Volume 134 No. 9
THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM
$2.00
$2.00
SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 - OCTOBER 3, 2025
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
Each year the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) hosts legislators, community leaders, students, activists and interns looking to make change. This year, the organization held its 54th Annual Legislative Conference inside of the Walter E. Washington, with a goal of addressing issues facing the community, drafting solutions and creating opportunities for Black people of all walks of life. Shown here, CBCF interns Jason Garcia (left), Robin Stevens, Alexis White, Amalia Desir and Collins Onyeike.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosts 54th annual legislative conference in nation’s capital By D. Kevin McNeir and Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Contributing and Staff Writers mcneir@afro.com vmejicanos@afro.com
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. Read more on AFRO.com
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
Sen. Clifford Joseph (left), Sen. Marise James, Senate President Milton Potter and Sen. Hubert Frederick all serve in the legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The four traveled from the Virgin Islands to collaborate with members of the Congressional Black Caucus with the common goal of improving life for Black people everywhere. See more of CBCF’s #ALC54 on A5
Copyright © 2025 by the Afro-American Company