By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
(NNPA Newswire) – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) on Sept. 14 culminated in an influential Phoenix Awards gala at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, 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 the pinnacle 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. He praised the CBC for its integral role in bolstering his administration’s efforts.
“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 also stressed the importance of continued vigilance to ensure a future where freedom, justice and equality prevail. “We must show up; we must look to the future. I’m looking to you to help lead the way,” he told the audience.
And Democrats are looking to another CBC alum to lead the way. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, also addressed the gathering, calling on the CBC 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, “a future where we fulfill the promise of America; a promise of freedom opportunity and justice, not just for some but for all.”
Another Black leader in whom Democrats see a bright future is Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who 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 said.
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” tribute 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 artists Fatman Scoop and Rich Homie Quan, actress Erica Ash, Rev. James Lawson and baseball superstar Willie Mays.
Throughout the week, the ALC tackled pressing issues impacting the Black community. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., 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.
Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., moderated a panel on Black maternal health, focusing on the critical need for research and programs such as the NIH IMPROVE Initiative. The discussion underscored the alarming disparities in health care 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.
Congressman Glenn Ivey’s session on the challenges facing Black-owned businesses amidst conservative attacks on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs emphasized the need for legislative advocacy. The push for the Black Wealth Agenda Resolution, H.R. 1101, seeks to enshrine DEI commitments into law.
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 said.
Austin-Hillery said the ALC’s mission remains to empower the global Black community by creating real opportunities and ensuring true equity. Reflecting on the conference’s essence, she added, “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 conference, driving home the imperative to protect progress and work toward a future where equality and justice are not just ideals but realities. Vice President Harris summarized it this way during her remarks at the Phoenix Awards:
“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.”
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