CBC
The Birth of the CBC
In January 1969, newly elected African American representatives of the 77th Congress joined six incumbents to form the “Democratic Select Committee.”
The Committee was renamed the Congressional Black Caucus and the CBC was born in 1971. Its founding members were Rep. Shirley Chisholm of New York, William Clay of Missouri, George Collins of Illinois, John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, Ronald Dellums of California, Charles Diggs of Michigan, Augustus Hawkins of California, Ralph Metcalfe of Illinois, Parren Mitchell of Maryland, Robert Nix of Pennsylvania, Charles Rangel of New York, Louis Stokes of Ohio, and Delegate Walter Fauntroy of the District of Columbia. Rep. Diggs served as the CBC’s first chairman.
Their goals were to positively influence the course of events pertinent to African Americans and others of similar experience and situation, and to achieve greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services. While the CBC has been primarily focused on the concerns of African Americans, the Caucus has also been at the forefront of legislative campaigns for human and civil rights for all citizens.
The Congressional Black Caucus Today
Currently, there are 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The CBC’s members are advocates for the human family nationally and internationally and have played a significant role as local and regional activists as well. They continue to work diligently to be the “Conscience of the Congress,” but because all politics are ultimately local, they also provide dedicated and focused service to the citizens and Congressional districts that have elected them.
The vision of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus – to “promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens” – continues to be a beacon and focal point for the legislative work and political activities of the Congressional Black Caucus today.
