WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) attracted some Black politicians, activists and policymakers from around the country to collaborate on strategies for ensuring and maintaining Black advancements.
This year’s theme “From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices” offered participants four days of panels, workshops, receptions and a National Town Hall that focused on equal economic opportunity.
Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala.), Board Chair of CBCF, said at the opening press conference, “The CBCF board takes seriously our mission to uplift, empower and advance the Black community. The Annual Legislative Conference is more than just a conference; it is a catalyst for change.”
The town hall drew a packed house to hear solutions to closing the growing Black wealth gap. According to the Brookings Institute, owning a home is frequently considered the gateway to achieving the “American dream” and building wealth across generations.
However, recent Census data found for Blacks, this route is often harder to achieve, with their homeownership rate standing at 46.4 percent, in contrast to 75.8 percent for White families.
To add insult to injury, Brookings found homes in predominately Black neighborhoods from coast to coast are valued at $48,000 less than in predominately White neighborhoods for a cumulative loss in equity of approximately $156 billion.
Work, not rhetoric and public policy changes, is necessary, said panelist John Hope Bryant, founder of Operation Hope, a nonprofit focused on financial literacy. “If we are saying that economic advancement is through home ownership, we have to chart out how to get there.
The reason why we focus on student loan debt cancellation, but not the $50,000 or $20,000, but revision in the public service loan forgiveness is because the biggest employers of African Americans is the government and nonprofits.
As a result of that revision, we’ve seen over $2 billion of loan forgiveness, which opens up the ability for individuals to get into home ownership, which starts the process,” he said.
“However, private equity firms are buying up blocks of homes to create permanent home renters. We have to revise public policies to prevent that so we can get into the game.
Every single program created to rebuild our communities have been exploited to displace and gentrify, Black grant programs, empowerment zones, enterprise communities, you name it. Each one of them have created a nuance in the language that made the barrier for us to truly access those programs too high.”
The town hall was hosted by veteran journalist Don Lemon and included Dr. Michael McAfee, president and CEO of PolicyLink; LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund; and Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP.
“There is a huge disparity in terms of wealth between the Black community and the majority community, and we know it is our obligation to do what we can to close that gap,” said Nicole Austin-Hillery, president and CEO of the CBCF. She encouraged attendees to “figure out how each of you, in your own communities, in your own jurisdictions, can be leaders right where you sit.”
The town hall panelists answered various questions regarding solutions to the issues faced by Black America and the country as a whole. Each shared diverse recommendations and solutions. Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.), ALC honorary co-chair, told the crowd,
“Today’s conversation isn’t just about identifying problems, it’s about finding real, tangible solutions. It’s time to push the policies that expand access to capital for Black entrepreneurs … invest in education and workforce development and create affordable job options.”
“We need to dismantle the systems of discrimination in hiring, lending and tax practices,” said Rep. Carter. “We must ensure that Black Americans have a seat at the table, or seats at the table, when decisions that shape our economy, shape our future and shape our lives are being had.”
Hazel Richardson, a small business owner traveled from Lexington, Kentucky, to participate in the CBC conference, which was held Sept. 11-15. She told The Final Call, “I enjoyed this town hall. It wasn’t just a ‘rah-rah’ session for Vice President (Kamala) Harris. This session talked about tangible things we can do regardless of who is in the White House.
Whoever is president can only do so much. President (Barack) Obama showed us that. Black people have to chart our own way to success. We have to look at the reality of our situation and do something for ourselves. Waiting on the government won’t do it,” said Ms. Richardson.
If Vice President Harris is victorious in the upcoming presidential election, many wonder if and how she will be held accountable for her campaign promises. Can she do everything she says? Is her “Opportunity Economy” proposal possible?
“That question is on lots of people’s minds,” New York researcher and historian Dr. Stephen Collier told The Final Call. “Who controls the House and Senate will play a part in what she does.
However, governing this country takes more than the president. That’s why local elections are so important. They have more impact on the daily lives of Black people. Who will be the next police commissioner in your city, who will be on the school board? Those elections are significant,” he said.
“The CBC has to continue to be the ‘conscious of the Congress’ and speak truth to power, especially when the president looks like them. They have to be just as hard on her as they would be if Trump gets reelected.”
The CBC ALC conference, included the Sojourner Truth Women’s Leadership Reception, a Day of Healing keynoted by Bishop Paul S. Morton and the Phoenix Awards. Throughout the week other private events took place like the National Newspaper Publishing Association Saluting Excellence in Leadership.
The event honored national leaders whose work improved the quality of life for African Americans. The honorees included Deleso A. Alford, J.D., LL.M, Southern University Law Center, Alan Powell, president and CEO HeroZona Foundation and Senator Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).
“The NNPA this year is also celebrating the 197th year of the Black Press of America. We remain on the frontline of the ongoing struggle for freedom, justice, equality and equity.
We report the news factually. We also remain committed to advocating for the improvement and advancement of the quality of life for all Americans and for all throughout the world,” explained Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., NNPA president and CEO.
