Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Kicks Off 54th Annual Legislative Conference with Powerful Community-Focused Opening, Spotlighting Unity, Policy, and Progress
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) 54th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) kicked off with the Opening Press Conference under the theme "Made for this Moment: Power, Policy, Progress." For the first time, CBC and CBCF leaders hosted the ALC Opening Press Conference in the local community at Sycamore & Oak Cultural Center in Southeast, Washington, D.C., featuring more than a dozen community partners.
Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO of CBCF, said, "What makes this year's opening especially powerful is that we are bringing this press conference into the community. By doing so, we stand in unity and solidarity with civil rights leaders, social justice advocates, and partners who have long been on the frontlines of progress."
At a critical time for our nation, and in the face of challenges confronting Black America, the ALC is more relevant than ever. ALC54 highlights how members of the CBC are rising to meet this moment, and how the conference continues to serve as a vital platform for convening thought leaders, providing critical information and insights, and setting strategy to shape lasting change.
ALC honorary co-chairs, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD) and Assistant Democratic Leader Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), are leading the conference agenda this year, taking in a broad array of essential topics relevant to Black America and the global Black community, including inequities in economic development, civil and social justice, public health and education.
Sen. Alsobrooks said, "The truth is, we are at a pivotal moment. The challenges before us are real, but so is our capacity to meet them head-on. We are equipped, ready, and committed to creating lasting change for our communities, our country, and our future."
The event brought together legislators, civil rights leaders, and social justice advocates to share remarks about this critical time for our nation, with many challenges confronting Black America. Together, they highlighted how the CBC is rising to meet this moment and how the ALC continues to serve as a vital platform for providing information, insight, and tools to support the Black community.
Rep. Neguse added, "This week is more than a calendar of events - it's a living testament to the power of our collective action. Each gathering, each conversation, and each performance is a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose, the drive and commitment to our communities."
Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, reiterated that "We are here because we want the world to see the entrepreneurs, artists, and others in our neighborhoods striving and thriving. We cannot be silent while narratives are created that our community has no worth."
Rep. Terri Sewell (AL) shared, "This year's theme could not be more fitting. The challenges we face as a nation are great, but so is our resolve. CBCF's work in developing leaders, shaping policy, and educating the public is grounded in the belief that our community is not only prepared for this moment, but positioned to lead through it."
The following five days of conference programming and sideline signature events (September 24-28) will deliver thoughtful conversations and yield innovative takeaways to advance a powerful political agenda and deliver tangible progress in the face of urgent national challenges.
Immediately following the press conference, CBCF, in collaboration with State of the People, hosted DC Community Day, which provided vital resources to community members and their families, including the Black Farmers' Market fresh produce giveaway curated by Black + Forth, a legal aid clinic, and other community provisions. The event also focused on investing in the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs through a small business pitch competition, led by Our Village United.
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About the CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org. As a 501(c)(3), the CBCF takes no position on legislation or regulatory matters before Congress or any other government agency.
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SOURCE Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
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