founder of a black Republican group in Sarasota, Fla. "Black grass-roots activists have always been involved locally and nationally within the Republican Party, but there was always agreement that we needed a national organization to represent the interests of Republicans in the black community. We also needed an organization that will effectively counter the disinformation concerning Republicans being perpetuated by the Democratic Party."

The mission of the new group is to be educate the black community on Republican ideals and to support the principles of the Republican Party. It hopes to "increase the number of black Americans who vote for Republicans, and are active in the Republican Party, by providing information, networking opportunities and resources for black Republicans nationwide," said a statement from the organization.

The NBRA also will identify black Republicans as potential candidates and will financially support those who run for office.

"These are exciting times for black Republicans," said Donald Scoggins, interim co-chairman and president of a black Republican group in Virginia. "One important aim of the NBRA is to empower the people by championing opportunity scholarships for black children and helping black Americans move into our Ownership Society. With the help of our supporters, the NBRA will change the political landscape, for the sake of our future generations."

Said NBRA Communications Director Christopher Arps: "We have witnessed the experiment of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society programs of the 1960s. Though a noble cause, these programs have unintentionally created a permanent underclass. The consequences of the Great Society has created conditions of teen pregnancy being too high, and too many of our young black men turning to a life of crime and drug abuse.

"These chronic problems are shouting for new leadership and new solutions. The NBRA will address those problems by supporting and electing African American candidates who support our traditional and faith based values."

African-Americans traditionally vote for Democrat candidates in large numbers. In some races, as many as 80 or 90 percent of black voters vote Democratic.