The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 35th Annual Legislative Conference a Major Success

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Senator John Kerry, Kofi Annan, Cindy Sheehan, Al Sharpton among the notable speakers.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 13, 2005 -- Many of the nation’s top leaders, legislators, grassroots activists, and entertainers participated in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 35TH Annual Legislative Conference this past week. The mega conference touting Unity…Power…Progress as its theme, united over 20,000 attendees for four jam packed days of conference activities.

On Wednesday, September 21, 2005, Dr. Don Tharpe, CBCF’s President and CEO was joined by CBC members onstage at the opening press conference as he announced CBCF’s launch of a Katrina Relief Fund to provide financial resources directly to those affected by the hurricane. Tharpe indicated that the Foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million toward that effort. “CBCF is thrilled to be able to raise money that will go directly toward getting evacuees back in their homes, back in their neighborhoods,” said Tharpe. “When General Mills learned about the relief fund, they immediately decided to participate with a donation and have challenged CBCF’s other supporters to get involved. We invite more sponsors to answer the call.” Talk of Katrina’s aftermath permeated the conference as concerned CBC members and panelists made mention of survivors in their sessions.

The first day of issue forums covered topics such as, creating sustainable wealth with Reverend Floyd Flake and voting and civil rights with Donna Brazile. The Welcome Ceremony set the stage for the events that followed with keynote addresses by powerhouse speakers Senator Barack Obama and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. That same evening while CBC Spouses honored Debbie Allen and the legendary Ruby Dee, the ALC co-chairs Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Danny K. Davis hosted a candlelight vigil on behalf of survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds gathered on the Capitol steps to share their stories, sing songs, reflect, and talk about how to rebuild their neighborhoods.

Thursday’s Town Hall Meeting to address eradicating poverty presented a stacked panel that included Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Dr. Ben Carson, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and others who joined moderators Harry Belafonte and Dr. Charles Ogletree. Emerging Leaders participated in innovative offerings like The Instant Apprentice, a speed-networking “power lunch” with Congressman Charles Rangel, numerous executives and CEOs from major corporations and real-life Apprentice Omarosa Stallworth. A host of other panel discussions were presented throughout the day, one on rebuilding Katrina-affected communities with Ron Dellums.

Friday, September 23, 2005, proved to be a peak day. Standout sessions included Congressman Donald Payne’s foreign affairs braintrust, which featured United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Rep. Charles Rangel’s Iraq War panel provided an interesting mix of views from Kweisi Mfume, Al Sharpton, and “Peace Mom” Cindy Sheehan. Rep. Christensen’s panel on the children of Hurricane Katrina featured Marian Wright Edelman, and Rep. Maxine Waters again held her finger to the pulse of the hip hop generation with her “Young, Gifted, and Black” session that included Wyclef Jean. Also appearing in Friday’s panels were former congressional members, Louis Stokes and Eva Clayton, and Essence Magazine’s Susan Taylor. That evening, the CBC Spouses’ incomparable Fashion Show hosts presented Diddy with a special fashion award. Celebrity runway models include actresses Vivica Fox and Judge Hatchett.
Saturday, September 24, opened with the Annual Prayer Breakfast attended by displaced citizens of Hurricane Katrina. A string of sessions followed, including a faith leaders discussion with Minister Louis Farrakhan; Rep. Gwen Moore’s panel on African American advancement with motivational speaker Les Brown, and an Emerging Leaders session Me, Inc.—a self-brand how-to guide with Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Honored at the Annual Awards Dinner this year were Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honorable P.J. Patterson; head of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke; and BET head, Debra Lee. A special award was presented to heroes from Hurricane Katrina and a posthumous award was accepted by Linda Johnson Rice on behalf of her father, late publishing icon, John H. Johnson. Actress Alfre Woodward and actor, James Avery served as emcees while legendary singing sensation Howard Hewitt performed a few of his greatest hits. This final evening of the conference was topped off with a major charity gala with proceeds going toward the Katrina relief fund.

The Annual Legislative Conference raises funds for CBCF’s scholarship, fellowship, and internship programs as well as its home-buying, African globalism and public health initiatives. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit educational and research institution established in 1976 to promote collaboration among community and business leaders and organized labor to effect positive and sustainable change in the African-American community and African Diaspora. For more information call 202-263-2800.

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