43rd Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference

Throughout the centuries, humankind has been able to identify one person – an individual – who made a difference, who changed the thinking, who made an innovative discovery that led to a seismic shift in how history was written. “It Starts With You,” the theme of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 43rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) from Sept. 18-21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington hopes to have the same impact on the thousands of individuals expected to attend the four-day conference. Reps. Donna Edwards of Maryland and Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana will serve as honorary co-chairs.

ALC provides an opportunity to highlight the mission of CBCF – to develop leaders, inform policy and educate the public – by providing more than 70-high level, thought-provoking forums to address the critical challenges facing African-Americans and the African Diaspora. Through the town hall meeting, brain trusts, social media and personal interaction to encourage discussions, ALC attendees will have many opportunities to share their thoughts and experiences and learn the positive impact one person can have on society.

“We encourage everyone, be they political figures, leaders in industry and non-profit organizations, celebrities eager to lend their voices to a cause, or citizens with a desire to obtain information to uplift their communities, to come together to exchange ideas and create solutions to the unique issues facing African Americans today,” said A. Shuanise Washington, president and chief executive officer for CBCF. “The goal of ALC is to find workable solutions to help stimulate our economy, end health disparities and improve education.”

In addition to the issue forums, ALC’s news-making national town hall meeting, “From Poverty to Prosperity: Confronting Violence, Restoring Opportunity, and Investing in our Youth” will address the impact of poverty, juvenile justice and gun violence; the exhibit hall will feature a newly-introduced procurement fair for small businesses; icons in the performing and visual arts will be honored for their contributions; and the next generation of leaders – current and alumni participants in the Foundation’s stellar internship and fellows program will be showcased.

“ALC is recognized as one of the most important gatherings of African-Americans in the nation,” said Rep. Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania and CBCF chair. “Every year, we see thousands of returning attendees and even more new faces ready to join the dialogue so they too can be agents of change in their communities. Our communities find support through the Foundation’s work on policies, programs and initiatives. It is our focused agenda that provides greater opportunities for all Americans.”

The conference will also include the much heralded Phoenix Awards Dinner fundraiser, the inspirational Prayer Breakfast and a community outreach project in volunteering at Thrive D.C., a philanthropic organization dedicated to homelessness and providing vulnerable individuals a comprehensive range of services to help stabilize their lives.

Registration opens on May 13 at http://www.cbcfinc.org/alc2013-registration.html
Media registration opens on May 13 at http://www.cbcfinc.org/alc2013-registration.html
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