The Fellowship Experience

What’s the most enjoyable aspect about your fellowship?

“I really enjoyed my time in the office of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) for one main reason: there’s a very flat hierarchy – you get a lot of control and a lot of substantive experience early on. One of the things that I’m most proud of participating in is helping to organize a field hearing in Minnesota which brought Housing Sub-Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) all the way from California to discuss housing issues. We also had great witnesses and hope to move forward with their recommendations and legislative proposals that can hopefully improve the foreclosure situation across the country.”

What does the future hold?

“I have a several key passions: I’ve interned in the ways and means trade subcommittee; I have a long-standing dedication to housing and security; and I also am very interested in the environment. I had the opportunity to work on energy and environmental issues and their overlap and intersection with housing. I hope to continue in a legal or policy position pursuing environmental concerns and its intersection with housing and/or trade.”

Troy Ware, U.S. Marine and CBCF Congressional Fellow

Talk about your time as a CBCF Congressional Fellow

“I have greatly enjoyed the experience of meeting so many different people from so many different backgrounds, so many difference perspectives - that includes the fellows, the Hill staffers and the entire CBCF staff – Dr. Elsie Scott and Dr. Lynn Jennings, to name a couple. I’ve also been fortunate to work in two different offices – Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) and Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD). I’m a little bit more fortunate because I have the opportunity to stay in the program for an additional 3 months through the end of August 2010.”

Jerrica Mathis, CBCF Louis Stokes Urban Health Policy Fellow

Describe your duties as a CBCF Louis Stokes Urban Health Policy Fellow

“I was a 2009-20010 CBCF Louis Stokes Urban Health Policy Fellow in the office of Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI). My primary focus was promoting healthy living and the elimination of health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. My fellowship ran concurrent with the height of the health care reform debate. From the first day, I hit the ground moving by zeroing in on provisions that focused on improving minority health while simultaneously briefing CBC members on those same provisions. Before and after the bill’s passage, I also worked to inform people on the benefits of reform and how they will be affected.”

How has knowledge of health care reform changed?

“There could always be more awareness on what’s in the bill and how it can affect people. There are a lot of sites where information is available – the user can input age, health status, etc. and you can easily find out how the bill affects you. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fantastic step in the right direction.”

What are your long-term plans?

“I’ve been hit by the policy bug, specifically program public health work. I have a definite interest in policy and how it works from beginning to end - how congress works, how the Hill works, how health policy works.”

Advice to next year’s class?

“Be prepared to hit the ground running. Be open minded. Be cognizant of the great opportunity that you have and take as much advantage as you can while you are on Capitol Hill. Meet as many people as you can, learn everything you can, absorb the entire experience. It’s going to be so beneficial to you.”