51ST ANNUAL ALC CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS: Advancing Our Purpose/Elevating Our POWER

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All:

 

 

For the first time in two years the Congressional Black Caucus reconvened their Annual Legislative Caucus Weekend in person, in Washington DC from September 28 through October 1st at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  And I'm happy to say that I was there - mobility scooter and all!  This is the first time the Caucus was held so late in the year.  It's usually early to mid-September, as opposed to carrying over into October - just scant weeks before the close of voter registration.

 

 

Most people are totally unaware of the Caucus and its importance to the constituents, so let me school you:

The Congressional Black Caucus, or CBC, for short,  brings together businesses, community based organizations, charitable organizations together to interface with our Black elected Congress members to plan and coordinate policies, programs, legislation to benefit their largely African American constituency - i.e., you/me/us - for the coming year. 

The Congressional Black Caucus was founded in 1971 by fourteen Black Congressional members including Charlie Rangel (D. NY), John Conyers (D. Michigan), Shirley Chisholm (D. NY), Ron Dellums (D. CA),  Parren Mitchell (D. MD), Robert N.C. Nix (D. PA), Walter Fauntroy (D. DC), among others.   They felt they would be more effective in working on behalf of their constituents if they consolidated their efforts - and they were absolutely correct.      

 

At present, Congressmembers Charlie Rangel, Walter Fauntroy, and William Lacy Clay are the three remaining members still living. They are walking history of the transformation of this august body from its fledgling days to their current status, where their work is more essential than ever before - in a post-T-rump/post January 6th, pre-apocalypse era.  

 

Now, in their 51st year, with 58 members,  the CBC's mission is more important than ever.  They are often called the conscious of Congress - primarily because the predominant tenor of Congress is to cater to majority constituents.  The Black Caucus - hence the Black congress members - have to go the extra mile to ensure we, as citizens, get what we need and deserve as voters and tax payers. 

It's been my privilege to cover the Congressional Black Caucus since 1985, with the exception, of course, of the years they were shuttered because of Covid. And so much has happened subsequent to the 2020 election,  it's  even more imperative that we know, understand, respect and support the work of the Caucus and those whom we have elected to represent us in DC. 

 

NOTE: {If at times I come from my soap box - and you know I will - it's because I feel the urgency to drive home the point that we cannot take anything for granted, or belittle the role of the Caucus and its members.  Just like I will definitely not let us get off the hook in reference to our responsibility to show up in a critical mass for this MIDTERM ELECTION - because our very lives are at stake}.

Over the course of three days, specialized workshops and roundtables covered such issues as police brutality, education, health imperatives, infrastructure, employment, violence and anti-violence measures, Africa and the Diaspora, cultural programs, economic issues that face constituents as inflation continues to rise; housing, home ownership and community development.  Hundreds of subject matter experts participated in presenting programs, issues and goals as well as plans for the future of Black Americans, while simultaneously trying to impress the importance of what this upcoming Midterm election will portend if voters don't get it right. 

This year's Chair, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, had her hands full trying to bring the event back to its full glory and energy after such a long hiatus.  But, while there may have been some minor glitches, the joy of being back together, face to face, in each other's company, more than made up for it.  For the first time the CBC was a hybrid production, making it possible for more constituents to watch from home and keep abreast of the various workshops and special activities.  I truly hope they took advantage of the opportunity to do so.

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty - Chair of CBC ALC Weekend 2022

I've always maintained that the CBC was one of the few key events where you could find the most intelligent, accomplished, purposeful Black people on the planet.  Where everyone dressed to impress, was congenial, civil, and focused on "doing good works."   It's the first time I've covered the Caucus and the illustrious Civil Rights hero, John Lewis, was not there, with his quiet, genteel presence - ever the activist -  hosting his widely popular Atlanta Reception. 

There was an undercurrent of tension throughout the event as the Midterms come closer and closer.  Will Rev. Raphael Warnock be able to retain his seat as Senator from Georgia?  This insidious challenge of being pitted against an insipid opponent in order to split the votes, and weaken the strength Georgia showed during the 2020 election.  One wonders what John Lewis would have said/done under these circumstances:  He probably would have appropriately pointed out that Republicans are not concerned about Walker's lack of character - they only want to get a majority - they would sponsor a pig if they could as long as it gives them a majority - they are banking on the lack of critical thinking skills on the part of many Georgia voters who are only going on name recognition.  SMH 

Does the Black voting constituency realize how serious it is that they get out and vote to return all their incumbents to office, while simultaneously electing more Democrats so that the programs, policies and work begun under the Biden administration can continue to benefit them and bear even more fruit?

Can the CBC galvanize their base even more so that Black voters "get it" and turn out in mass numbers the way they did during the presidential election?  Have they finally understood how key these upcoming Midterm elections are in terms of their own futures?  This is a real nail biter.

With so many workshops, roundtables and forums going on simultaneously, it's impossible to cover them all.  So I focused on two that are most in line with my interest, and crucial to all:  Affordable Housing Roundtable, and the Roundtable on African Affairs.

During the CBC Roundtable on Decent Affordable Housing, hosted by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D. NY), HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge outlined the programs they had  already put in place to provide affordable, quality homes in areas hard hit by neglect and dis-investment under the T-rump administration.  New York City, where housing costs are outrageously high, was a focal point, as well as homes in rural and blighted areas.   NYC Rents border on an unconsciounable $3,000 a month - assuming the tenant earns $100K a year.  Sadly, most Black New Yorkers' salaries are $50,000 and below.  

 

L) Congressman Hakeem Jeffries; Center/Front: NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams

 

Panelists addressed the practice of warehousing properties that should be made available to families who desperately needed them; funding for renovations in rural areas; expansion of quality homes for seniors, as well as quality of Black communities that had been allowed to decline, while  white communities had been given preferential treatment and services.  Other concerns were down playing the valuations of Black owned properties, while inflating their in adjacent neighborhoods - even when it was clear that the Black owned properties were far superior to those of their caucasian counterparts.  

After the Affordable Housing Roundtable L-R HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, Zeta Phi Beta President, Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

Catching up on old times with NYC NAACP President & SOROR Hazel Dukes, and other Soror from NYC.  

 

Brooklyn, NY Congressman Hakeem Jeffries at the Affordable Housing Roundtable

 

 

Jonathan Jackson - Son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson (L)

Vendor/Author at CBC whose book Embracing My Sexy Sixties was a big hit

NY State Assembly Woman Latrice M. Walker

 

 

 

On the other side of the Convention Center, African diplomats, businessmen and women, emissaries, gathered together with African American (We are the 6th Diaspora) panelists to focus on the future of African and  African American businesses, educators, activists, as leaders begin to wade through the challenges they face in trying to develop an autonomous, united continent of Africa.  The question on most minds was the apparent take over of African lands and businesses by Chinese predatory lenders, while African businesses are having difficulties realizing profits in their own countries; followed closely by why Africa is so dependent on food sources from outside the continent, as opposed to producing their own.  Present was Mel Foote, chair/founder of Constituency For Africa, made salient points about intra-African trade as opposed to depending on outside (possibly contaminated) imports of substandard quality food products, GMO seeds, etc. 

After the Roundtable on Africa with Mel Foote - President, Founder & CEO of Constituency for Africa -

The highpoint of the Caucus  Weekend is their Phoenix Awards Dinner, which took place on Saturday, October 1st under the theme “Advancing Our Purpose and Elevating Our Power."   The Phoenix Awards, which was co-hosted by Meagan Good and Omari Hardwick,  honored those who have distinguished themselves against the odds, and provided excellent, outstanding service to their communities, including: 

The great Opal Lee - whose outstanding dedication to making JUNETEENTH a national holiday by walking from Texas to Washington, DC to emphasize the importance of the holiday to Black people.

Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), who has now become somewhat of a "rock star" for his presiding over the select committee to investigate the events of January 6, 2021 when a rabid mob attacked the Nation's Capitol under the urging and instigation of T-rump.  He is also the longest serving Black elected official in the state of Mississippi.  Congressman Thompson received the Democracy Trailblazer Award.

The prolific and erudite author, public speaker, educator, activist Dr. Michael Eric Dyson - no stranger to most of us - received the much deserved CBC Chair's Phoenix Award.

Lisa D. Cook, advocate for gender and racial equity, is the first Black woman to serve on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. 

Ruth Carter, the fabulous costume designer who was nominated three times for her wonderful costumes in the films Malcom X (1992) and Amistad (1997).  She won the award in 2018 for her design in the iconic  BLACK PANTHER - becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award in that category.  

 

Vice President Kamala Harris addresses the Phoenix Awards at the 51st Annual Legislative Caucus

Vice President Kamala Harris' addressed the Congressional Black Caucus' Phoenix Awards Dinner for the first time in her role as Vice President: 

"This year’s conference theme, “Advancing Our Purpose and Elevating Our Power."  Tonight we gather once again at the Phoenix Dinner with so many friends and our CBC family.  The first time I attended this dinner, I was in college at Howard University.  You know.  And as a United States senator, I attended this dinner as a CBC member.  You will hear from the President about the progress we have made together.  A President who chose CBC members and staff to serve at every level of our government - including our outstanding Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Agency, Madam Secretary Marcia Fudge.

 
"With the CBC, we invested an historic 5.8 billion dollars -- that’s “B” with a -- “B” -- billion dollars -- in our HBCUs, knowing that our HBCUs are some of our best, best intuitions of academic excellence.  And, speaking of history, many of us were together yesterday morning for the investiture of the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court  Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

"We gather in unsettled times.  I have seen that as I have traveled across this nation and around the world as your Vice President.  And you have seen it, too.  Ideals and freedoms that we thought were long established and are now under threat.  And at home, threats to a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body.  Threats to a voter’s right to cast a ballot and have it counted.   And threats to the right of every citizen to lead and live free from hate and violence.  We have a job to do.  We have a job to do, because in this room we have the power we need to get it done.  And we have a President who works every single day to elevate that power even higher to advance that purpose even further.  My fellow Americans, it is my honor to introduce the President of the United States, Joe Biden!!"

President Joe Biden Addresses the CBC Phoenix Awards Dinner Guests

President Biden entered amidst a thundering applause and a standing ovation.  This is his first time attending the Phoenix Awards Dinner - a precedence set by former President Bill Clinton, followed by President Barack Obama, and now continued with President Biden.

"Jill and I are honored to be with so many friends.  You know, though, I know you’re really here to see Gladys Knight.  I ain’t one of the Pips."  The audience responded with laughter and applause.  What a welcome change to have a president who was not overly puffed up over delusions of his own self worth.

"And it’s time like these we’re reminded that America is about how we choose to see one another; how we choose to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve; how we choose to believe that  America is big enough for all of us to succeed.  We have had big wins since we were sworn in that simply wouldn’t have happened without the CBC.  I told you all I was going to appoint a Black woman to the Supreme Court, and we did.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Cory (Bush), and for reminding us of the resolve and joy at that  historic moment to close the racial gap to make sure all Black Americans -- no matter where they live, no matter what their circumstance -- got a chance to be vaccinated and boosted.

Highpoints of President Biden's address focused on the following accomplishments and concerns:

"More Black Americans gain health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
 "Black unemployment is down.  Black small-business creation is up.
 "And Black child poverty was cut in half in 2021 because of the Child Tax Credit. And, with the help of the CBC, we’re working like hell to make sure we make the Child Tax Credit permanent.  Permanent.  Permanent.  Look, instead of photo ops (which is what T-rump focused on during his misbegotten tenure - GDW), I delivered $5.8 Billion in funding -- more than any time in any portion of our history ever.

Marcia’s (HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge) leadership, we’re expanding our efforts to build Black wealth -  like others have - through homeownership;  because we know that’s how you build equity and pass down that wealth from generation to generation. 

And we’re also aggressively -- aggressively combatting racial discrimination in housing.  And that includes everything from ending the legacy of redlining -- which, I might add, was the first issue I got involved in as a young county councilman and almost lost, but we were right.

Black small businesses are the engines of our economy.  But you understand more than most people.  They’re the glue that holds a community together: the restaurant, the beauty shop, the barber shop, the drug store. 
 
Every business - no matter how big or small!  They’re the ones that sponsor the church events, the Little League events.  They’re the ones that hold a community together that people gather around.  So, it matters when we support small businesses in the Black community.

My administration disperses hundreds of billions of dollars in federal contracts for everything from refurbishing the decks on aircraft carriers to installing the railings on federal buildings.  I get to spend $600 billion a year.

And I made a decision that it's all going to be made and worked for in America.  None of that money is going to any outfit that’s not in America. 
We're determined to make sure that taxpayer dollars goes to American companies and American workers.  In my administration, We Buy American!  And that includes increasing the share of those dollars that go to small, disadvantaged businesses, including brown and Black businesses!

 

Susan Taylor & Hubby, Khephra Burns applaud President Biden's Vision for America at the Phoenix Awards Dinner
 

And we're going to bring that from 10 percent of all that money spent going to small businesses that are Black and brown to 15 percent by 2025. That means an additional $100 billion to those businesses and those communities.    It matters!

In reference to infrastructure, we will replace poisonous lead pipes so every child can turn on a faucet, whether they’re at home or school, and drink clean water. 

You all worked hard to pass  the George Floyd Justice Policing Act in the House, but it got blocked by Senate Republicans.  And since they blocked it, I signed an historic Executive Order that included key elements of the bill: banning choke holds; greatly restricting no-knock warrants; creating a national database for officer misconduct; tighten of the use-of-force police [policies] emphasize -- emphasis on de-escalation; and to call for a fresh approach to recruit, hire, train, promote, and retain law enforcement that come from the neighborhoods they serve and know the people they’re charged to protect.  That’s tied to more community policing and advancing public trust and public safety.
 
"Let me be clear: I’m not going to stand by and watch the fundamental freedoms in this country be taken from you, like the right to vote and have your vote counted.

I’ll defend our democracy and your freedoms with every fiber of my being.You had my back, and I promise you I’ll have yours!"  - President Joe Biden

President Biden's speech brought the entire ballroom to their feet in thunderous standing ovation.  And rightly so!  He made this declaration early on, on September 1, 2022 at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, PA - and has reiterated it over and over.   

 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

FOOTNOTE FROM ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS:

I'm adding a footnote here, one I hope you'll take to heart and share: 

EVERY MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS, EVERY MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MUST BE ON MESSAGE, SHOW UNITY, AND COME TOGETHER TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH AMERICA AND HAS ALREADY GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT MOST PRESIDENTS HAVE DONE. 

WE MUST IMPRESS UPON ALL OUR FELLOW DEMOCRATS THAT THIS MIDTERM ELECTION IS ABOUT SAVING THE SOUL OF AMERICA FROM DESTRUCTION AND PRIVATION! 

 

On September 1, 2022, President Joe Biden put his foot down, literally and figuratively, and let it be known that he would not stand idly by, or cower in the face of fascism that has been given a boost on every level by the predator in chief (my words, not his) and would take a firm stand against any and all incursions of the freedoms of all Americans by the maggots (Maga).  

 

He also emphasized that he was focused on making America better than it was through several hands on measures.  President Biden is keeping those promises admirably, while sending a signal to the opposition that he was not going to tolerate the kinds of hostile aggressions and threats leveled at those who are sincere about America's progress from those who spent the previous four years simultaneously  intimidating, lying to, and robbing Americans. 

Over the past 30 days, from September 1 to October 1, 2022 - he has more than kept  his promise, including a convening a joint summit to stop the violence and focus on keeping his promises to expand and implement services that were essential to the well being and growth of America.  

 

I want you to know that he has kept his word at every turn.  He has personally visited victims of violence and assaults - such as the victims of the Buffalo, NY Massacre, while also going on site to Florida to walk through the devastation with Governor DeSantis ( DeInsanity - my words, not his) to begin to mitigate the damage of Hurricane Ira (?).  He has made MADE IN AMERICA and return of manufacturing and jobs that had been exported overseas to other countries - back to the United States. 

Make no mistake about it - President Biden is a president who has kept, and is keeping, his word, and is focused on doing even more.

Here's the deal - as he would say - Each and every member of the Congressional Black Caucus, their constituents,  those reading this blog; those who don't read this blog, but live in battleground states; educators, doctors, lawyers, business owners,   Americans with any sense of propriety and love for their country, must  hammer home this information.  They must expound loudly and clearly on the reasons this MIDTERM ELECTION IS CRITICAL TO  THE CONTINUATION OF THE PROGRESS - THIS IS A MIDTERM FOR ALL THE MARBLES - SO THAT HE CAN CONTINUE TO PULL AMERICA BACK UP FROM THE SLIPPERY SLOPE DOWN THE PRIMORDIAL OOZE THAT SLIMEBALLS T-RUMP, MCCONNELL, AND THOSE OF THEIR ILK HAVE PUT US ON - 

 

MESSAGE TO WOMEN:  If we lose this Midterm election, then, women get out your chastity belts and chains, Black people get out your shackles and hand over the whips to the caucasoid slave monsters; educators give up your degrees and seek jobs as janitors - because this country will never be able to make a comeback from such a defeat.

I know this is a departure from the coverage of the CBC and from the reportage of the Phoenix Awards - an event that is designed to show our progress and our courage in the face of adversity.  Well, we are facing adversity big time - and are days away from the MIDTERM 2022 ELECTIONS!! STOP WATCHING BOGUS NEWS REPORTS  (which is really free publicity for T-rump and his maga maggots - The President gets 6 minutes - T-rump gets 25!!)    AND USE YOUR OWN COMMON SENSE FOR A CHANGE.  

 

STOP GETTING FILLED UP WITH THE SPURIOUS FOOLISHNESS ABOUT T-RUMP, THAT IS DESIGNED TO DIVERT YOUR ATTENTION FROM THE REAL ISSUES AND FOCUS ON YOUR JOB - TO GET OUT, REGISTER, VOTE - AND MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER EITHER DEMOCRAT OR - WHATEVER THAT OTHER PARTY IS.

I AM AWARE THAT I AM PREACHING TO THE CHOIR - BUT IT'S TIME FOR THE CHOIR TO TAKE IT ON THE ROAD AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE OTHERS SINGING OUR TUNE IN HARMONY AND UNISON: 

BLACK MIDTERM VOTES MATTER! 

WOMEN'S MIDTERM VOTES MATTER! 

GEN Z'S MIDTERM VOTES MATTER! 

SENIOR'S MIDTERM VOTES MATTER! 

YOUR MIDTERM VOTES MATTER - 

WE HAVE TO WIN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE - 

DON'T LET THE MEANSTREAM MEDIA TELL YOU CAN'T WIN BOTH - 

YOU CAN DO IT! YOU MUST DO IT!

THE BEAUTY OF MY ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS BLOG IS THAT I CAN ENDORSE WHO I WANT. I'M NEITHER BI-PARTISAN OR NON-PARTISAN.  I'M KNOWN AS THE "PARTISAN PRESS," BECAUSE WHAT AFFECTS THE READERS AFFECTS ME AS WELL. 

WE ALL KNOW THAT THE REPUGLYCON (REPUBLICAN FOR THE UNINITIATED) PARTY IS BACKING THE MOST REPREHENSIBLE CHARACTERS THEY CAN FIND - BECAUSE THEY CAN MANIPULATE THEM.   HENCE THE REASON THEY ARE BACKING WALKER OVER WARNOCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS MORALS OR COMPETENCE.  WE, WHO ARE THE INTELLIGENT ONES ASK DON'T GET IT- WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD SUPPORT SUCH A CRETIN.  WHAT WE FAIL TO REALIZE IS TO THEM THIS IS A NUMBERS GAME.  THEIR ONLY INTEREST IS HAVING A MAJORITY IN THE SENATE SO THEY CAN UNDERMINE PROGRESS!  THEY KNOW THAT THERE ARE GULLIBLE BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE FOOLED INTO THINKING HE IS EITHER A HERO BECAUSE OF HIS SPORTS BACKGROUND; OR THAT HE IS AN UNDERDOG BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OF US WHO ARE INSULTED BY HIS EVEN BEING CONSIDERED FOR SENATE.  WHITES LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE FITS HE STEREOTYPE OF THE CHARACTER ELDRIDGE CLEAVER WROTE ABOUT IN SOUL ON ICE: "THE SUPER MASCULINE MENIAL."

THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO ARE "TOO SOPHISTICATED" TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE.  THAT'S HOW WE LOSE.  TIME TO SPEAK OUT - COME OUT OF OUR SAFETY CORNER AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL OUR ASSOCIATES, CONSTITUENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS KNOW THAT WE ARE UNDER SIEGE - THAT THIS IS THE TIME TO PANIC - PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS - AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE NEW HITLER IS RIGHT ON THE THRESHOLD OF OVERTHROWING AMERICA.  EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US MUST GO BACK TO OUR BASE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE TURN OUT THE VOTES AND DEFEAT THE REPUGLYCONS AND THE MAGA MAGGOTS AT EVERY TURN - EXPANDING THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE - BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS IS ALSO AT STAKE IF WE DON'T DEFEAT ANARCHY, RACISM, VIOLENCE, FASCISM AND ALL T-RUMP STANDS FOR.

Y/OUR MIDTERM VOTES MATTER - 

BIG TIME!!

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

THIS YEAR WE HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF BLACK CANDIDATES RUNNING IN KEY ELECTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY - SOME YOU KNOW, SOME YOU MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH.  BUT WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM ALL - WE HAVE TO PLAY FOR ALL THE MARBLES - DESPITE MEANSTREAM MEDIA LIARS AND PUNDITS - OUR VOTES MATTER - OUR MIDTERM VOTES MATTER - 

Val Demings (FL), Raphael Warnock (GA), Mandela Barnes (WI), Marcus Flowers (GA), Karen Bass (CA), Tim Ryan (OH), Letitia James (NY), Stephen Kinsey (PA), Stacey Abrams (GA), Chris Jones (AR), Wes Moore (MD), Sheri Beasley (NC), Krystle Matthews (SC), and other key critical DEMOCRATIC candidates -  running for everything from School Board, to State, Local and and national office.  

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE BLUE - 

NO MATTER WHO!!

 

PS:  Thanks to the DCPD police department and the Good Samaritan who turned in my purse and  Officer Hernandea, who returned it to me with all my ID and info in it.  You guys are awesome!! Thanks for your service - Stay Blessed - GDW

Gloria DULAN-Wilson