ALC registration opened June 22

A. Shuanise Washington , president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), recently 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 Washington. “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.”

Black Meetings & Tourism recently announced that it is bringing back its Global Travel Pavilion (GTP) as part of ALC 45 after an absence of over a decade.  “Black Meetings & Tourism successfully presented the BM&T Global Travel Pavilion for a number of years, but discontinued the event after 9/11 and the resulting downturn in travel activity,” explains BM&T Associate Publisher/Editor Gloria Herbert .  “The decision was made to bring back the Global Travel Pavilion after renewed interest was expressed in the event by many of BM&T’s industry partners,” she adds.   According to Herbert, BM&T’s GTP “will not only provide a platform for destinations and other travel related businesses to promote and brand their products and services, it will also   serve to generate increased interest in the career and investment opportunities the travel industry offers.”

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. 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. 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.