47TH
ANNUAL
L E G I S L AT I V E
CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 20 – 24, 2017 CBCFINC.ORG/ALC17 | #CBCFALC17
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER SPECIAL ISSUE LIMITED EDITION
NEWSPAPER READING IS A HABIT DON’T BREAK THE HABIT!
READ THE WASHINGTON INFORMER YOUR WAY: In Print – feel the ink between your fingers of our Award Winning Print Edition
n
On the Web – www.washingtoninformer.com updated throughout the day, every day
n
n
On your tablet
n
On your smartphone
n
n
n
Weekly Email Blast – sign up at www.washingtoninformer.com
202-561-4100 For advertising contact Ron Burke at rburke@washingtoninformer.com
...Informing you everyday in every way
In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com
PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes STAFF D. Kevin McNeir, Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Assistant Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor ZebraDesigns.net, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Dr. Charles Vincent, Social Sightings columnist Tatiana Moten, Social Media Specialist Angie Johnson, Circulation REPORTERS Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Timothy Cox, Will Ford (Prince George’s County Writer), Eve M. Ferguson, Hamil Harris, Tatyana Hopkins, Jade JamesGist, D. Kevin McNeir, Lauren Poteat, Martell Pegues, Dorothy Rowley, Sarafina Wright (General Assignment Writer) PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. DeFreitas, Shevry Lassiter, Roy Lewis, Demetrious Kinney, Mark Mahonny, Lateef Mangum, Travis Riddick
GREETINGS FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS, On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF), I am honored to welcome you to our 47th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). This year’s conference theme, “And Still I RISE”, reflects a legacy of resilience that emphasizes the collective strength of the black community to rise above continued racial inequalities. During ALC, we will explore the critical policy issues of education, economic development, public health, voting rights and environmental issues, among many others. The CBCF is proud to offer the community we serve a special print edition that includes indepth information about CBCF programs, ALC policy sessions, panelists and signature events. We know that this would not be possible without the continued support of the Washington Informer, a multimedia news oulet that shares our mission to advance the global black community. Each year, the ALC brings together nearly 10,000 attendees — representing community stakeholders, the business sector, emerging leaders, elected officials, dignitaries, mainstream and minority media, students and every day Americans — to participate in solution-centered sessions on issues that impact African Americans and black communities worldwide. This year, attendees can look forward to the highly-anticipated National Town Hall entitled, “Fighting the Systemic Destruction of our Civil Rights”; and the Prayer Breakfast featuring Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Pastor Shirley Caesar and keynote speaker Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. of West Angeles Church of God in Christ. The Authors Pavilion, showcasing contemporary African-American literature, will return this year; and the newly expanded Meet and Match procurement forum will offer small businesses contracts on-site. The apex of the conference will be our signature black tie event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner, which recognizes individuals who make extraordinary humanitarian contributions to our society. I invite you to continue the conversations we begin at the ALC on social media. Tweet us directly @CBCFInc and use the official hashtag, #CBCFALC17, to share your favorite moments and thoughts about the conference. I also encourage you to download our conference companion app, CBCF ALC 17, available in the Apple and Android Google Play stores. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to CBCF’s mission. You will leave the conference energized and equipped to be the change you want to see in your community and world. For more information about the CBCF and the ALC, visit www.cbcfinc.org.
"EACH YEAR, THE ALC BRINGS TOGETHER NEARLY 10,000 ATTENDEES — REPRESENTING COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, THE BUSINESS SECTOR, EMERGING LEADERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, DIGNITARIES, MAINSTREAM AND MINORITY MEDIA, STUDENTS AND EVERY DAY AMERICANS — TO PARTICIPATE IN SOLUTION-CENTERED SESSIONS ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT AFRICAN AMERICANS AND BLACK COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE. "
Sincerely, A. Shuanise Washington President and CEO Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
2
CAN DEMOCRATS RE-TAKE CONTROL DURING 2018 MIDTERMS? By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer As President Donald Trump continues to confound Americans with his unsteady approach to the Oval Office and his troubling world views, Democrats aren’t taking anything for granted. They’re already preparing for the all-important 2018 midterm elections they hope will result in winning back the Republican-controlled House. Texas Rep. Al Green said Americans ultimately have the final say and he looks to voters to make the determination of just how critical the election may be. “If you are concerned about your health care and whether pre-existing conditions will be covered unconditionally, then probably the midterms are important to you,” he said. “If you are concerned how we fund a tax bill, fund an infrastructure bill, based upon the aid to people who receive Medicaid, meaning cut Medicaid so you can fund a tax plan, to be able to have an infrastructure bill, if those kinds of things concern you, then this election ought to be important to you,” Green said. The congressman continued: “If you care about whether or not you’ll be able to apply for a loan and not have the person who originates the loan get a kickback based on how high they can take your interest rate, then this election is pretty important because they are getting ready to repeal Dodd Frank and Dodd Frank prevented the loan officer from meeting you, receiving your loan information and qualifying you at 5 percent, shake your hand, smile in your face and then say, ‘Great news, you have a 9 percent loan.’” In 2018, Democrats must retain 25 Senate seats that are up for grabs – 10 in states that Trump carried last year. Reportedly, Democrats will need 24 seats to win the majority in the House. It’s also important to note that there are key gubernatorial races also on the ballot, including in Florida, a swing state. Lydia Hudson, the president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, said it’s imperative
3
that voters in the Sunshine State replace Republican Gov. Rick Scott with someone who cares about African Americans and the community. “We have the governor’s race where the governor is termed out so we have an opportunity to put a Democrat in that position who will represent the community and the values we have as African Americans,” Hudson said. “In Florida, the living wage is ridiculously low and we have a situation where we have to make sure we put someone in that seat that will take care of the people who need the most help,” she said. Hudson continued: “Obviously, we have to make sure we send enough Democrats to Washington so that we can resist number 45. What the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida has been doing, and we’ve been active for years, is our year-long voter registration and voter education because if you don’t educate a person on why they should vote, then registration
does no good,” she said. Hudson has challenged each of her chapter presidents to do more. She said if they registered 100 individuals last year, then she’s asked that they register 25 percent more. “If you knocked on 100 doors, let’s increase that by 25 percent,” Hudson said. “We need to make sure that we deal with people who are being disenfranchised. Right now, we’re canvassing, knocking on doors and we have been able to get people engaged early because we have some seats even here on the state level that we need,” she said. Also in the south, Buquilla Ervin-Cannon, the president of the South Carolina Chapter of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network – or NAN – has gotten an early start on voter registration drives and on recruiting youth to get out and vote. She’s also helped to facilitate a smooth trip to the polls for those who will be voting in the midterms. “We elect officials to serve
"WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC BLACK CAUCUS OF FLORIDA HAS BEEN DOING, AND WE’VE BEEN ACTIVE FOR YEARS, IS OUR YEAR-LONG VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER EDUCATION BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T EDUCATE A PERSON ON WHY THEY SHOULD VOTE, THEN REGISTRATION DOES NO GOOD.” us and I’m so concerned about the 2018 mid-terms and NAN is concerned about the midterms,” Ervin-Cannon said, noting that among the many unanswered questions are why did 93 million registered voters decline to cast a ballot in the 2016 presidential election. “That’s why we are where we are today,” she said, referring to what’s been a chaotic and controversial new administration. “I feel that officials from the
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
local to the federal level should be accountable for the district they serve. They should be accessible to their constituents,” Ervin-Cannon said. Further, elected officials on all levels should hold meetings in their districts to ascertain the needs of those who live there, she said. Particularly irksome to Ervin-Cannon is what she says is a country-wide trend where parts of a town comprise of wealthy and well-kept neighborhoods while other parts feature condemned property and ghettos. D.C. Democratic Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton said she’s especially focused on a few states for the midterms. “I’m, keeping my eyes on the 10 states that Trump won that have Democratic Senators up for reelection – Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Dakota, Florida, Michigan, and Montana. And then, the Midwest states that Clinton barely lost to Trump are particularly important too: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania,” Norton said. “However, in this region I am most focused on the upcoming 2017 gubernatorial and local elections here in Virginia, which will be a bellwether for the 2018 midterms,” she said. Congressional Black Caucus members are among those in the safest seats, particularly considering the president’s loss of support among independents and even a sliding reduction of support among Republicans, Norton said. “Next year’s midterms are very important because Democrats have a chance to take back the House, checked only by massive post-2010 Republican gerrymandering of seats, and the Senate, or at least do so well that both could be within reach in 2020,” she said.
“There are a disproportionate number of Senate seats up next year – including 23 Democrats and two Independents who caucus with Democrats, compared to only eight Republican incumbents – but Democrats could take back the Senate if we do not lose any seats in light of how close Democrats are to having the majority now,” Norton said. WI
T:9.5”
T:12.375”
AARP believes in the ght for the empowerment of all people and all communities. Go to aarp.org/blackcommunity Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP®
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
4
CBCF ALC 2017 FULL SESSION EVENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Registration / Ticketing Open 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM PDS-NMA (Meal Room) 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Professional Development Series in Cooperation with the National Medical Association 8:25 AM - 5:00 PM Professional Development Series for Educators 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Professional Development Series in Cooperation with the National Medical Association / Health & Wellness 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Professional Development Series – EDUCATORS – Opening and Welcoming Remarks / Education and Labor 8:45 AM - 6:00 PM Professional Development Series for Educators 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CBCF Opening Press Conference / Special Events 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM The Conversation: Keynote and Q&A with Christopher Emdin,Ph.D. / Education and Labor 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Health and Wellness Luncheon / Health & Wellness 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Increasing Opportunities for Minority and Women Owned Asset Managers / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize: Strategies for Sustaining Optimism / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM Professional Development Series for Civic Engagement sponsored by the National Urban League
5
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Improving Correctional and Re-entry Outcomes presented with the Augustus Hawkins Foundation Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Black Women's Roundtable 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Where Do We Go From Here? Politics or Protest in the PostObama Era / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Opportunities in Homeland Security 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Screens, “Released” Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Today's Challenges and Opportunities in Front of and Behind the Camera 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM SOJOURNER TRUTH Legacy Project Town Hall : Black Women & Girls in the U.S. Criminal Justice System: School to Prison Pipeline / Special Events 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM CBC Spouses 21st Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts – Ticketed Event Only / Special Events
Thursday, September 21, 2017 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM Community Breakfast and Health Fair / Special Events 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM New Attendee Welcome* Invitation Only Event / Special Events 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Registration / Ticketing Open 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM NATIONAL TOWN HALL: Fighting the Systemic Destruction of our Civil Rights / Special Events 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Money, Wealth and Disparities:Keeping It Real Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
CBCF ALC 2017 FULL SESSION EVENT SCHEDULE 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Keeping it Green: Our Earth, Economic Development and Justice for All / Energy and the Environment 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM HBCU Braintrust / Education and Labor
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Fighting Poverty and Building Economic Security: How to combat President Trump / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Medicare for All: Because Obamacare Alone Isn’t Enough / Health & Wellness
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Authors' Pavilion 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM GENERAL SESSION LUNCHEON Due to limited capacity, seating is on a first come, first served basis. / Special Events 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM EXHIBIT SHOWCASE- Grand Opening / Special Events 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM AFT Legislative Luncheon 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM AVOICE: Social Justice and Digital Activism / Education and Labor 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Caring for His Creation: How the Faith Community Can Lead on Environmental Justice / Energy and the Environment 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM EMERGING LEADERS- POWER Luncheon / Emerging Leaders 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Disparity in Treatment and Care of Obesity in the African American Community 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Health Policy Session / Health & Wellness
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Minorities - Redefining Ourselves: In Front of And Behind the Camera 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM ReCentering the Experiences of Black Women to achieve Economic Justice 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM The History of Policing Black America and its 13th Amendment Roots / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM International Agenda Setting-Becoming a Global Citizen / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM Valuing Black Lives Part I 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CBC Spouses Youth Issue Forum: The Legacy of Black Entrepreneurship / Special Events 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Education Braintrust : From Brown to Fisher: Increasing Racial Diversity to improve educational equity / Education and Labor
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Jazz Issue Forum
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham Memorial Voting Rights Braintrust / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Black Immigrant Rights / Foreign Affairs & National Security
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM I'm Every Woman: Saving Our Sistahs / Health & Wellness
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Criminal Justice Policy / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Innocence Denied: Exploring the Intersection of Race, Bail and Guilty Pleas / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM DC Autonomy in the Era of Donald Trump / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM President Obama's Legacy on Fatherhood, Men & Boys presented with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
6
CBCF ALC 2017 FULL SESSION EVENT SCHEDULE 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM The Crisis of Domestic Violence and Mass Incarceration Amongst Women of Color and Juvenile / Justice Reform Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM The Impact of the Decline of African Americans in the Medical Profession / Health & Wellness 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM The State of Housing in Black America: Looking into the Future/ Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Lights, Camera, Action: Being A Media Mogul / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Putting Black America to Work: the New Skilled Trade Workforce / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Transportation Braintrust / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Jobs Now: How King’s Full Employment Vision Can Defeat Trumpism / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Beyond Brown v. Board of Education: Investing in Black Teachers / Education and Labor
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Jazz Concert- 32nd Anniversary Celebration / Special Events 8:00 PM - 11:59 PM Sojourner Truth Women's Leadership Reception / Special Events
Friday, September 22, 2017 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Registration / Ticketing Open 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM JUDICIARY BRAINTRUST: Criminal Justice Reform: Making America Accountable for Black Lives / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM A Millennial Take on Transportation and Infrastructure in the United States / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM STEAM I: Expanding STEM & the Arts for Underrepresented Youth / Science and Technology 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Black Elected Officials Roundtable / Community Outreach /Civic Engagement 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Child Welfare Braintrust
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Preventative Strategies for Black Youth in the Juvenile Justice System / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Financial Services Braintrust / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM The Activist Athlete / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Glancing Towards the Future: To Technology and Beyond / Science and Technology
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Leadership Reception - Honoring Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus / Special Events
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM How to Stop the Bleeding: Rebuilding Our Black Neighborhoods / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CBCF Chair and Board of Directors' Reception / Special Events
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Monetary Policy, Economic Inequality, and the African-American Community
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Gospel Extravaganza (Limited Capacity) / Special Events
7
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Prostate Cancer Disparities in African American Men Health & Wellness
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
CBCF ALC 2017 FULL SESSION EVENT SCHEDULE 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM The Future of Our Health - Health 2020 Townhall / Health & Wellness
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM The Resistance: An Intersectional Strategy Session / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM VETERANS BRAINTRUST Community Outreach / Civic Engagement
1:00 PM - 2:45 PM JUDICIARY BRAINTRUST: Haiti: Empowerment Beyond Our Borders / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM AFRICA BRAINTRUST: Renewing Our Commitment and Engagement with Africa / Foreign Affairs & National Security
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM The Chibok Girls / Education and Labor
11:00 AM - 12:45 PM JUDICIARY BRAINTRUST: Voting Rights: Engaging Activism Beyond the Ballot Box / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Valuing Black Lives Part II / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Authors' Pavilion
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Breaking Down Barriers to Boards: Corporate Diversity / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Hip Hop and Politics: Rhymes, Revolution, Renaissance / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Leading Urban Schools in the New Jim Crow: Education, Leadership & Policy / Education and Labor
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM OPEN 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Breaking Down Barriers to the C-Suite: The Power of the CEO. / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Environmental Justice Braintrust / Energy and the Environment
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM This Land Is Your Land: Financial and Health Benefits of Government Land / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM WATER: Access, Opportunity and Environmental Sustainability in the Black Community / Energy and the Environment 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Agriculture Wealth Creation: Owning and Growing Our Land / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Haitian Immigration 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pro-Athletes: Life After the Game / Community Outreach / Civic Engagement 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Restore the VOTE--Election Integrity in the Era of Trump / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Impact of Energy on the Global Economy and Communities of Color / Energy and the Environment
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Community Health Centers: From the Battle For Civil Rights to the CHC Funding / Health & Wellness 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Criminal Justice Reform: Sound Bites and Slogans vs. Real Reform / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EMERGING LEADERS Town Hall: Laying the Foundation: A Cross-Sectional Discussion of Black Executives in America / Emerging Leaders
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM STEAM II: Interactive STEAM Student Workshop / Science and Technology THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
8
CBCF ALC 2017 FULL SESSION EVENT SCHEDULE 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM How to Break into thriving Public and Private Sector Industries and Create Jobs / Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Meet/Match Procurement Fair - Suppliers Doing Business with the Public and Private Sector. REGISTER at http://www.cbcfinc.org/alcmeetmatch 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Protecting Gains, Accelerating Progress: Fighting HIV/AIDS in the Trump Era / Health & Wellness 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Walking While Black Movie Screening and NFL Players Speak Up / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Young, Gifted and Black Braintrust / Emerging Leaders 3:00 PM - 4:45 PM JUDICIARY BRAINTRUST: HR40: Deconstructing Institutionalized Racism / Civil Rights, Judiciary & History 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Imagining a Bigger World - Marvel's Black Panther, Cultural Heritage and STEM 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM License to Hate: How to Combat Hate in the Age of Trump / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Our Food Policy is Our Foreign Policy: Food & Global Sustainability / Foreign Affairs & National Security 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Smart Cities and YOU: The Future is Here, Don't Get Left Behind
Saturday, September 23, 2017 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Registration / Ticketing Open 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM Prayer Breakfast Ticketed Event / Special Events 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM EXHIBIT SHOWCASE / Special Events 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Authors' Pavilion 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Automation: How New Technologies will Impact the Workforce of Color / Education and Labor 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Convicted, Out of Jail, Out of Work, Out of Prison: Re-Entry / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Empowering Business Development and Economic Inclusion Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Not for Sistahs Only: From Devastation (2016) to Destination (2018) / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM Faith Leaders Roundtable / Community Outreach/Civic Engagement 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Pre-Dinner Reception Invitation Only / Special Events 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM Phoenix Awards Dinner Ticketed Event / Special Events
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM Black Men and Boys / Education and Labor
Sunday, September 24, 2017
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CBCF Alumni Association Networking Reception / Emerging Leaders
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Donald M. Payne Memorial Fellowship Cruise Invitation Only / Special Events
9:00 PM - 1:00 AM The Black Party- Live & Direct III* Ticketed Event / Special Events
9
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
“Look Who’s Reading The Washington Informer”
Your Link to the African American Community
Denise Rolark Barnes Publisher The Washington Informer
Visit us at www.washingtoninformer.com FOLLOW US ON
NNPA Ad.indd 1
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM 5/25/17 2:42 10 PM
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS LEADERSHIP
REP. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND CHAIRMAN • D-LA-02
REP. ANDRE´ CARSON
FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN • D-IN-07
REP. BRENDA LAWRENCE
ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
SECRETARY • D-MI-14
11
Since its establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has been committed to using the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. As part of this commitment, the CBC has fought for the past 46 years to empower these citizens and address their legislative concerns by pursuing a policy agenda that includes but is not limited to the following: • reforming the criminal justice system and eliminating barriers to reentry; • combatting voter suppression; • expanding access to worldclass education from pre-k through post-secondary level; • expanding access to quality, affordable health care and eliminating racial health disparities;
REP. KAREN BASS
SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN • D-CA-37
REP. ANTHONY BROWN
PARLIAMENTARIAN • D-MD-04
• expanding access to 21st century technologies, including broadband; • strengthening protections for workers and expanding access to full, fairly-compensated employment; • expanding access to capital, contracts, and counseling for minority-owned businesses; and • promoting U.S. foreign policy initiatives in Africa and other countries that are consistent with the fundamental right of human dignity. For the 115th Congress, the CBC has a historic 49 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, representing 78 million Americans, 24 percent of the total U.S. population, and 17 million African-Americans, 41 percent of the total U.S. African-American population. In addition, the CBC represents almost a fourth of the House Democratic Caucus. The CBC is engaged at the highest levels of Congress with members who serve in House
REP. GWEN MOORE WHIP • D-WI-04
REP. YVETTE D. CLARKE
MEMBER-AT-LARGE • D-NY-09
leadership and are full committee and subcommittee Ranking Members. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader in the House, six CBC members serve as Ranking Members on full House committees, and 31 CBC members serve as Ranking Members on House and Senate subcommittees. While the CBC has predominately been made up of members of the Democratic Party,
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
the founding members of the caucus envisioned a non-partisan organization. Consequently, the CBC has a long history of bipartisan collaboration and members who are both Democrat and Republican. As founding member Rep. William L. Clay, Sr. said when the CBC was established, “Black people have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies…just permanent interests.” WI
CBC MEMBERS OF THE 115TH CONGRESS
REP. ALMA ADAMS
REP. KAREN BASS
REP. JOYCE BEATTY
The 100th woman elected to Congress, Rep. Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. was sworn in on November 12, 2014. The Congresswoman is the founder of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and is the Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus. A longtime public servant, Rep. Adams served in the state House, and is the first African-American woman ever elected to the Greensboro County school board.
Rep. Karen Bass serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she is ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and the House Judiciary Committee. She was selected to serve on the Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus. Prior to serving in Congress, she made history as the first African-American woman to serve as Speaker of the California Assembly. As Speaker, she helped California recover from the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
SENATOR CORY A. BOOKER Since being elected to the Senate in October 2013, Sen. Cory Booker has been innovative and persistent in working to create new jobs and improve economic opportunity for all New Jersey residents. Prior to the Senate, Booker served as the mayor of Newark, where he presided over the city’s greatest period of economic growth since the 1960’s. Throughout his seventeen years in public service, Booker has established himself as a creative problem solver who seeks bipartisan solutions.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty represents the 3rd District of Ohio. She serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and is a Co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Taskforce on Economic Development and Wealth Creation. Rep. Beatty understands the core elements needed for lifelong success--economic security, financial literacy, access to affordable higher education, quality healthcare and equal voting rights.
REP. SANFORD D. BISHOP JR.
REP. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER
Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. is serving his 13th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. He sits on the House Committee on Appropriations. Rep. Bishop was elected to Congress in 1992 after serving in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1977 to 1990 and in the Georgia Senate from 1991 to 1992.
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester began her career as a problem-solver and an advocate as a caseworker for then-Congressman Carper. She served in the cabinets of two Delaware governors as the first African-American Secretary of Labor and the first African-American Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and State Personnel Director. Later, she served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. Lisa made history in 2016 when she was elected to Congress, as the first African-American women to represent Delaware.
REP.ANTHONY G.BROWN
REP. G. K. BUTTERFIELD
REP. ANDRÉ CARSON
REP. YVETTE D. CLARKE
Rep. Anthony G. Brown is serving his first term representing Maryland’s fourth Congressional District. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee and Committee on Natural Resources. Anthony is an Assistant Democratic Whip and the only Freshman member on the Executive Committee of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Anthony joins Congress after serving eight years as Maryland’s Lt. Governor and eight years as Majority Whip of the Maryland House of Delegates. A retired Colonel in the US Army Reserve and recipient of the Legion of Merit, Brown’s distinguished military record has spanned over 25 years, including a tour in Iraq.
Rep. G. K. Butterfield is a life-long resident of eastern North Carolina. In Congress, he serves on the Committee on Energy & Commerce, as well as in the Democratic leadership as Chief Deputy Whip. Prior to his election to Congress in 2004, he practiced civil rights law, served as a Resident Superior Court Judge, and an Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Currently, he sits on the Committee on Energy & Commerce as a senior Democrat on the Subcommittees on Health, Communications & Technology, and Energy.
Congressman Andre Carson was elected to Congress in 2008 and is currently a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He also serves as a Senior Whip for the House Democratic Caucus, sits on the powerful Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Executive Leadership Team. Prior to coming to Congress, Carson worked in law enforcement and served on the Indianapolis City- Council.
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke was elected to Congress in 2007. Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives, Rep. Clarke served on the New York City Council succeeding her pioneering mother Dr. Una S. T. Clarke and making them the first mother-daughter succession in the history of the City Council. In the 115th Congress, Rep. Clarke serves on the following committees: Energy and Commerce, Small Business, and Ethics. She also serves on the Congressional Black Caucus Executive Board and as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
12
CBC MEMBERS OF THE 115TH CONGRESS
REP. WILLIAM L. CLAY
REP. JAMES E. CLYBURN
REP. JOHN CONYERS
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II is the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus, and a proud former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Representative Cleaver served twelve years on the City Council of Kansas City, and was elected as the city’s first African-American Mayor in 1991.
Rep. James E. Clyburn is a 13thterm Democrat from South Carolina. He is currently the House Assistant Democratic Leader. Rep. Clyburn is a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the former Vice Chair and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the first African American elected to Congress from South Carolina since the 19th century. He is currently the highest-ranking African American in the House of Representatives and Chair of the House Democrats' Democratic Faith Working Group.
Congressman John Conyers, Jr. is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, a Founding Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the first African-American Dean of Congress. In his 50 plus years of public service, some of his major accomplishments include the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, the Motor Voter Bill of 1993, the Jazz Preservation Act of 1987, and the Martin Luther King Holiday Act of 1983.
REP. DANNY K. DAVIS
REP. VAL DEMINGS
REP. KEITH ELLISON
REP. DWIGHT EVANS
REP. MARCIA L. FUDGE
Rep. Danny K. Davis elected to Congress on November 5, 1996. Rep. Davis proudly serves on the Committee on Ways & Means. He also is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Human Resources. Rep. Davis is a memeber of several Congressional Caucuses including, Congressional Black Caucus, Progressive Caucus, Urban Caucus, Foster Care Caucus, Community Health Center's Caucus, Congressional Sugar Caucus and the Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys. Rep. Davis maintains his focus on job creation, poverty, education, health care, trade, youth and criminal justice reform.
Congresswoman Val Demings was sworn in on January 3, 2017. She sits on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Committee on Homeland Security. She is a ranking member on the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs, and sits on the Subcommittee for National Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. Before being elected to Congress, she spent 27 years at the Orlando Police Department where she became the first woman to serve as Chief of Police. As Chief, she reduced violent crime in Orlando by 40%, the most dramatic decrease in the city’s history.
Rep. Keith Ellison was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on January 4, 2007. His roots as a community activist and his message of inclusivity through democratic participation resonates throughout his district. His priorities in Congress are: promoting peace, prosperity for working families, environmental sustainability, and civil and human rights. He serves in a number of leadership posts including co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a Chief Deputy Whip.
In 1980, at the age of 26, Congressman Evans was elected State Representative. Evans made history in 1990 as the first African-American Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which he held for two decades. Evans championed the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, linking public and private funds to expand and build grocery stores in food deserts across Pennsylvania. The initiative created over 5,000 jobs and brought nearly 100 grocery stores to undeserved areas in Pennsylvania. He has worked tirelessly to expand access to economic and educational opportunities for Philadelphians and communities across the nation.
Congresswoman Marcia Fudge is a committed public servant who brings a hardworking, problem-solving spirit to Congress. She is dedicated to creating jobs, protecting safety net programs, and improving access to quality public education, healthcare and healthy foods. Congresswoman Fudge serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Education and the Workforce. She is Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. She is also a Member of several Congressional Caucuses and a past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
Congressman William Lacy Clay has been serving his district since 2001. He succeeded his father, former Congressman Bill Clay, a founding Member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Clay is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and the House Natural Resources Committee.
13
REP. EMANUEL CLEAVER II
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
REP. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS Rep. Elijah E. Cummings was elected to Congress in 1996. He is the Ranking Member on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He also serves as a Senior Member on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. A former CBC Chair, Rep. Cummings is co-chair of the CBC Religious, Faith and Policy Taskforce. Rep. Cummings is a strong advocate for the underserved and is committed to ensuring that all Americans have access to quality healthcare, education and a strong economy.
CBC MEMBERS OF THE 115TH CONGRESS
REP. AL GREEN Representative Al Green joined the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2005. Rep. Green sits on the Financial Services Committee and serves as Ranking Member on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. He attended Tuskegee University, Florida A&M University, and Howard University. Before receiving an undergraduate degree, he enrolled in the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1973. Rep. Green is a member of the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
REP. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON Congresswoman Johnson is the first nurse elected to the U.S. Congress. She also served in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate. In December 2010, Congresswoman Johnson was elected as the first African-American and first female Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. She became the first African-American and first female Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. She is credited with authoring more than 150 bills that have become law.
SENATOR KAMALA HARRIS A lifelong public safety and civil rights leader, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris was the first African-American and first woman to serve as Attorney General of California, and the second African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate in history. Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases. In 1998, she joined the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she led the Career Criminal Unit. She also served as the head of the San Francisco City Attorney’s Division on Children and Families.
REP. ALCEE L. HASTINGS Rep. Alcee L. Hastings was elected to Congress in 1992. He is one of the first African Americans elected from Florida since post-Civil War reconstruction. Rep. Hastings serves as a Senior Democratic Whip and Senior Member of the House Rules Committee. He is also the Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, as well as the co-chairman of the Florida delegation. In addition, Rep. Hastings was the first and only American to ever have served as the President of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly.
REP. HENRY JOHNSON
REP. ROBIN L. KELLY
Congressman Johnson has distinguished himself as a substantive lawmaker and national progressive voice. Named one of the most effective Democrats by a University of Virginina and University of Vanderbilt study, Johnson has proven his ability to get things done. On the House Judiciary Committee, Johnson champions legislation that protects consumers and ensures fairness in the courts. As Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Johnson fights for robust federal investments that put Americans to work rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.
Rep. Robin L. Kelly has worked to expand economic opportunity, promote health and public safety. Congresswoman Kelly chairs the Congressional Black Caucus’s (CBC) Health Braintrust, which works to address minority health disparities, she authored the pioneering "Kelly Report on Health Disparities in America," which analyzed the health disparities crisis in America, and is Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and GIrls. Additionally, Kelly serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and is the Ranking Member of the Information Technologh Subcommittee on Oversight.
REP. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, now in her fourteenth term as a Represenative, is the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. She serves on two committees: the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Congresswoman's work for full congressional voting representation and full democracy for the people of the District of Columbia continues her lifelong struggle for universal human and civil rights.
REP. BRENDA L. LAWRENCE Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence has dedicated her life to public service. The Detroit native worked her way from postal carrier to human resources executive at the United States Postal Service. Her political career began with her election to the Southfield Public School Board and culminated in her 2014 election to the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on the Interior, and serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and also is an executive member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES Rep Jeffries has been at the forefront of a wide range of social justice and progressive initiatives, fighting for job creation, quality education, affordable housing, gun control and a fair minimum wage. Rep. Jeffries is a CoChair of the House Democratic Policy & Communications Committee, having been elected to that position overwhelmingly by his colleagues. In that capacity, he is a member of the Democratic Leadership Team and helps run the messaging apparatus for the House Democrats.
REP. AL LAWSON Congressman Al Lawson is a committed public servant who brings a hard-working, problem-solving spirit to the task of creating jobs, improving access to quality education, working to create safe and affordable housing, protecting social security, and fighting for our brave veterans. Rep. Lawson served in the Florida state legislature for 28 years. A native of Midway, Florida, Rep. Lawson holds degrees from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Florida State University.
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
14
CBC MEMBERS OF THE 115TH CONGRESS
REP. BARBARA LEE
REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE
REP. JOHN LEWIS
REP. MIA B. LOVE
Congresswoman Barbara Lee serves on the Appropriations and Budget Committees; is a Senior Democratic Whip; Chair of the Democratic Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity. Rep. Lee is former co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Rep. Lee has authored or coauthored all major legislation relating to HIV/AIDS and is co-chair of the Congressional HIV/ AIDS Caucus. In 2005, Lee was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in global peace, security. Congresswoman Lee is the lone Member of Congress to vote against the 2001 AUMF.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is serving her twelfth term as a member of the United States House of Representatives. She has served on various committees including the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Budget. She currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. Rep. Jackson Lee is a senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University with honors and a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School.
Rep. John Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and is the ranking Democrat on its Subcommittee on Oversight. Rep. Lewis is senior chief deputy Democratic Whip and is often referred to as the “conscience” of the United States Congress. Rep. Lewis is an icon of the civil rights movement. Serving as president of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), he risked his life to bring about positive change. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.
Rep. Mia Love was elected to Congress in 2014. Prior to taking office, Rep. Love served two terms on the city council of Saratoga Springs. As City Councilwoman and eventually Mayor, she led the city through a period of 1700% population growth in a decade. Rep. Love is best known for her conservative positions on limited government, increased citizen liberties and limited restraints on business. Rep. Love serves on the Financial Services committee.
REP.GREGORYW.MEEKS
REP. GWEN S. MOORE
REP. DONALD M. PAYNE
REP. STACEY PLASKETT
Rep. Meeks is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and former chairman of the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade. In addition, he serves as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia. He also serves on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Rep. Meeks earned his bachelor’s degree at Adelphi University and his law degree is from Howard University. He is a member of the Allen AME Church in St. Albans NY and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Rep. Gwen Moore was elected in 2004, making her the first African American elected to Congress from Wisconsin. She serves on the House Committee on Financial Services, where she is Ranking Member on the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee and serves on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee; and the House Budget Committee. She is a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, a former Regional Whip for the Democratic Caucus, and former co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus. Prior to Congress, she served in the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly.
Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. is a Democratic congressman from New Jersey. He serves as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, and is a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Congressman Payne, Jr. fights to strengthen the economy and infrastructure, protect health care, and enhance America’s safety. Even in a divided Congress, Congressman Payne, Jr. achieves legislative successes, authoring nine bills that passed the U.S. House of Representatives and two bills, including the DHS Interoperable Communications Act, that were signed into Public Law.
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett is the Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the United States Virgin Island. She is an attorney who has practiced law in New York, Washington DC and the US Virgin Islands. Congresswoman Plaskett is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Rep. Plaskett has embarked on legislative initiatives aimed at improving the economy in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is an advocate for our servicemen and women and just recently introduced legislation that will help returning veterans secure employment.
15
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
REP. A. DONALD MCEACHIN Rep. A. Donald McEachin is a progressive champion focused on environmental protection, promoting equality, curbing gun violence, and advocating for military personnel. McEachin is co-president of the Freshman class, Regional Whip and contributes to the Leader’s Environmental Messaging Team. In addition to the Franking Commission, he serves on the House Committees of Armed Services and Natural Resources. A graduate of American University, UVA School of Law and Virginia Union University's Samuel Proctor Theological Seminary, McEachin previously served as a legislator in the House and Senate of Virginia’s General Assembly.
REP. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND Congressman Cedric Richmond was elected to Congress on November 2, 2010. Rep. Richmond is the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and currently serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on the Judiciary. Born and raised in New Orleans, Cedric is a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, and his Juris Doctorate from the Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans.
CBC MEMBERS OF THE 115TH CONGRESS
REP. BOBBY L. RUSH
REP. DAVID SCOTT
REP. ROBERT C. SCOTT
REP. TERRI A. SEWELL
Rep. Bobby L. Rush was elected to congress in 1992. From his very first year in office, Rep. Rush focused on issues of importance to low- and middle-income families and communities. In 1993, as a freshman in the 103rd Congress, Rush introduced bills on issues as diverse as Conflict Resolution and Mediation to Public Pensions and Community Development. Rush’s track record of leadership on energy issues and his support for small business while serving as an alderman in the Chicago City Council paved the way for him to gain a seat on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee in his second term. Today, Rush continues to carve an effective course of sound legislative leadership that protects consumers, supports our military personnel, creates jobs, expands businesses, and promotes America’s national energy policy.
Rep. David Scott has been in office since 2003. He is a member of the House Financial Services and Agriculture committees. He also is a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly for which he is vice chair of the Science and Technology Committee and a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition. Before entering Congress, Rep. Scott served 20 years in the Georgia State General Assembly.
Rep. Robert C. Scott was elected to Congress in 1992. Congressman Scott currently serves as the Ranking Member on the Education and the Workforce Committee. As the most senior Democrat on the Committee, he is leading the fight for access to quality early, secondary and higher education for all of America’s children. Additionally, he is working to ensure that American workers are treated fairly, paid a decent wage, given a safe working environment and provided access to affordable health care. Congressman Scott is also recognized as a leader on criminal justice reform.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell is serving her fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is the first black woman to serve in the Alabama Congressional delegation. Congresswoman Sewell sits on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and is Ranking Member on the Department of Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture Subcommittee. The Congresswoman serves as a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). She is a graduate of Princeton University, Oxford University, and Harvard Law School.
REP. BENNIE G. THOMPSON Rep. Bennie G. Thompson was elected to Congress in 1993. He is the first Democratic chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and is currently the committee’s Ranking Member. Rep. Thompson previously served as alderman and mayor in Bolton and as the Hinds County Supervisor before his election to Congress.
REP.MARC VEASEY
REP. MAXINE WATERS
REP. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN
REP. FREDERICA S. WILSON
Rep. Marc Veasey is serving his third term in Congress. He serves on the House Armed Services, Science, Space, and Technology Committees, and as a Deputy Whip for Region Six. Veasey is committed to creating jobs, improving public education, promoting immigration reform, ensuring access to affordable quality healthcare, and voting rights for all Americans. In 2016, Veasey launched the first Congressional Voting Rights Caucus and co-launched the Blue Collar Caucus. In 2017, Veasey was named Co-Chair of the CBC Foreign Affairs and National Security Task Force.
Throughout her nearly 40 years of public service, Congresswoman Maxine Waters has been at the forefront of effective policy-making. As Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, Congresswoman Waters has led the fight to protect the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. As a key member of the Conference Committee, Congresswoman Waters ensured the inclusion of strong consumer protections against predatory practices within the Financial Services industry. Congresswoman Waters has also championed legislation to protect homeowners and even worked in a bipartisan manner to pass the National Flood Insurance Program and reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman was elected to Congress in 2014. Prior to joining Congress, Rep. Coleman served eight consecutive terms in the New Jersey General Assembly. The daughter of legendary state legislator John S. Watson, Watson Coleman has continued a family legacy of public service fighting for women, economic and socially disadvantaged populations, and other vulnerable groups in our society. Watson Coleman shattered racial and gender barriers to become the first African-American woman to serve as Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly, and the first African-American woman to serve as the Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. Her election to the House of Reps makes her the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress.
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011. She serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Wilson has devoted her career to breaking down barriers for boys and men of color. Nearly 25 ago, she founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a drop-out prevention and mentoring program that has provided millions of dollars in scholarships for participants and other post-secondary opportunities. Rep. Wilson also is the founder of the Congressional Black Caucus’ My Brother’s Keeper Task Force, which identifies policies that narrow the opportunity gap for this population.
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
16
T:9.5”
Thank you for helping us drive America forward. Kia is proud to support the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 47th Annual Legislative Conference.
T:12.375”
kia.com
2017 Cadenza Limited shown with optional features. Some features may vary.
17
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
CEDRIC RICHMOND: NEW CBC CHAIR PASSIONATE ABOUT JUSTICE Louisiana Rep Says Economics, Equality, Education among Top Priorities
By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor The changing of the guard in Washington, D.C. including the White House, continues as the Congressional Black Caucus [CBC] has welcomed new leadership with Representative Cedric Richmond (LA-02) taking over as the chairman for the 115th Congress effective Jan. 3. Richmond has wasted little time challenging examples of injustice, recently taking on Rep. Steve King, an alt-right Republican from Iowa known for taking on crime only within the context of minority communities who during a public forum compared people in New Orleans, Richmond’s hometown, to Guatemala.
“I wear the badge of bipartisanship because I take up and stand up for principles,” Richmond said during the heated exchange. “I love and respect the people of New Orleans, I live in New Orleans and I am not going to sit here and allow you to use inappropriate, insensitive things about our city and our citizens. This is nothing more than white privilege criticizing a Black city.” King maintains his support of many white supremacists and lauds his notion of the “superior civilization.” Richmond has also gone after Trump and the NRA asserting that Philando Castile [the Black Minnesota motorist who lost his life at the hands of a police officer following a “routine stop”] was never a threat to police officers
and should not have been shot and killed. And he’s pledged to stand with House Democrats to ensure that “Dreamers” have the protections they deserve. Other members of the CBC say they’re behind him and encouraged by his leadership style. “We have much work ahead of us during the 115th Congress and I am confident Rep. Richmond will provide strong leadership on the issues we champion to ensure all Americans have an equal and equitable opportunity to achieve the American Dream,” said the former CBC chairman G.K. Butterfield. Others chosen in the elections include: André Carson (IN-07), 1st vice chair; Karen Bass (CA37), 2nd vice chair; Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), secretary; and
Gwen Moore (WI-04), whip. Richmond, 43, born and raised in New Orleans, currently serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on the Judiciary. A staunch believer in the value of mentorship, he earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and his Juris Doctorate from the Tulane University Law School in New Orleans. He’s also a graduate of the Harvard University Executive Education Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He said in his role as the new chairman, the Caucus will continue to do what it’s done since its inception (1971). “We will carry the mantle and arms for the African-American community, for people of color, in terms of fighting for equality and against discrimination wherever it’s found,” Richmond said. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had a Republican-dominated House and Senate and a Republican in the White House all at the same time,” he added. “But it is the first time we’ve had such an unconventional president like Donald Trump. But that’s not something that causes us great concern. “We realize that many who supported the President don’t hold equality and anti-discrimination among their priorities. Still, we’re going to keep on fighting for economic equality and for upward mobility for working people. Our biggest and most important task is to improve the landscape so people are able to make their lives better.” Richmond pointed to the state of Black America using his hometown of New Orleans for illustrative purposes. “We applaud the fact that under the Obama Administration, 14.5 million jobs have been created but we still need to maintain our focus,” he said. “In New Orleans, the African-American male unemployment rate is 50 percent. That’s 50 percent versus the U.S. unemployment rate of 5 percent. Those differences are more than enough for us to be gravely concerned and a problem we simply cannot ignore.” When asked about the morale of the CBC in light of the “surprising” defeat of Democrat-
"...I AM CONFIDENT REP. RICHMOND WILL PROVIDE STRONG LEADERSHIP ON THE ISSUES WE CHAMPION TO ENSURE ALL AMERICANS HAVE AN EQUAL AND EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM.” REP. G.K. BUTTERFIELD ic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, Richmond said, “We’re resolved to fight for what’s important.” “It’s never been easy for the CBC – and that’s whether the president has been Black, white, Democrat or Republican,” he said. “We take our jobs seriously – now more than ever we must be unified, determined and unwilling and unable to be swayed.” “For lack of a better description, an unconventional, borderline bully has won the presidency. Now other bullies seem to feel like it’s okay to follow suit. Our country has become more intolerant – we’re determined to fight against that and them.”
“We have had some outstanding leaders representing the CBC during my time in Congress,” he said. “Butterfield, Cleaver, Fudge all had different leadership styles. Mine isn’t like any of theirs. Still, I’m going to make sure we continue the fight that our previous chairpersons have started and led. We’re going to take advantage of the progress they’ve made.” WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
18
IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN ESSA TO SAVE BLACK CHILDREN It’s Time for Black Parents to Stand Up for the Future of their Children
By Lynette Monroe (NNPA ESSA Program Assistant) Last week, late nights, family road trips, and endless leisure came to an abrupt halt as children across the country headed back to school. This year, however, there is something else that requires adjustment besides early mornings and evening homework assignments. This year, a revised national education law goes into effect: the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA is the reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) signed into law by Barack Obama in 2015. ESEA included landmark legislation such as the Adult Education Act (1966) and the Women’s Educational Equity Act (1974). ESEA has also included protections for those who suffer from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or disability. ESEA has been updated every five years since it was signed into law. The original intention of ESEA was to provide equal access to quality education, emphasize high standards and ac-
countability, authorize funds for professional development, design effective instructional materials, provide supplemental education programs, and promote parental involvement. Previous reauthorizations include the now infamous No Child Left Behind (NCLB), signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2001. ESSA replaces NCLB. Education has been hailed the “new civil rights issue.” However, as we know, all too well, a law alone will not save us. The unanimous decision in Brown v. the Board of Education occurred in 1954; it was not until 1988 that school integration reached an all-time high with 45 percent of Black students attending majority- White schools. In 2003, a study by Harvard's Civil Rights Project found that schools were more segregated in 2000 than in 1970 when busing for desegregation began. So we see, that laws alone will not fix decades of restricted access and rationed opportunity. During an interview at the University of California Berkley
on October 11, 1963, Malcolm X said that if the government, “really passed meaningful laws, it would not be necessary to pass any more laws. There are already enough laws on the law books to protect an American citizen. You only need additional laws when you are dealing with someone, who is not regarded as an American citizen.” The goal of the 2015 reauthorization of ESEA is equity, but so was that the goal in 1965. Laws are merely an opportunity to hold our leaders accountable. At the 1979 Amandla Festival in support of relief and humanitarian aid to Southern Africa, Dick Gregory, in his fifteen minute introduction of Bob Marley and the Wailers, stated: “We the decent people of this planet must stand up and say to the rest of them inhumane, cruel beast that we are not going to tolerate it no more. And then they’ll say, “what are you gon’ do about it?” If I don’t do nothing, but get out of my bed everyday and look myself in the face in the quietness of my living room and say, “I’m
not gon’ tolerate it no more, I’m not gon’ tolerate it no more, I’m not gon’ tolerate it no more” that alone, when enough people stand doing it, is enough to win.” So, let’s challenge ourselves this academic year to say, “we not gon’ tolerate it no more.” We are not going to tolerate inadequate resources, unqualified teachers, unresponsive school boards, and low academic standards. Let’s challenge our children to rise to the occasion. Let’s challenge ourselves to attend community meetings, to join the PTA, to check our children’s homework, and to make sure our children’s teachers know us by name. Learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act at nnpa. org/essa. Lynette Monroe is a master’s student at Howard University. Her research area is public policy and national
development. Ms. Monroe is the program assistant for the NNPA’s Every Student Succeeds Act Public Awareness Campaign. Follow Lynette Monroe on Twitter @_ monroedoctrine. WI
Lynette Monroe says that we must hold ourselves accountable for the academic success of our children.
Your child’s dreams are like stars: If he chooses them as his guides, he can reach his destiny.
BORN TO BE GREAT By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. Previously, courses teaching high-order thinking skills like critical thinking and problem solving were reserved for the economically advantaged and “gifted and talented.” The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that acquisition of those high-order thinking skills be the standard for every student but your involvement is needed to make those requirements realities.
Made possible by a grant from the
To learn more about ESSA and how you can get involved, visit www.nnpa.org/essa. © 2017 National Newspaper Publishers Association. All rights reserved
19
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES OFFERS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES DURING ALC Series Expands to include NUL in 2017
By Muriel Hairston-Cooper Is it harder being the student or the teacher? Do educators need to find new models that take into consideration the diverse cultural backgrounds of their students? What are the technology applications that will benefit students in the 21st century classroom? These are some of the questions that will be discussed during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Professional Development Series (PDS) for Educators presented on Sept. 20 during the 47th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) at the Washington Convention Center. “I want to give educators different vantage points in how they
view their students and strategies to be better, ” said Christopher Emdin Ph.D, author of “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood…and the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education.” Dr. Emdin will serve as the keynote speaker at the PDS for Educators, which is sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Delta Research Educational Foundation (DREF). “I want them to feel like every day is the first day of school when you are wearing your new clothes. I want educators to walk away feeling reinvigorated, empowered and inspired about why they do the work,” he said. CBCF began the pilot PDS for Educators in 2015 in response
to attendees’ desire to acquire specific-industry training while attending the ALC. This “conference within a conference” focused exclusively on issues that impacted educators K-12. The pilot has sense grown into a franchise, targeting African Americans in specific industries. The National Medical Association (NMA) became a PDS partner in 2016, offering a daylong session of continuing medical education certification. NMA is returning this year, along with newcomer the National Urban League (NUL), which will focus their PDS on civic engagement and advocacy. The National Bar Association’s Small Firms and Solo Practitioners will certify the con-
"WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, AND IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES WILL EMPOWER AND INFORM EDUCATORS. IF WE WANT TO BE THE BEST, WE MUST ALWAYS BE LEARNING AND GROWING." LORRETTA JOHNSON AFT SECRETARY-TREASURER tinuing legal education content credits for NUL attendees. “CBCF recognizes that we are in an era of professional development”, said A. Shuanise Washington, president and CEO for the CBCF. “As a convener of critical information for the African-American community, the PDS offers an intensive, collaborative experience. Attendees receive industry certification while being exposed and becoming a participant in crucial public policy conversations.” “The century old success of the National Urban League is largely based in partnerships," said Don Cravins, Jr. NUL’s Senior Vice President for Policy and Executive Director of the Washington Bureau. "That is why we are so excited about our newest partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Through policy and advocacy workshops and a distinguished panel on the State of Black America, participants can expect an impactful day,” he said. ALC has long been acknowledged as one of the most important policy gatherings of African-American leaders in the nation. During ALC, attendees have an opportunity to interface with industry executives, community leaders, lawmakers and celebrities who are
actively engaged on issues affecting diverse communities. “By participating in the PDS series, attendees will enter these policy discussions with new skills that can put them in a position of influence as some of these policy conversations can directly or indirectly affect areas of potential growth in their perspective industries,” said Washington. "We are grateful for our partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, and it is our hope that this professional development series will empower and inform educators. If we want to be the best, we must always be learning and growing," said AFT Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson. "The NMA is pleased to partner with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. for the second consecutive year. This opportunity allows the NMA to join together with concerned partners to build a healthier nation and African-American community. The urgency is now for creating a culture of change in healthcare through coalition building," added Doris Browne, MD, the 118th NMA president. WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
20
Congratulations
MILESTONE ACHIEVED & HISTORY MADE New York Life’s African American Market Agents
$50.5 billion of life insurance face amount is now in-force by the African American Market Agents for the African American Community With an unprecedented movement to build wealth, close the racial wealth gap, and change the financial future of Black America
$50.5 billion of life insurance face amount is now in-force by the 1,200+ African American Market Agents, driven by their focused $50 Billion Empowerment Plan efforts over the last 6 ½ years (January 1, 2011 - July 14, 2017). These agents of change focused on increasing financial literacy, and leveraging financial tool and strategies often underleveraged and underutilized by African Americans across the country. Over 340,000 African Americans now have policies in-force, totaling over $50.5 billion of protection and future income.
This achievement is made in the 60th anniversary of Cirilo McSween becoming the first African American Agent to cross the color barrier, honoring his legacy.
Join the movement or Become an Agent Are you ready to become one of the families creating a brighter tomorrow? Meet with one of our agents to create your own personal financial empowerment plan? call (877) 695-4226, or e-mail NYL_AAM@newyorklife.com. Learn more about New York Life making a difference in the African American Community. Log on to www.newyorklife.com/africanamerican Learn more about New York Life’s mission-driven Agent career. Log on to www.newyorklife.com/africanamericancareers
21
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
SAVING OUR CIVIL RIGHTS IN A POST-OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
By Naomi Smith Research Policy Analyst, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
From the killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling to the end of a historic Obama Administration and the election of a new president, many would say 2016 was a tumultuous year for the black community in the United States. Many were unsure how the advancement of the black agenda would continue given the underwhelming turnout of black voters compared to 2008 and 2016. The 2016 presidential election received an underwhelming voter turnout among all voters. Declining from 62.1% of eligible voters participating in 2004, to 55% in 2016. This decrease was especially evident among black voters. After 20 years of a consistent rise in voter participation, black voter turnout dropped significantly from 66.6% in 2012 to 59.6% in 2016. This decline begs the question, “What caused black voter turnout to decrease?” Perhaps black voters did not feel
any of the candidates would advocate for priorities of the black agenda or maybe there was sense of hopelessness in the postObama era. In either case, it is important not give up the fight for our civil rights and to always hold our government accountable for the actions they take even when it may not appear positive, change coming. As 2016 ended and 2017 continues, it is evident black Americans need to use all platforms possible to advance the black agenda whether running for office themselves, engaging in community advancement in education or protesting for positive change. We are now connected more than ever through new technologies that connect us with people across the globe and can be used as a medium of digital social activism and mobilization around inequalities of the day and how to solve them. With this constant connectivity, there also lies the opportunity to share positive messages and affirmation to the black community. In an era when the president openly encourages police bru-
tality, advocates for the repeal of universal health care, it is important to speak truth to power and work together for guidance, support, and love to advance justice, equality, and security for black lives. Join us to brainstorm and mobilize around positive change for the black community at the National Town Hall at the Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Incorporated (CBCF). On Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the Walter E. Washington Center at 9:00
AM. The Town Hall will include elected officials, prominent activists and experts who will discuss concerns of the post-Obama effect in black community under the Trump administration, the role of black millennials in advancing the black agenda, what strategies and solutions do we make to ensure black voices and interests are addressed? As we end the first year of a new presidential administration and the 115th Congress, the fight civil rights contuse and is embodied by this year’s ALC theme, “And Still I Rise”. At-
tracting nearly 10,000 students, professionals and activists from around the nation, ALC brings the brightest and most passionate to Washington, D.C. creating a community where black people can comfortably and confidently work to advance the black agenda. Accommodating all 49 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), ALC is the prime opportunity to collaborate with those on Capitol Hill and on the ground to find the best ways to ensure the safety, productivity, and success of the black community. WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
22
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MURIEL BOWSER, MAYOR
Path to Statehood P Washington, DC GET TO KNOW DC C
Washington, DC is home to nearly 700,000 people, including 30,000 veterans.
M
Y
DC residents pay more federal taxes per person than all 50 states, yet we have zero voting representation in Congress.
CM
MY
CY
CMY
DC has passed 22 balanced budgets in a row, funded mostly by locally raised revenues. However, due to our lack of statehood, Congress regularly interferes with how we spend our locally raised dollars.
K
Congress has the final approval of all laws passed by our locally elected Mayor and City Council. They have the power to block any laws they they don’t like.
PATH TO STATEHOOD Last November, 86% of DC voters cast a ballot to support Statehood for Washington, DC. They recognized that it is time to put an end to the oldest, ongoing civil rights violation in the United States. DC is following the Tennessee Plan to statehood. We have completed many of the steps already. Residents Affirmed Desire to Become A State Developed a State Constitution Established State Boundaries Committed to a Representative Government Voters Approved Tennessee Plan Need Majority Vote in US House of Representatives Need Majority Vote in US Senate Need Signature of the President of the US
23
WE NEED YOUR HELP According to a recent poll, nearly 80% of Americans are unaware of DC’s lack of access to full democracy. But Washingtonians are well connected and have roots in many places, so we need you to tap into your network to help spread the word. Join our Friends and Family Campaign. You can support our effort locally and across the country. We call on all Americans to write, email, tweet, or call their Members of Congress and highlight a lack of democracy and full representation for residents of Washington, DC.
GET INVOLVED TODAY! Visit statehood.dc.gov and register your support for DC Statehood. Sign up as a Friends and Family Campaign Ambassador. We will provide you with information and tools to aid your efforts to promote and educate fellow residents and members of Congress about DC Statehood. Join or create a local or national group that supports statehood today! Use #DCStatehood on social media to share your support of DC statehood. Follow @DCStatehood51 for more information
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
WHAT MEDICAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE INCARCERATED? By Kwamme A. Anderson, Ph.D., MPA Vice President, Programs
U.S. Massachusetts Senator Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy coined the infamous words, “healthcare is a right, not a privilege.” This truth holds true for the non-incarcerated. Yet, for those imprisoned, this may not always be the case. Within the U.S., according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), in 2016, there were a total of 2.2 million adults and incarcerated in both federal and state prisons. As reported by the Prison Policy Initiative, the breakdown is as follows: state prisons – 1.33 million; federal prisons – 1.97 million; local jails – 630,000 juveniles – 34,000; territorial prisons – 13,000; and immigration detention centers – 41,000. The American Journal of Public Health in their 2009 article reported that the pris-
on population has high rates of chronic medical conditions. With a population that is ever growing in addition to being chronically ill, what, if any, medical services are provided for this subpopulation? Are they eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act? According to Healthcare.gov, the incarcerated are ineligible to purchase private health insurance through the Marketplace. However, post release, they immediately qualify for coverage. So then, what is available to this population? Surprisingly, outside medical care for inmates is permissible in some states wherein correctional facilities will allow doctors to visit their patients when medical attention is warranted. For day-to-day-interaction, sick prisoners have the option to let the on-duty guard know they are not feeling well. The next step is to place the prisoners’ name on the list to see the in-house physician. The time frame for appointments
can be as early as the next day. However, for emergencies, there is usually a nurse on-staff around the clock 24-hours. For those cases where inmates need acute medical care, they are transported to the nearest hospital where they are treated. There is in some cases, a cost associated with treatment. Copays for inmates are affordable at a usual rate of $5. This fee is taken from his or her wage earnings from work within the prison. Again, this amount varies by state and if costs are above that $ co-pay, the state will cover the remaining balance. Although medical care is minimal, the quality is contingent upon each facility. Even when sick, prisoners are required to remain in shackles while being attended to by medical personnel. In some states, women are chained while giving birth; resulting in exposing women to inhumane and unreasonable risks which leads
Health & Wellness WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 BALLROOM B | 12:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
African American Participation in Clinical Trials: Challenging the Gold Standard In response to African American’s low participation in clinical trials, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) will host a Health and Wellness Luncheon during the 47th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The purpose of the discussion will be to explore ways investigators can establish pretrial preparation to obtain maximum African American participation in compliance with the NIH Revitalization Act. Our featured guest moderator will be, Delegate Donna M. Christensen, M.D., and our keynote speaker is David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Register at CBCFINC.ORG/ALC17 | #CBCFALC17
Kwamme A. Anderson
to endangering the life of both mother and child. On a federal level, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement restrict pregnant women from being chained. While prisoners in this country are not denied mental and medical care, they are not pro-
vided with the access to the best services available. This is violation of their Constitutional Right that their medical needs be treated adequately. Violation of the rights of inmates may result in sicker prisoners behind bars who will one day return to communities with poorer health outcomes. WI
CBCF BY THE NUMBERS
150
More than 150 Individuals have served as Congressional Fellows since 1976
250
CBCF awards more than 250 public service, public health, education, and arts scholarships each year
60
60 students have participated in CBCF’s Emerging Leaders: US-China Study Abroad Delegation since 2014
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
24
ENERGIZED TO MAKE
A DIFFERENCE. We are proud to support the longstanding efforts and successes of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and all who empower the communities we serve through partnership.
25
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
THE INVISIBLE PLIGHT OF BLACK IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA By Celine Batels-Mills Policy and Research Intern
From State Rep. Ilhan Omar—a former refugee who became the first Somali-American legislator in the United States—to the first black president whose father was Kenyan, black immigrants play a crucial role in shaping the black narrative in America. However, their unique experiences and contributions, as well as the problems they face, are often overlooked by the black community and the broader American society. Black immigrants account for only 7 percent of the total immigrant population, yet they make up 10.6 percent of immigrants in removal proceedings from 2003 to 2015. Mass criminalization, deportation, detention, and socioeconomic strife are the biggest issues facing black immigrants. As we grapple with the reali-
ty of a post-Obama era, African and Caribbean-born immigrants are unfortunately suffering from harsh immigration policies such as President Trump’s executive order, which temporarily banned the citizens of seven Muslim majority countries from entering the U.S.—three of these being the African countries of Sudan, Somalia, and Libya. While Trump’s effort to enforce this order has faced several roadblocks, the war on immigrants continues—especially with the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobic rhetoric in our nation. More than ever, our current political climate puts black immigrant communities at an even higher risk for legal and socio-economic injustices. Black immigrants are disproportionately affected and/or targeted by immigration laws — this coupled with the anti-blackness and discrimination already ingrained in American institutions leads to higher rates of deportation, incarceration, and detention. Racial
profiling is a key factor in the mass criminalization of black immigrants—which also explains why 58 percent of deported immigrants have a criminal record. According to the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) report on the state of black immigrants, black immigrants account for only 7.2 percent of the noncitizen immigrant population, yet 20.3 percent of those facing detention on criminal grounds are black. Many are subjected to domestic policies such as ‘Stop and Frisk’, which can lead to unlawful detention and other compounding issues, such as the separation of fathers and mothers from their children, a subsequent lack of resources due to loss of income, and a lack of proper legal representation. U.S.-born and foreign-born black populations experience higher rates of unemployment and poverty compared to U.S.born whites. Often concentrated
in the poorer neighborhoods of urban cities like New York City, black immigrants—especially those who are undocumented— must deal with low wages and a lack of worker’s rights. Working illegally or under-the-table can also be dangerous because there is no accountability on the part of the employer who may choose to exploit immigrant workers, and force them to work in deplorable conditions. Moreover, communication barriers and lack of access to healthcare and transportation are among the most prominent challenges facing black immigrants. However, local and national organizations such as the UndocuBlack Network are working
diligently to fight for the rights of black immigrants by providing legal services and other resources for families facing detention, deportation, and other issues. These types of networks have already laid the groundwork to formulate more expansive approaches to these problems. We must not forget that black immigrants are an integral part of the black American narrative. Whether it is here in America or another part of the world, it is important that we build a black collective amongst different black communities in order to promote awareness of each other’s struggles, as well as take proactive steps to empower and protect each other. WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
26
Art PPI Print_bleeds.pdf
1
9/5/17
8:27 AM
OIL TAPS POTENTIAL C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Today the natural gas and oil industry supports millions of American jobs that account for 7.6 percent of the U.S economy. Many of these well-paying jobs, which are all along the skills continuum, require a background in one or more of the STEM disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. And by 2035, the industry could have nearly 1.9 million job openings, including an estimated 707,000 job opportunities to be filled by African Americans and Hispanics and more than 290,000 to be filled by women. As an industry, we are working to inspire the next generation of leaders and professionals, paying particular attention to young women and minority students who are currently underrepresented in STEM subjects.
27
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
AMERICA ON DRUGS: THE OPIOID CRISIS By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Since the early 20th century, the topic of race and addiction has been a part of the public health conversation and, as the 20th century gave way to the 21st, how people bought and sold drugs changed, and how people understood race and demographics also changed. What has not changed, according to americanaddictioncenters. org, is the danger of drugs. Even as more information surfaces about the deadly influence of drugs across different sections of society, there’s a constant reminder that drugs, and the market behind them, do not discriminate. Yet, the opioid crisis engulfing the nation has focused predominately on white users from suburbia and middle-class America. Painkillers like oxycontin and Percocet have been the primary culprits along with the very deadly fentanyl. But, the precursor to those has been heroin, which has made a terrifying comeback. “While heroin use has climbed among all demographic groups, it has skyrocketed among whites; nearly 90 percent of those who tried heroin for the first time in the last decade were white,” said Glenn Ellis, a health advocacy communications specialist. “But the epidemic has also been seeping into communities of color, where heroin overdose death rates have more than doubled among African Americans, but gone largely overlooked by the media,” Ellis noted in an editorial. The heroin epidemic in the African-American community is distinct for another reason in that they’re less likely to come to the drug through opioids. Many studies have shown that doctors are less likely to prescribe opioid painkillers to Blacks than whites, even young children, for the same ailments. However, heroin has claimed the lives of African Americans long before pain pills. Prominent African Americans like the legendary Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker, whose death led to headlines like, “Charlie Parker’s Heroin Addiction Made him a Genius,” have succumbed to heroin and drug abuse. Also, the deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Prince all included
elements of abusing prescription pain medication. “I don’t hear it get talked about and many people are suspicious about that explanation for Prince’s death. Furthermore, there remains so much stigma and ignorance around the disease of addiction,” said Dr. Nina T. Harawa, associate professor of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The recent crisis has most dramatically affected white communities and stemmed from interactions with medical systems. For economic and policy reasons, it has often been centered in white working-class communities, Harawa said. The face of this crisis in the news, promoted by government institutions and promoted through media outlets has often been white, she said. “The infamous articles dis-
cussing unprecedented increases in death and declines in life expectancy associated with the opioid epidemic focused on whites not Blacks,” Harawa said. Fortunately, the opioid epidemic hasn’t hit African-American communities at the same alarming rates at whites, but that does not mean it can’t or isn’t harming Blacks, she said. In the last 16 years, more than 183,000 Americans have died from overdoses related to prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fatal overdoses involving socalled “natural,” “semi-synthetic,” and “synthetic” opioids (morphine, oxycodone, methadone) all fell between 2010 and 2015, but the percentage of fatal overdoses involving heroin tripled. More specifically, in 2010, 29 percent of fatal overdoses involved so-called “natural” and “semisynthetic” opioids, while
only about 12 percent involved methadone, a “synthetic” opioid. Five years later, the percentage of fatal overdoses involving these drugs fell to 24 percent and 6 percent, respectively. In contrast, fatal overdoses involving heroin reportedly skyrocketed from 8 percent in 2010 to 25 percent in 2015 – essentially tripling. In 2015, 27,056 white people died of overdose, compared to a combined 5,248 deaths for Blacks and Hispanics. There were more than five times as many opioid deaths for whites in 2015 than for all other races combined. Various states have and continue to map out plans to attack the crisis. For instance, in Maryland, the state announced a plan to spend more than $22 million to fight the epidemic, with 80 percent going to 24 local jurisdictions and service providers to fund prevention, enforcement, and
“THE OPIOID ADDICTION AMONG WHITES IS GIVEN A LEGITIMACY THAT HEROIN ADDICTION AMONG BLACKS NEVER HAD.” NAOMI ZACK PROFESSOR UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
treatment efforts. In Ohio, overdose deaths reportedly have been on the rise particularly in Cuyahoga County, which includes predominately Black Cleveland. Fentanyl-related deaths among African Americans there rose almost 900 percent between 2014 and 2016. “We have to find a way to get some control over the sales of fentanyl and find out where it’s coming from,” said U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio. The number of individuals who admit having used an illicit drug rose from 31.3 percent in 1979 to 48.8 percent in 2015 and the 469,545 incarcerated for drug offenses in 2015 proved 11 times more than in 1980. Moreover, U.S. taxpayers spent about $327 billion on drug control efforts from 2013 to 2016, according to WalletHub, the District-based personal finance website. Complicating matters, the current Trump administration has sent mixed messages about how seriously it takes the problem, WalletHub analysis said. On the one hand, President Trump established a commission to study the opioid epidemic. On the other, the administration has proposed cutting the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s budget by 95 percent and classifying addiction as a preexisting condition. “The opioid addiction among whites is given a legitimacy that heroin addiction among Blacks never had,” said Naomi Zack, a professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Oregon. “I think that African Americans already know a lot about street drugs and what to avoid. They use doctors less frequently than whites and studies show they are, for discriminatory reasons, under-medicated for pain. This could be a blessing in disguise,” Zack said. In the present political climate, the best approach would be to combine efforts among different racial communities as much as possible, to lessen opioid addiction, she said. “This is difficult to do in primarily white rural areas, but it may be more possible in cities. Indeed, in some urban areas, opioid issues as medically addressed and as subjects for public health practitioners are already well-integrated,” Zack said. WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
28
Launching November 1, 2017 We are all broken people. We unite under a mission and vision that recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We can change the world by transforming a system that disaffects pretrial defendants to one that seeks to build hope and restore people.
EMPOWERLAUNCH.COM 540-569-9200
EMPOWER BY NEXUS will end pretrial detention based on an inability to pay money bail. EMPOWER BY NEXUS is a solution designed to protect liberty, provide counsel, and reform our system of over incarceration. EMPOWER BY NEXUS will empower ex-offenders is it is always more to effective to empower, rather than disenfranchise, those who need help. EMPOWER BY NEXUS is the future of pretrial release in the United States. 29
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
SCENES FROM 2016 Photos courtesy of The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
CELEBRATION OF LEADERSHIP
(Above) Chadwick Boseman receives an award from the CBCF at the Annual Celebration of Leadership. (Top Right) Dionne Warwick smiles at the audience as they applaud her many achievements throughout the years. (Below) Cicely Tyson and Richard Roundtree greet each other at the pre-reception.
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
30
PRAYER BREAKFAST
(Left) Congresswoman Karen Bass introduces a CBCF alum at the Prayer Breakfast. (Center Left) Congresswoman Maxine Waters catches up with the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
SOJOURNER TRUTH TOWNHALL
(Below) Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives, joins the CBC for an in-depth conversation about the state of Black women.
EXHIBIT HALL
(Opposite Page Bottom Right) A. Shuanise Washington, CBCF president and CEO, cuts the ribbon for the Exhibit Hall grand opening. (Opposite Page Bottom Left) A crowd forms as people anxiously wait to gain entrance into the exhibit hall and explore the 100+ vendors. (Right) The casts of "Power" and "Survivor's Remorse" come together onstage for a candid conversation about their respective shows.
31
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
NATION PONDERS FUTURE OF WHITE SUPREMACIST SYMBOLS
Has the ‘Darker’ Side of U.S. History Become Fuel for Violence? By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor When white supremacists emerged from the shadows for a public display of their beliefs in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12 under the guise of protecting the statue of a Confederate hero, General Robert E. Lee, they could not have imagined how other Americans would respond. But after the protest suddenly became violent with one person killed and 19 others wounded, Americans found themselves in a tug-of-war over the future of these statues – viewed by some as symbols of hate and reminders of pain and by others as markers of historic proportion. Ironically, while Southerners, following their defeat in the Civil War, chose to erect monuments honoring leading proponents of the Confederacy, Lee himself advised against it. “I think it wiser . . . not to keep open the sores of war but to follow the examples of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife, to commit to oblivion the feelings engendered,” Lee wrote in 1869 while weighing-in on proposals for memorials at Gettysburg. Even progeny of Lee (his greatgreat grandson and great-greatgreat granddaughter), according to author Eric Foner whose book “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery” won a Pulitzer Prize for history, have said in a written statement that “he [Lee] never would have tolerated the hateful words and violent actions of white supremacists, the KKK or New-Nazis.” “If you’re going to keep Robert E. Lee, let’s have a statue of Nat Turner, the slave rebel, or maybe of John Langston, the first Black congressman from Virginia in the 1880s,” Foner writes. “But they don’t put up statues of those guys because the statues are meant to symbolize white supremacy and putting up a statue of a Black doesn’t fit.” Meanwhile, Democrats have attempted to use President Donald Trump’s largely unpopular response to the violence in Charlottesville to their advantage – issuing messages, supporting legislative actions and seeking public support as they work toward gaining back seats
in the Senate, House and other seats from the governor to school boards in the critical 2018 midterm elections. New Jersey Senator Cory A. Booker has turned his attention on legislation that would remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. And some Democrats in the House have demanded a formal censure of the president who said soon after the disturbance in Charlottesville that there were “some fine people on both sides.” One Black Republican strategist, Joseph Pinion III, who lives in New York and serves as the chair of the Conservative Color
coalition, said he wants to see Confederate symbols removed as well as Trump’s election commission being disbanded. He also issued Democrats a warning. “They [Democrats] need to look at why they lost the 2016 presidential election and not get caught up in fighting ‘cosmetic’ racism and symbols,” he said during a recent appearance on CNN. Trump disagrees with taking down statues or renaming highways and roadways. “We can’t change history but we can learn from it. Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson – who’s next? Washington? Jefferson? So
foolish!” he said in an Aug. 17th tweet and then again during a recent press conference at Trump Tower in New York City. Reportedly, several members of the Congressional Black Caucus [CBC], like Booker, have reinitiated requests to remove Confederate statues from the Capitol. But no one from the CBC, according to a spokesperson for the organization, has come forward with resolutions or letters addressing the removal of the divisive symbols. However, CBC leaders have been vocal. “We will never solve America’s race problem if we continue to honor traitors who
fought against the U.S. in order to keep African Americans in chains. By the way, thank God, they lost,” CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) told ABC News. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the only AfricanAmerican member of the Mississippi delegation, has demanded that his state’s flag not be displayed because of its inclusion of the Confederate battle flag. Across the U.S., statues have been removed from their former places of prominence but where they’ll end up continues to be debated. Suggestions range from museums and private facilities to trash heaps and landfills. Cities where efforts to remove statues have been successful include: Durham, N.C., Gainesville, Daytona Beach and St. Petersburg, Fla., San Diego, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, N.Y., Madison, Wis., and Annapolis and Baltimore, Md. Only states have the power to replace statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection located in the Capitol. Two New York Democrats, Reps. Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, gave their support last month to several non-CBC lawmakers in efforts to have the U.S. Army rename streets at Brooklyn’s Fort Hamilton that honored two Confederate generals. The Army, however, rejected their request. Meanwhile, Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) had better luck in the successful removal of a Confederate monument from his St. Louis district in Forest Park earlier this summer. Finally, in a statement, the former CBC chairman expressed sympathy for the pain people endure when confronted by terror, referring to the actions taken by protestors in Durham, N.C. who recently pulled down a Confederate statue without proper authorization. “I don't condone the destruction of government property but I understand the hurt and pain the continued existence of confederate monuments cause to many in our communities, whether it is on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, state capitals, or any other locations,” said Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
32
About the National Newspapers Publishers Association
“THE BLACK PRESS IN AMERICA IS MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER” NNPA is a trade association representing the Black Press with 209 African American-owned member newspapers in 33 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its inception, over three quarters of a century, the NNPA publishers have provided excellent reporting from the Black perspective.
#BlackPressMatters The NNPA Salutes the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the 47th Annual Legislative Conference
33
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE IS WISDOM By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is celebrating the 47th year of the Annual Legislative conference. The CBCF Annual Legislative Conference, as described on the website, is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. Thought leaders, legislators and concerned citizens engage on economic development, civil and social justice, public health and education issues. As a relatively new person to the District of Columbia from Massachusetts I had heard of the CBC conference for a long time. The reality did not match my experience. I have been impressed year after year about the coming together of those people from around the country and the world who come together to share information about the subject matters that are significant to Black people living in these United States. It has been amazing to me the breadth and the depth of those people who speak and participate in this monumental event. It was greater than I could have imagined. What has compelled me to
attend every year is the regular track on Business, Economic Development & Wealth Creation. So many times we talk about Economics as the tool of oppression. As Frederick Douglass said Power concedes nothing without a fight. As Black people we know that we cannot look for someone else to create opportunities for us. We must take the responsibility to create a legacy for our children’s children. The data shows that we as a people are consistently not taking the steps to provide for the next generation. We know that the institutional racism that exists is a force that is designed to make sure that the haves continue to have and the have nots can simply watch from afar and stay frustrated enough to fight against one another. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has given us 47 years of instruction and in this time where we are clear that there are no friends in the white house and #45 is working feverishly to erase any possible vestige of progress that President Barack Obama created we need to come together like no other time. We do not have the luxury of sitting back and waiting to see what will happen. We must work together and not
just hear about what we should do we need to take action. The conference tracks truly speak to the issues and concerns of the Black people in addition to the Wealth Creation other topics include Civil Rights, Judiciary & History that reflects upon where we have come from and the strategies to keep us vigilant in fighting for voting rights and civil rights with “Innocence Denied”. The civic engagement/community outreach track holds sessions that include “The Activist Athlete’ and “How to Stop the Bleeding: Rebuilding our Black Neighborhoods”. The African proverb states to go fast go alone. I f you want to go far go together. This is our truth. This is that which the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference embodies. Together we can shape our tomorrow. WI Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com 202-379-4738
Is proud to Partner with The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
34
Your guide to the millennial community in the District.
Available monthly on newsstands throughout the DMV or visit us on Facebook: WIBridge | Twitter: @InformerBridge | Instagram: washinformerbridge
35
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has acted as the “conscience of the Congress” since its inception in 1971, taking up causes on behalf of marginalized and vulnerable communities and advocating for equal rights along the lines of race, gender, religion and economic background. Now, it seems the caucus will add the transgender community to its roster of constituents in need of support, considering the scrutiny their rights have recently received on the national agenda. In August, President Donald Trump signed a directive to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security reinstating a long-time ban on transgender individuals from serving in the military, which had only been lifted last June. The action followed a series of July tweets in which Trump said the military “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption” of having transgender people in the military, and pledged to ban their service in the armed forces. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) called the ban “a prime example of discrimination continuing to make our country weaker.” Congressman John Lewis (DGA) called the policy change “mean” and “misguided.” “I have fought too long and hard to end discrimination based on race and color to allow discrimination based on gender identity to be considered acceptable,” Lewis said. “There is no place in our society for hate or bigotry. To punish any person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity is a shame and a disgrace, but to penalize those who pledge to serve and protect our country is unconscionable.” Members of the CBC expressed concern for the state of civil rights under the Trump administration early on in his presidency. They invited Gavin Grimm, a transgender youth and the lead plaintiff in an ACLU-spearheaded lawsuit against his Virginia school board for a bathroom policy that segregated transgender students from their peers, to speak in a forum regarding the protection of civil rights under the Trump Administration in the
BLACK LEADERS DEFEND TRANSGENDER RIGHTS
days leading to his 100th day of presidency. “This case will not be resolved until after I graduate, but this fight is bigger than me,” Gavin said. He said the case was about protecting the rights of transgender youth, current and future, and their families. In February, Trump overturned Obama-era protections that allowed transgender students to use the bathrooms of their gender identity – with youth like Gavin becoming entangled in the shift of policy. In 2015, a National Center for Transgender Equality conducted survey found that 77 percent of transgender respondents experienced some form of mistreatment such as verbal harassment, physical or sexual assault between kindergarten and grade 12 and that 40 percent attempted suicide in their lifetime. Nearly half of all respondents had been verbally assaulted for being transgender in the past year. The study also noted other
challenges transgender people face including economic disparities, where about 30 percent of transgender respondents lived in poverty compared to 14 percent of the general population; and a disproportionate rate of homelessness, unemployment and harassment.
“Trump defends white nationalists, demeans women, pals around with Russians and attacks people of color and the LGBT community. He is deplorable,” tweeted Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA). A string of events has fueled the transgender community’s
ongoing innocuous relationship with the Trump administration. In July, just hours after Trump announced his plan to reverse a year-old Obama-era policy which lifted the ban on transgender people from the military on Twitter, the U.S. Department of Justice argued in a private employment lawsuit that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ban on sex discrimination does not protect workers on the basis of their sexual orientation. That same day, Trump also announced that he would nominate a vocal opponent of gay rights, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, as the nation’s ambassador at-large for international religious freedom. A few weeks before that, the House rejected an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill which included a proposal to end a Pentagon policy implemented in October that provided gender-reassignment surgeries and other treatment for active-duty transgender service members if a doctor deemed the treatment medically necessary. “Everyone, including our transgender men and women who bravely serve our country in uniform, deserve our respect and support,” said Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA). “We cannot allow this kind of blatant bigotry to go unchecked in the land of the free and the home of the brave." Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who has put a freeze on the ban pending a study, has six months to submit a plan for its implementation. WI
CBCF FACTOID
CBCF invested $5 million in African American-owned banking institutions to stimulate the economy in black communities (the Industrial Bank in Washington, DC; Liberty Bank & Trust Company in New Orleans, Louisiana; Mechanics & Farmers Bank in Durham, North Carolina; Seaway Bank & Trust Company in Chicago, IL; and, City National Bank of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey).
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
36
37
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
CBCF VISION
CBCF MISSION
WE ENVISION A
OUR MISSION OF THE
ALL COMMUNITIES
BLACK CAUCUS
WORLD IN WHICH HAVE AN EQUAL
CONGRESSIONAL
FOUNDATION, INC.
VOICE IN PUBLIC
(CBCF) IS TO ADVANCE
LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY BY
POLICY THROUGH
THE GLOBAL BLACK
CULTIVATION,
DEVELOPING LEADERS,
EMPOWERMENT, AND
AND EDUCATING
ECONOMIC
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
INFORMING POLICY, THE PUBLIC.
CBCF IS ACHIEVING THIS MISSION BY: • Facilitating the exchange of ideas and information to address critical issues affecting our communities. • Providing leadership development and scholarship opportunities to educate the next generation of leaders. • Promoting public health and financial empowerment for all communities through innovative programs. • Developing strategic research and historical resources for the public, academics, educators, and students.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. 1720 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20036 Email: info@cbcfinc.org Phone: 202.263.2800
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
38
CBCF STAFF EXECUTIVE OFFICE A. Shuanise Washington President and CEO
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Tasha L. Cole Vice President, Resource Development
HUMAN RESOURCES Sharon Holloway Senior Director, Human Resources
Muriel Hairston-Cooper, M.S. Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations & Event Management
Donna Fisher-Lewis, M.P.A. Senior Development Manager
Erika Groover Senior Administrative Assistant
Adia C. Jordan Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations & External Management
Nadia Monroe Executive Assistant
Michael Cade Development Officer II
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Christopher “CJ” Epps Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Celeste Johnson Development Coordinator
Marc Banks Public Relations Specialist Carahna Magwood Graphic Design Specialist
39
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Netsereab Demissie, C.P.A., M.S. Senior Director, Finance & Administration Jason Perkins Office Services Coordinator
Brenda White-Tucker Receptionist INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Larry Clark Network Administrator EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Averyl Bailey Director, Executive Communications and Events
PROGRAMS Kwamme Anderson, Ph.D. Vice President, Programs Katrina Finch, M.A. Program Administrator – Scholarships Deidre Ellis, M.A. Program Coordinator Spouses & Study Abroad
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
Melissa Wood Program Coordinator – Interns and Fellowships Tamika Wims Administrative Assistant CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS & RESEARCH Menna Demessie, Ph.D. Vice President, Policy Analysis and Research Maurice O. Starks Administrative Assistant Quentin Stubbs, Ph.D. Senior Policy Research Analyst Naomi Smith Research Policy Analyst
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / 47TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SPECIAL ISSUE / SEPTEMBER 2017 / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
40