By D. Kevin McNeir
AFRO Contributing Writer
kmcneir@afro.com
And
Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) returned with its 54th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in Washington, D.C at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center under the theme, “Made For This Moment: Power, Policy, and Progress.” With over 100 workshops and panels on the agenda, each year the conference serves as a critical time to address issues impacting the Black community. This year the annual event began on Sept. 24 and goes through Sept. 28, offering something for everyone.
Culture, education, health, wealth, racial justice and artificial intelligence (AI) were just some of the topics of discussion for the legislators, community leaders, students, CBCF interns and everyday people who attended this year.
This year’s opening press conference included a unique feature, as it was held not in the convention center, but rather at the Sycamore and Oak Cultural Center in Southeast Washington, D.C.
Before speakers stepped to the podium, the audience, which numbered close to 100 people, was entertained by Howard University’s “Showtime Marching Band.”
Rep. Terri Sewell, (D-Ala.), chair of CBCF, underscored the significance of the theme for the 54th ALC.
“While the challenges we face are great– so is our resolve,” she said. “We, too, are made for this moment. And ALC is more than just a gathering – it’s a movement.
“We knew that we had to come to the community this year to begin the conference because it’s our community that undergirds us and gives us our strength.”
Nicole Austin-Hillery, CBCF president and CEO, shared how a conversation with National Urban League president and CEO, Marc Morial, led to the CBCF holding two opening press conferences – one at the traditional Walter E. Washington Convention Center site, and the other in the heart of D.C.’s Ward 8 community.
“We wanted to let our community know that its leaders are standing up for them and giving voice on their behalf to address the challenges Black America is now facing,” she said. “This week is about celebration, if for no other reason than noting that we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of CBCF next year. But when the work is over, we will be sending all of the attendees out into the world with their marching orders. We can and will make America live up to its promises.”
How the next generation does their part
The AFRO spoke with two interns of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation who are actively helping members of the Congressional Black Caucus achieve their policy goals.
Shelton Fantroy, 21, a recent graduate of American University works as a legislative intern with a senator on the health committee.
“I studied public health in college. Translating that to the work I do in Congress has been amazing,” Fantroy told the AFRO. “I decided to do it because you realize, over time, the disparities that Black people go through in healthcare is so detrimental. I get to look at policies and see bills and bipartisan support to push for legislation and push for social impact that affects us directly– it’s some of the best work you can do.”
Fantroy said the CBCF internship gives him an opportunity to use his degree to the fullest extent.
“You’re actually applying it,” he said. “You can apply your education to the research and to memos and write-ups that you do. We do a lot of work looking at ways that we can best help our constituents when it comes specifically to healthcare,” he said.
Tierney Macon, 22, another CBCF intern and a recent graduate of Tuskegee University, uses her communication degree to help members of the CBC.
Though the internship has only been going four weeks so far, she has enjoyed every moment. As a CBCF intern, she said she takes pride in answering constituent calls and logging communications. Overall, she said she helps streamline work in the legislative offices so they remain productive.
“I applied for the program because I’ve always been about social change, and I knew that I always had a calling for public service. I grew up wanting to be a lawyer, but then I realized, you don’t necessarily have to be a lawyer to make community impact and help people, the real worker is in policy. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation provides those opportunities, especially for people that recently graduated. God opened that door for me, so I’m here.”
The interns joined thousands who gathered at the convention center for the numerous conversations about how to support the Black community on every level.
Damien Conners, a representative from the Kettering Foundation was a panelist at a session titled “reimagining democracy.” The purpose of the panel was to “talk about what it means in this moment to reimagine democracy as we’re experiencing the rise of authoritarianism in the United States,” Conners said.
Conners has attended the conference for 15 years, and said attendance this year was important.
“I just think that we’re in a moment where we’re at a reckoning point and we have to determine the kind of future that we want,” said Conners. “I think part of that means that we need to be able to dream together and work together to achieve that future.”
Aside from policy sessions taking place, a variety of signature events are slated for the weekend, The Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast will be held in Hall E on Sat. Sep. 27, with doors opening at 7am. Followed by the annual Phoenix Awards dinner, which recognizes individuals and their efforts to contribute to not just the Black culture, but the nation as a whole. It is one of the largest gatherings of political leaders, educators and other influential members of the community. The event also honors members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The conference will conclude Sunday, Sept. 28, with the Donald M. Payne Sr. Foreign Policy Fellowship Cruise. The annual cruise is a tribute to the former chairman of CBCF. The funds raised will support the Donald M. Payne Foreign Policy Fellows Program which provides leadership development for early career policy professionals. The cruise takes place aboard the Washington Odyssey and features food, entertainment, special guests and current fellows.