CBCF’s National Town Hall to Examine Poverty and Violence

WASHINGTON – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will devote its annual national town hall meeting to a discussion about the causes and consequences of poverty and violence on our youth. “From Poverty to Prosperity: Confronting Violence, Restoring Opportunity, and Investing in Our Youth” will take place from 9-11:30 a.m., Sept. 19, 2013, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The town hall meeting is the centerpiece of the Foundation’s 43nd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), Sept. 18-21.

“With respect to the prospects of economic opportunity and entrepreneurship, the unemployment rate for blacks continues to be twice as high as that of whites,” said Menna Demessie, Ph.D., senior research and policy analyst for CBCF. “This conversation will deal with the root causes of poverty and gun violence and offer policy and community-oriented solutions on how to offer robust economic opportunities for the African-American community.”

Moderated by Harvard Law professor, Dr. Charles Ogletree, Jr., the three-segment panel will address criminal justice reform, economic opportunity and minority business development and education reform. From the discussion, participants will offer solutions to improve African American prosperity and create more opportunities for small and minority businesses.

Dr. Ogletree, internationally known legal theorist, has spent his career working to secure the rights guaranteed by the Constitution for all equally under the law. He is Founder and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice and under his leadership, the Institute has engaged in a wide range of important educational, legal, and policy issues. Dr. Ogletree has authored and edited several books on race and justice including: “The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Race, Class, and Crime in America”,  “All Deliberate Speed: Reflections on the First Half-Century of Brown v. Board of Education”, and most recently “Life without Parole: America’s New Death Penalty”?

Other distinguished panelists include:

Rep. Donna Edwards of Maryland

Rep. Cedric Richmond of Richmond

Judge Greg Mathis Mayor of Baltimore-Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Mayor of Philadelphia-Michael Nutter
Dr. Calvin Mackie-Managing Partner, Channel Zer0 Group, LLC; Louisiana Council on the Social Status of Black Boys and Men
Deacon Larry D. Oney-Chairman, HGI International

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 43rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) is the leading conference on legislative and policy issues impacting the African-American and Diaspora communities. Nearly 10,000 people will attend this four-day gathering to develop solutions to the challenges facing Black communities around the world through issues forums, brain trusts, a town hall meeting, networking sessions, and more.

This year’s ALC theme, “It Starts With You,” is a call to action urging individuals to champion much-needed change in public policy. The conference features the Exhibit Showcase, which offers educational, health and business-related opportunities for ALC attendees and an outreach project with Thrive DC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people facing the dire consequences of economic upheaval, including homelessness and housing instability. The premier ALC event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner fundraiser, supports the Foundation’s educational programs, scholarships and research initiatives. The conference includes a prayer breakfast that features gospel recording artists, including Marvin Sapp, who will deliver the morning message.

For live shots/satellite information, please contact mcooper@cbcfinc.org.

Registration: http://cbcfinc.org/registration-2013.html

Media registration: https://show.jspargo.com/cbcf13/reg/default.asp?caller=PRS

Twitter – www.twitter.com/CBCFInc (#CBCFALC13 #Itstartswithyou)

Facebook – www.facebook.com/CBCFInc

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