Awards were presented to Original Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Col. (Ret) Harry T. Stewart, Jr. and corporations who provide business leadership in the state of Michigan. (Photo by Monica Morgan/Tell Us USA News Network)

Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference swells since Obama White House

By Bill Proctor/Tell Us USA News Network

WASHINGTON DC (Tell Us DC) - Welcome to the sprawling Walter Washington Conference center in the Nations Capitol and the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference 2014. It’s where more than four decades of tradition is once again being played out for black people who want to be involved, informed, and to find a way to a better future for themselves and their families.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) hosted more than 10,000 attendees at its 44th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), from Sept. 24 – 27, 2014. ALC is the premier conference of its kind nationwide, offering more than 70 forums on public policy issues facing African Americans.

It’s difficult to judge what can really be accomplished in a setting like this, but it’s the true believers, elected, selected, and driven to find change for the better who come.

“It Starts with You” are the words on the cover page of the souvenir journal given to the thousands of ALC veterans who come here year after year, and young people anxious to grow into doers who influence positive lives and outcomes.

The elected leaders say there are more than 70 workshops over the four day event where passionate subject matter experts talk about the issues of the day, and where we must concentrate our efforts to address them.

The Michigan Congressional Black Caucus Host Committee presented the 2014 John Conyers Jr. Public Service Award to U.S. Rep. John Dingell, who has represented his Michigan district in Congress since 1955.


U.S. Congressman John Conyers and Southfield, MI mayor Brenda Lawrence attend the 2014 CBC Event. (Photo by Monica Morgan/Tell Us USA News Network)

Additional awards were presented to: U.S. Federal Judge Damon J. Keith; philanthropist Carol Goss; Original Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Col. (Ret) Harry T. Stewart, Jr. and corporations who provide business leadership in the state of Michigan.

Day one brought discussions on making the daily lives and health of African Americans more productive with technology, environmental justice, and what should be done to educate today's youth to close the race gap in unemployment.

“Bringing Diversity to the Boardroom” was one of many business related workshops on day two, where the popular Exhibit Showcase allowed African American business owners to present their products for sale to conference participants. African American Art, consumer products “just for us” and fashion for men and women were on display and
for sale.

But most of the many hours of workshop discussion were on serious subjects like police brutality and how getting more people to the poles can affect how police departments approach their jobs in minority communities.

Yes, there are after-glow parties and concerts that detractors point to. But participants say they leave the event energized to do more to make their lives better, and they vow to convince others that they are needed. They say its time for more of us to join in as catalysts for the actions needed address what we see, and feel, are issues ripe for change.