Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc: 2008

Monday, September 22, 2008

Spiritual Renewal Set For Annual Prayer Breakfast

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will host its annual Prayer Breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m., on Saturday, September 27, as part of the 38th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Prayer Breakfast will feature a keynote message from the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, the senior pastor of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, president of Wilberforce University in Ohio, and a former congressman from Queens, N.Y. With more than 20,000 members, Greater Allen A.M.E. and its entities operate expansive commercial and residential projects, a 700-student private school and various social service enterprises, placing it among the country's most productive religious and urban development institutions. The Prayer Breakfast is among the most popular events each year at ALC. This year's program will also feature acclaimed gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark, who garnered the 2000 Stellar Award for "Best New Artist" and the 2008 Stellar Award for "Praise and Worship CD of the Year."

BHEP to Cap Off In Washington, D.C.

As part of the 38th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will present the final stop of the Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP) tour in the nation's capital. The event will be held as a special session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, in the ALC '08 Exhibition Hall at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. The program is free and open to the public. This BHEP program will feature a series of interactive presentations during a healthy living forum. International fitness celebrity Donna Richardson Joyner, creator of "Sweating in the Spirit" exercise videos, will headline the program along with her husband, Tom Joyner, host of the "Tom Joyner Morning Show," the nationally syndicated radio program.

Legendary B.B. King Highlights CBC Spouses’ Celebration of Leadership

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses will recognize the significant contributions of three outstanding individuals in the visual and performing arts, as well as students pursuing careers and opportunities in those areas during the 12th Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts. Legendary “King of the Blues” musician B.B. King, visual artist Betye Saar and noted Muhammad Ali photographer Howard Bingham will be feted at the event set for 8 to 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 24, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. The Celebration of Leadership program will kick off the Spouses’ activities at CBCF’s 38th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), set for September 24 to 27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. More than 18,000 people are expected to attend the four-day conference.

CBCF Book Premiere Salutes Congressional Black Caucus

CBC members have unprecedented influence in Congress. Several serve as chairmen of key House committees while others lead subcommittees. Rep. James E. Clyburn (left) is the House Majority Whip and Senator Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee for president. At ALC ’08, CBCF will unveil Continuing the Legacy: A Salute to the Congressional Black Caucus of the 110th Congress as a commemorate keepsake. Advance sales of this limited-edition book are now available.

• Continuing the Legacy

CBCF Hosts Events At National Conventions

CBCF hosted networking events at both the Democratic National Convention in Denver and Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, to further connect with African Americans involved in the political process. In Denver, CBCF honored retiring NEA President Reg Weaver (left) and sponsored a study of DNC delegates and proceedings that was led by a college professor and supported by four recent participants of the Foundation’s congressional fellowship program.

• CBCF Congressional Fellows Program

Thursday, August 21, 2008

CBCF Celebrates Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones Legacy, Life and Leadership

CBCF celebrates the life and legacy of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio. Rep. Tubbs Jones served on CBCF's board of directors, led its nominating committee and helped guide its annual Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic, which is named after her late husband and each year raises thousands of dollars for scholarships.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

CBC Foundation Joins Effort to Honor Heroes Fighting Heart Disease

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and General Mills are supporting the second-annual Sisters Saving Hearts grant initiative as part of the Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts campaign. The grassroots program will award five $5,000 grants to individuals or service organizations working to raise awareness for heart disease prevention.

Monday, August 4, 2008

"Debate Watch" to Draw Hundreds During ALC '08

A presidential "Debate Watch" and B.B. King, Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, the Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake and other notables will join the 42 members of the CBC at the 38th Annual Legislative Conference.

BHEP Travels to Milwaukee

The Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP) event at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union will feature local congresswoman Rep. Gwen Moore, civic leaders and health experts. International fitness celebrity Billy Blanks, creator of the "Tae Bo" total body fitness system, joins the tour for the first time. BHEP's theme is “Eat, Move and Test for Health.”

CBCF President Applauds Removal of Nelson Mandela fromTerror Watch List

After learning last year that Nelson Mandela was on U.S. terror watchlists during Foundation briefings in South Africa with CBCF President and CEO Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D. and Del. Donna M. Christensen, Rep. Barbara Lee sought to have the former South African president removed from the lists. Congress agreed and her measure will help restore honor to Mandela’s legacy.

CBCF, CBC Spouses Host Annual Golf and Tennis Tournament in Virginia

CBCF and the CBC Spouses hosted the 16th Annual Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic June 21-22 at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Virginia. Many CBC members, CBCF corporate sponsors and celebrity golfer Kevin Hall (left) attended. The Classic’s proceeds benefit the CBC Spouses’ scholarship programs.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Panel Discussed New Report on Black Male Academic Achievement

CBCF and Rep. Danny K. Davis of Illinois released on Thursday, June 19, the results of a comprehensive report – “Breaking Barriers: Plotting the Path to Academic Success for School-age African-American Males,” by CBCF Senior Analyst Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D. – during a breakfast forum on Capitol Hill.

Donna Edwards Joins Congress After Winning Special Election

Donna Edwards was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties on June 17. The first African-American woman to serve Congress from Maryland, she replaces Rep. Albert R. Wynn, who resigned May 31 after serving eight terms. Ms. Edwards will serve a full two-year term if she wins November's general election.

Donna Edwards Campaign Web Site

BHEP Travels to Charlotte

The Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP) event at the Stratford Richardson YMCA featured local congressman, Rep. Melvin L. Watt, civic leaders and health experts. CBCF’s national health initiative educates African Americans about the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases. The tour’s theme is “Eat, Move and Test for Health.”

CBC President Speaks Out About Delivery of Obama T-Shirt

CBCF President Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., is troubled by an offensive t-shirt that was mailed to the organization following Sen. Barack Obama's Democratic presidential nomination. The shirt has a cartoon image of Curious George, the beloved children’s character, with a paper bag over his head holding a sign that says “A Truth We Can Believe in '08!!!” written underneath. Dr. Scott told “The Sleuth” blog on washingtonpost.com: “We received it as a reaction to Obama's presidential nomination.” More about Dr. Scott.

CBCF, CBC Spouses, Safeway Continue Commitment to Those in Need

CBCF, CBC Spouses and Safeway delivered almost 5,000 crates of food to a homeless shelter for the poor in the nation’s capital. Safeway pledged quarterly donations to So Others Might Eat (SOME) at the 2007 Spouses’ Community Breakfast and Health Fair.

CBCF Welcomes 2008 Congressional Summer Interns to DC

CBCF has welcomed 43 undergraduates from across the country to its annual summer Congressional Internship Program. The program is the largest of its kind for students of color in the nation.

CBCF Celebrates HQ Building Purchase at Turkish Embassy Residence

CBCF marked a significant moment in its history: full and outright ownership of its headquarters. CBCF joins a select few African-American non-profit organizations to own their building in the District of Columbia. CBCF celebrated at the historic residence of the Turkish ambassador to the United States. “The acquisition of this new headquarters was indeed a landmark achievement for the organization,” said Rep. Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, the CBCF Board chairman.

CBCF Welcomes Four New Board of Directors Members

Reps. Brown and Meeks: Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) '08 Honorary Co-Chairs

U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, FL, and Gregory W. Meeks, NY, will co-chair the 38th ALC in Washington, September 24–27. They helped select this year's ALC theme, “Embracing the Promise, Realizing the Vision."

ALC ’08 Sponsorship Opportunities

CBCF Fellow Presents Issue New Markets Tax Credit Forum

CBCF's Congressional Fellowship Program 2008 series of public-policy forums continues with “NMTC Matters: Perspectives on the New Markets Tax Credit," 3 p.m., Thursday, April 10, Capitol Building Room HC-6. CBCF Fellow Renee Mayo, assigned to the Office of Rep. Al Green of Texas, is presenting the forum, where policymakers and practitioners will discuss the impact on community development.

CBCF, Health Braintrust to Focus On "Health Equity and Justice Now"

CBCF, the CBC Health Braintrust and the National Minority Quality Forum are collaborating on the Spring Health Braintrust and 5th Annual Health Disparities Leadership Summit, which is themed "Health Equity and Justice Now." The event is set for April 14 and 15, 2008, at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd Street, NW, Washington. Contact Britt Weinstock, senior health policy advisor, in the Office of Del. Donna M. Christensen (USVI).

Remembering Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 40 Years After His Death

CBCF President & CEO Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., reflects on the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy on the 40th anniversary of his death and the Foundation’s efforts to continue his good work. “There has been much progress in America since Dr. King’s untimely death – and yet our nation still has so far to go,” Dr. Scott said.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

CBCF President on MLK Holiday

CBCF President & CEO Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., was recently interviewed about "The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: How Did It Happen?" on WHUR-FM in Washington. Listen below to Dr. Scott on "The Daily Drum/Insight" segment hosted by Harold Fisher.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc