CBCF's 45th Annual Legislative Conference Explores Liberty and Justice for All
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) June 18, 2015 -- A. Shuanise Washington, president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), today announced the theme and honorary co-chairs for the 45th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), scheduled Sept. 16 – 20 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
The ALC theme, “With Liberty and Justice for All,” pays homage to America’s Pledge of Allegiance, a national symbol of indivisibility and promise of equal rights, privileges and freedoms for all Americas. U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (AL) and Hakeem Jeffries (NY) will serve as co-chairs for the ALC.
“African Americans have not always felt included in the pledge of allegiance,” stated Rep. Chaka Fattah, CBCF board chairman. “This fall, the ALC will explore the civil and social inequities and challenges that African Americans face. We will also identify forward-looking solutions that move us closer toward that ideal promise: liberty and justice for all Americans.”
“As we enter this 45-milestone year for the ALC, we will tackle the systemic issues that plague our community, such as education, health and economic empowerment,” said A. Shuanise Washington, president and CEO of the CBCF. “We will be focusing on ways to reform the criminal justice system; alleviate poverty in our communities; improve opportunities for African Americans in STEM careers; and develop strategies to safeguard the environment for future generations.”
The ALC is the largest platform in which the CBCF delivers against its mission to eliminate the disparities in the global black community. In the wake of challenges facing African-Americans, in particular, the conference co-chairs expressed the urgency for the public policy discourse and solutions during this year’s ALC.
“It is critical that the African-American community come together to discuss the social justice and economic challenges we confront, and develop real solutions,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. “The CBCF’s 45th Annual Legislative Conference will provide the opportunity to do so in a compelling way. In the face of rising income inequality and the urgent need for police reform, this year’s gathering is as timely as ever.”
“The most important companion to awareness is action. This year’s theme for the 45th Annual Legislative Conference is a call to action. African-Americans must address the disparities that hurt our communities through civic and political engagement,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “We must lift up our voices to acknowledge and resolve the inequities that plague our communities, and the ALC is a meaningful conduit for confronting these issues.”
The ALC is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. Lawmakers, celebrities and concerned citizens attend the conference to partake in the more than 70 public policy forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, civic engagement and more. The ALC features a National Town Hall, Celebration of Leadership in Fine Arts awards ceremony, Gospel Extravaganza, Black Party, jazz concert, exhibit showcase, the annual Prayer Breakfast, and the culminating event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner, which enables the CBCF to continue its mission-critical programs.
General registration for the ALC opens June 22. For regular updates about the ALC, visit cbcfinc.org/alc, sign up to receive the e-newsletter and follow the CBCF on social media.
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ABOUT CBCF
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated, established in 1976, is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.
Shrita Sterlin-Hernandez, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated, http://www.cbcfinc.org, +1 (202) 263-5702, [email protected]
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