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September 6-9, 2006 - Members of the Congressional Black Caucus
(CBC) convened on Washington, D.C. for its Annual Legislative Conference that included
four extraordinarily powerful days of educational and informative forums, ideas, and discussions that focused on the betterment
of the African American community.
The CBC was established in 1976 as a research institute geared toward offering
emerging young leaders policy-based education through its collaboration with businesses, communities, universities, and minority-focused
organizations. The theme of this year's conference, "Changing Course, Confronting Crises, Continuing
the Legacy", is indicative of the organization's thirty-year history of commitment, hard work, and dedication
to ensure the effectiveness of government policy and legislation.
This year's Annual Legislative Conference began with a Welcome Ceremony
that included its key note address being given by the Reverend, Al Sharpton who challenged all to ask ourselves,
"What can I do to change today's crisis?". Reverend Sharpton encouraged the audience to be like the
civil rights activists of yester years who, in spite of having limited resources to do so, made a huge impact on society and
managed to change much.
Following the Welcome Ceremony was the Celebration of Leadership Awards
for the performing and visual arts. This year's honorees included artist and master sculptor, Ms. Elizabeth Catlett; artist Simmie Knox ; and former NBA star, Grant Hill for his art exhibit, "Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art".
The week-long event included daily forums and brain trusts focusing on
topics such as: advancing the economic conditions of working families; rebuilding the Gulf Coast regions after Hurricane Katrina,
education, business, wealth building, health, youth, Hip Hop, women and men's issues; and the state of Africa in the
21st century. The forums were moderated and paneled by many of the nation's prominent African American lecturers, authors,
educators, business leaders, and politicians such as Dr. Jawanza Conjufu, former BET news anchor, Ed Gordon; Dr. Ron Walters, Senator Barack Obama, Representative Maxine Waters, and others.
A few in the television and entertainment industries participated in this
year's conference, the likes of which included Oscar winner, Jamie Foxx; actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph; actors Isaiah Washington,
and Blair Underwood (the voice of Jesus in the upcoming project, The Bible Experience); as well as Randall Pinkett; this year's winner of Donald Trump's The Apprentice, along with
the show's third season participant, Tara Dowdell.
An exhibition area included health-screenings (facilitated by Howard University Hospital); an African American authors' and book pavilion; a NASA exhibition featuring
astronaut, Stephanie Wilson; an African American art showcase, and a host of businesses and services.
The conference would conclude with a Prayer Breakfast that would introduce
the CBC Members and Board of Directors, followed by musical performances by the amazing Tramaine Hawkins, and the incomparable
Edwin Hawkins, respectively.
By far, and quite possibly, the most anticipated voice of the prayer breakfast
was that of keynote speaker, Bishop Vashti McKenzie; the first woman in the 200-year history of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church to hold such an honorable and prestigious office.
Bishop McKenzie's message, titled "Which One of You?", championed the cry
for effective, strong, and self-less leadership in our communities, government, families, and churches.
Following an end to the events, forums, and celebrations was the annual
Awards Dinner and presentation of the distinguished 'Phoenix Award' - awarded to those who "symbolize the immortality of the
human spirit", and to those who have made significant contributions to society. The award was patterned after
North Carolina Representative, George Henry White's 1901 Farewell Address to Congress. The 2006 recipients included Harvard Law School Professor, Dr. Charles Ogletree; Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick; Tuskegee Airman, Roscoe Brown; and Kim Bondy, CNN Executive Producer.
For the webcast of this year's Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional
Black Caucus, click here.
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