By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) culminated in an influential Phoenix Awards gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown D.C. This year’s theme, “From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices,” was not just a celebration of Black culture and heritage but also a call to action to defend and expand fundamental freedoms in an increasingly challenging political climate.
The Phoenix Awards, always a highlight of the conference, honored individuals who have made significant contributions to the progress of Black Americans. President Joe Biden received the Congressional Black Caucus Lifetime Achievement Award. “With the CBC, we went big, and we went bold, and we are better off today than we were four years ago,” Biden said. He stressed the importance of continued vigilance to ensure a future where freedom, justice, and equality prevail.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore was awarded the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference Honorary Co-Chairs’ Award. “I am standing before you as probably the most improbable governor in America… It’s an exciting time for our country, and I’m so grateful to be your partner in the work,” Moore affirmed. Other honorees included the late Sheila Jackson-Lee, former U.S. representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district; the 14th Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden; and Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison. An in memoriam was displayed on the large screen above the stage and featured influential African Americans who died this year, like singer Frankie Beverly, actor James Earl Jones, hip-hop’s Fatman Scoop and Rich Homie Quan, actress Erica Ash, Rev. James Lawson, baseball superstar Willie Mays.
Throughout the week, the ALC tackled pressing issues impacting the Black community. Representative Hank Johnson led a session on Supreme Court reform, highlighting the challenges posed by the Court’s “6-3 MAGA supermajority” and its recent rollbacks on voting rights, reproductive rights, and affirmative action. Johnson advocated for court reforms, including adopting a code of conduct, term limits, and court expansion, arguing these changes are necessary to protect democracy and restore balance to the judicial system.
Representative Lauren Underwood moderated a panel on Black maternal health, focusing on the critical need for research and initiatives such as the NIH IMPROVE Initiative. The discussion underscored the alarming disparities in healthcare for Black women and the importance of ongoing efforts to address this crisis.
A significant highlight was the 16th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) Public Policy Forum Series, in partnership with the CBCF. The forum spotlighted Black women’s leadership, power, and influence in shaping a new movement and political era, particularly as the nation heads into the 2024 Presidential Election Cycle. Contributors to the 11th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Report shared insights on Black women’s roles in various movements, from civil rights to social justice.
Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, led the “Mothers of the Movement” workshop at the conference. The session brought together African American mothers who have lost loved ones to police violence. These mothers shared their stories and discussed their efforts in advocating for criminal justice reform and stricter gun laws to prevent future tragedies.
Vice President Kamala Harris, addressing the conference, called on the Congressional Black Caucus to leverage its history as “the conscience of the Congress” to shape the nation’s future. “The CBC has always had a vision for the future of our nation; a future where we can see what is possible unburdened by what has been,” Harris said. “Each of us has a job to do, and the bottom line is we know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what we fight for. And when the CBC fights, we win.”
CBCF President and CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery emphasized the critical moment in history that the conference represents. “We are at a defining moment in history. Just weeks ago, we saw the first African American woman nominated to run for president by a major party,” she stated. Austin-Hillery said the ALC’s mission remains to empower the global Black community by creating real opportunities and ensuring true equity.
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), CBCF Board Chair, highlighted the ALC’s role as a catalyst for change, urging attendees to seize this moment to make history. Congressman Glenn Ivey’s session on the challenges facing Black-owned businesses amidst conservative attacks on DEI emphasized the need for legislative advocacy. The push for the Black Wealth Agenda Resolution, H.R. 1101, seeks to enshrine DEI commitments into law.
Nicole Austin-Hillery reflected on the conference’s essence, stating, “Each and every voice adds to our collective strength; every collective action emphasizes our unity and our determination. And all of those things are necessary to move us from Vision to Victory.” The sentiment was echoed throughout the ALC, driving home the imperative to protect progress and work toward a future where equality and justice are not just ideals but realities.
“Each of us has a job to do, and the bottom line is we know what we stand for and that’s why we know what we fight for,” Harris asserted during the Phoenix Awards. “And when the CBC fights, we win.”
