You might call them supporting partners.

You might describe them as community champions, campaign surrogates, life-balancers, or quiet strategists.

But for nearly five decades, the spouses of members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have been something far greater:

Collaborators. Conveners. Catalysts for change. And always — partners in purpose.

Behind some of the nation’s most influential Black lawmakers stands a network of dedicated leaders in their own right — individuals who have transformed partnership into public service and proximity into power for good.

Who Are the CBC Spouses?

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Spouses are the wives and husbands of Black members of the United States Congress who serve in the Congressional Black Caucus. Today, the organization includes 34 spouses — nearly half of whom are men — reflecting the evolving and dynamic face of partnership in public life.

Established in 1976 as a component of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the CBC Spouses organization advances the Foundation’s mission to inform public policy, educate the public, and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

What began as a supportive network has grown into a strategic and philanthropic force — one deeply aligned with CBCF’s commitment to leadership development and educational equity.

Their work has been highlighted nationally, including in the Washington Informer’s 2024 feature on the CBC Spouses, which captures both their history and their continued impact:

And…They Do What?

The short answer?

They build opportunity.

They open doors that were once closed.

They invest in futures.

From the earliest days, CBC Spouses recognized a troubling reality, Black students were navigating inequitable education systems while federal investments in education were shrinking. Rather than stand on the sidelines, they stepped forward.

Their advocacy helped lay the groundwork for CBCF’s now nationally recognized internship and fellowship programs — initiatives that have shaped thousands of leaders serving in government, business, nonprofit organizations, media, and advocacy spaces across the country.

In 1988, the CBC Spouses established their first education scholarship program. Since then, they have awarded more than $12 million in scholarships, supporting almost three generations of students nationwide. For many recipients, a CBC Spouses scholarship represents not just financial assistance but validation, visibility, and belief. Their presence has been felt in the halls of Congress, in classrooms and libraries, and in communities throughout America.

The impact of the CBC Spouses extends well beyond scholarship awards. They are deeply involved in the work year-round.

• They serve as reviewers and mentors for the CBC Spouses Essay Contest, encouraging young scholars to think critically about public policy and civic leadership.
  • 2025 Spouses Essay Contest Video
  • 2024 Spouses Essay Contest Video
• They power signature fundraising efforts like the Mervyn L. and Stephanie Tubbs Jones Scholarship Classic, generating critical resources that expand access to higher education.
• They show up — consistently — at CBCF’s Annual Legislative Conference Community Breakfast and Health Fair, helping expand outreach to families and underserved communities while connecting policy conversations to lived experience.

In visible and invisible ways, they strengthen the ecosystem that sustains leadership development. They serve as ambassadors of mission, connectors of community, and champions for equity.

And they do so not for recognition but for results.

As the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation commemorates its 50th anniversary under the theme Rooted. Ready. Rising., we honor the spouses who have provided a cornerstone of our structure and mission.

Rooted in service.

Ready to respond to community needs.

Rising to meet each new generation with opportunity.

For nearly half a century, CBC Spouses have proven that partnership in public life can be a powerful platform for progress.

Their story is not just one of support.

It is a story of strategy, stewardship, and sustained impact.

And it is still being written.

The post Rooted in Service. Ready to Engage. Rising in Impact. appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

As we enter 2026, the Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) is tracking five key areas—healthcare, immigration, technology, voting rights, and the workforce—where recent legislation, executive actions, and court rulings will have lasting impacts on Black life, economic security, and civic participation. Read below and stay tuned for CPAR’s latest research all year long.

Healthcare

• In July 2025, President Trump signed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, into law—the largest cut to Medicaid in the program’s history. Black Americans, who make up over 20% of Medicaid recipients, are disproportionately affected. Coverage changes will take effect this November and will create devastating gaps for the most vulnerable Americans.
• H.R. 1 also mandates an 80-hour per month work requirement for Medicaid recipientsages 19-64 under state expansions. With limited access to transportation, many will face new barriers to coverage. While mandatory in 2027, states can begin implementation effective immediately.
• The lack of healthcare coverage will not only impact low-income Black Americans. The expiration of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits on December 31, 2025 leaves an estimated 20 million Americans with higher healthcare costs.

Immigration

• The Trump Administration’s immigration policies have stoked fear in immigrant communities through increased surveillance and policing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in schools, healthcare facilities, and neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland have targeted undocumented immigrants based on skin color. ICE officials have also wrongfully detained several US citizens in the pursuit of these orders.
• On February 3, 2026, Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals is set to end, putting over 300,000 people at risk of arrest or deportation. President Trump has also targeted Somali communities in Minnesota, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, a first-generation Somali immigrant.
• The Supreme Court is now reviewing the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, the long-standing constitutional principle that guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil. The decision could narrow the scope of the 14th Amendment, with implications extending beyond immigration policy.

Technology

• Artificial intelligence (AI) was a top issue in 2025. The Trump Administration declared a “golden age of AI,” pushing for the expansion of AI data centers and encouraging innovation over safety and equity. In December, President Trump issued an executive order preventing states from enacting stricter AI regulations.
• Left unchecked, AI can worsen online racial discrimination and mental health challenges for Black youth. AI data centers also drive up energy costs and have been linked to respiratory illnesses and cancer, particularly in predominantly Black communities. Algorithmic bias can further block access to jobs and home loans.
• In order to mitigate these efforts, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Yvette D. Clarke recently introduced the AI Civil Rights Act, to hold tech companies accountable for harm caused by their AI tools.

Voting Rights

• In August 2025, Texas began an unprecedented effort to redraw its electoral maps five years ahead of the 2030 Census. Activists sued, arguing that the maps dilute the votes of minorities, but the US Supreme Court allowed Republican legislators in Texas to implement the new map. In response, over a dozen states across the country are considering revising their maps ahead of the November 2026 election, potentially changing ballots and polling locations.
• President Trump, a vocal opponent of mail-in voting, is reportedly preparing an executive order to restrict eligibility. The CBCF’s Voting Rights Scorecard has information on voting laws, including mail-in voting, in 15 key states to help Black communities stay informed and prepared to vote on November 3, 2026.
• The 2026 midterms will carry significant implications for Black communities, as thin Republican majorities in the House and Senate could shift. If Democrats regain the House, Congressional Black Caucus Member and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is likely to become the first Black Speaker of the House.

Workforce

• Federal reductions in force, the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and the rapid expansion of AI automation are reshaping the labor market and hitting Black workers the hardest. Last year, over 200,000 civil-service employees separated from the federal government, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
• In 2023, Black Americans made up 18% of the federal workforce, and the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI policies have eliminated positions and halted the recruitment efforts that build a more diverse civil service. Similar rollbacks are now occurring in the private sector and in higher education, as institutions defund programs that support marginalized workers and students while courts consider the legality of these actions.
• Black Americans are overrepresented in service and manufacturing industries. By embracing AI automation in factories and call centers, corporations are eliminating job opportunities for people of color. In 2026, the Black unemployment rate reached 7.5%, the highest level since October 2021 and more than 300,000 Black women left the workforce in the first half of 2025. As tariffs and inflation drive up costs, job stability and financial security are increasingly critical for Black families navigating economic uncertainty.

We will be closely monitoring pending litigation, proposed legislation, and executive orders on these issues, as well as other policy developments affecting Black communities, throughout the year. New research on the impact of federal layoffs on Black Americans in the DC metro area and the transportation challenges posed by the new Medicaid work requirements is forthcoming. Visit our Publications page to read the latest CPAR research.

The post Five Key Policy Issues for Black Americans in 2026 appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Since its start in 2020, the National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI), created by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), has been on a  mission to advance equality and drive lasting change. Centering the interconnected relationships between a number of policy areas, NREI has created programming that brings together the public, policymakers, and community stakeholders nationwide to drive progress toward social justice. To mark its fifth anniversary, NREI convened in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 1 for a special gathering with Congressman Troy Carter.

New Orleans is known as a culturally rich and vibrant city, celebrated for its deep musical heritage, distinctive cuisine, and historic architecture. Beneath its beauty lies a complex history shaped by struggle. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the social and structural inequities that the disaster laid bare, including barriers to voting, disproportionate damage in Black neighborhoods, and long-term impacts on residents’ mental health. This anniversary also offers a poignant moment to reflect on the city’s capacity for recovery and resilience. Beyond the tragedy, New Orleans is widely admired for its resilience and deep sense of community. That same spirit of resilience and community shaped the conversations that unfolded during this year’s NREI Summit, which focused on two deeply connected policy areas — criminal justice and education.

Schools serve as a critical entry point into opportunity, but for many students, schools are an entry point into the criminal justice system. CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis & Research (CPAR) released a 2023 report “Decriminalizing School Misbehavior: Alternatives to School Referrals and Arrests,” which found that Black and other marginalized students are disproportionately subjected to exclusionary discipline and school-based arrests for behaviors that could be addressed within schools. These findings underscore how early criminalization in education feeds into the larger prison industrial complex—revealing that to truly address mass incarceration, we must begin by transforming the systems that shape young people’s earliest experiences of discipline and justice.

The Summit began with a powerful Fireside Chat between Congressman Troy Carter and CBCF President & CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery, exploring the realities of the prison workforce and the urgent need for reform rooted in human dignity and economic justice. Session 1, From Classroom to Cellblock: Unpacking the Pipeline to Prison Labor, took a deeper look at how school discipline practices and systemic inequities push Black youth from classrooms into incarceration — fueling a cycle of racialized labor exploitation. The conversation challenged participants to reimagine both education and justice through equitable, community-driven reform. Rounding out the day, Session 2, Voices of New Orleans: A Conversation on Local Issues, centered community perspectives through a participatory dialogue on the city’s most pressing challenges — from housing and safety to economic opportunity and resilience — highlighting the power of collective voice in shaping a more inclusive future. The Summit also featured interactive breakout sessions, including select interviews from the Visiting Room Project, offering a rare and humanizing opportunity to hear directly from incarcerated individuals about their experiences. The sessions amplified the voices of those too often silenced, and an unflinching examination of systems that demand change and a vision for how research, policy, and community can unite to drive it. As NREI turns five, this year’s Summit reminded us that progress is both a reflection and a responsibility — to challenge inequities, champion unheard voices, and continue shaping a future grounded in true justice.

The post The 2025 NREI Summit: Advancing Justice and Equity in New Orleans appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

As we approach another pivotal election year, it’s critical that we not only cast our ballots but also ensure our families, friends, and neighbors are registered, informed, and ready to vote. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) remains committed to empowering Black voters with the tools and knowledge needed to participate fully in our democracy.

While presidential elections often capture the headlines, state and local elections frequently have the most immediate impact on our communities. Governors, mayors, state legislators, judges, and school board members all make decisions that shape our neighborhoods, schools, and access to essential resources.

In 2025 and 2026, voters in states across the country will head to the polls to elect leaders who will shape state budgets, set healthcare policies, influence criminal justice systems, oversee voting access, and decide local education priorities. These decisions matter deeply to Black families, entrepreneurs, students, and elderly people alike. Every office on the ballot represents an opportunity to advocate for equity, accountability, and progress.

Across the nation, several key states will hold elections that could have lasting effects on issues that impact Black communities.

• Virginia and New Jersey will hold legislative elections that may determine control of their state assemblies. In both states, Black voter turnout has historically influenced outcomes on issues like affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and access to quality healthcare.

• Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi will vote for governors and other statewide offices that will set agendas for economic development, education, and health equity.

• Local elections in cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Philadelphia will shape leadership in urban centers with large Black populations. These local offices decide everything from policing practices to community development projects.

While the political landscape differs from state to state, one constant remains: when Black communities vote, we make a difference.

In today’s landscape, it’s vital to rely on trusted, nonpartisan resources for election information. One of the most comprehensive tools available is Vote411.org, a resource created by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Vote411 provides personalized election information, including:

• Registration deadlines and procedures by state.
• Details on local, state, and national races.
• Early voting and absentee ballot information.
• Polling place locations and hours.
• Explanations of ballot initiatives and referenda.

Whether you’re voting in a major city or a rural county, Vote411 helps ensure you have the facts you need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

Voting is one piece of the larger picture of civic engagement. True empowerment comes from sustained participation—in community meetings, advocacy campaigns, and public service. Each of us has a role to play in shaping a future that reflects our collective priorities and values.

At CBCF, our mission has always been rooted in advancing the global Black community through leadership development, research, and public policy. Promoting civic participation is central to that mission. Through our research initiatives, and leadership programs, we are equipping emerging leaders and everyday citizens alike to engage meaningfully in the democratic process.

As we look toward the next election cycle, we encourage everyone to use their voices, their influence, and their votes to advance equity and opportunity for all.

The post Empowering Our Communities: Why the Upcoming Elections Matter appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

For generations, Black Americans have been locked out of wealth-building opportunities by discriminatory housing, lending, and labor policies. While policymakers have worked to address the racial wealth gap, Black communities still have lower rates of homeownership and less retirement savings than their white peers. Today, as new technologies reshape our financial system, cryptocurrency has emerged as a beacon of possibility. About one in four Black Americans now own cryptocurrency, with younger generations especially drawn to its promise of bypassing traditional financial gatekeepers. For many who have experienced housing discrimination, loan denials, and biased banking practices, the appeal of a decentralized, user-driven system is clear: a chance to build wealth without asking permission from institutions that have too often said “no.” 

Yet this optimism exists alongside real risks. Cryptocurrency operates outside the safety nets of consumer protections, insurance, or federal oversight. When the popular cryptocurrency company FTX infamously collapsed in 2022, customers, including Black investors, lost their funding with no recourse. With celebrities, entrepreneurs, and even a sitting president promoting digital assets, the stakes are higher than ever. Without stronger guardrails, the very communities seeking financial empowerment may end up bearing the heaviest losses. Federal policy is lagging behind this fast-moving frontier. There is even disagreement among agencies as to whether crypto is a commodity, a security, or something else entirely. This lack of clarity makes meaningful regulation difficult, and it leaves families vulnerable to scams and market volatility. Meanwhile, federal resources that once helped Black entrepreneurs, like the Minority Business Development Agency, have been gutted. Instead of giving Black communities more tools to build sustainable wealth, this administration is leaving them to navigate the Wild West of digital finance alone. 

The path forward requires both protection and possibility. Congress should adopt a uniform definition of cryptocurrency, enact stronger laws against blockchain-enabled fraud, and require major crypto firms to insure consumer assets. Equally important, we need public investment in financial literacy and resources that empower Black Americans to make informed choices about where to put their money. Innovation does not have to come at the expense of equity. Cryptocurrency will not close the racial wealth gap on its own. But if paired with bold policies that strengthen fair housing, expand access to capital, and ensure consumer protections, it can be one tool among many to build a more equitable economy. The question is whether politicians will let new technologies replicate the old inequities or whether they will seize the chance to chart a different future. 

That’s the conversation we are taking up at the 2025 Policy for the People Economic Advancement Virtual Summit hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. In our final session, we will explore the policies that can unlock Black prosperity, from tax reform to homeownership to entrepreneurship in a digital age. 

Join us on October 30 to be part of this urgent dialogue. Register today and help us build the future Black America deserves. 

Read our cryptocurrency explainer, Financing Black Futures: Cryptocurrency and the Racial Wealth Gap, here: https://issuu.com/congressionalblackcaucusfoundation/docs/financing_black_futures_crypto_and_the_racial_wea?fr=sNDhiMjgzNzg4MzA  

Read our resource list for the session here: https://issuu.com/congressionalblackcaucusfoundation/docs/resource_guide_-_financing_black_futures_investin?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw 

The post Crypto, Black Wealth, and the Future of Equity: A Preview of CBCF’s Economic Advancement Summit appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

As the federal government shutdown continues, the ripple effects are being felt across communities already bearing the brunt of economic instability. For many Black families, the shutdown is not just a temporary inconvenience; it is another stark reminder of the fragility of economic security in a system where opportunity is not equally distributed. Against this backdrop, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is calling the nation’s attention to what is at stake, and what must be done.

Building Black Wealth: Policy Pathways to Economic Opportunity and Advancement is the latest installment in CBCF’s Policy for the People series. Hosted by CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR), this virtual summit will gather some of the nation’s most forward-thinking policymakers, economists, advocates, and entrepreneurs for an urgent conversation about how we move from awareness to action in closing the racial wealth gap.

Rooted in the findings of Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America, a joint initiative between CBCF and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, this three-part virtual series builds on a shared vision: creating sustainable, long-term pathways for Black economic advancement. Each session will spotlight actionable policy solutions that can help families and communities weather economic uncertainty and secure lasting financial well-being. At its core, this virtual summit is both a continuation of this policy work and a rallying call for bold action.

When we think of the racial wealth gap in the United States, we must see it as a defining measure of how policy decisions shape lives. From inequities in the federal tax code and discriminatory housing practices to limited access to business capital, the systems meant to create opportunity often deepen the divide. Our virtual summit will explore three areas where targeted policy reforms can begin to change this trajectory: reimagining tax policy to promote wealth equity, expanding access to homeownership, and concrete investment in Black entrepreneurship.

Tax policy is a powerful lever for shaping opportunity, yet the current code too often limits it. More than half of all Black children are excluded from the full benefits of the Child Tax Credit, while Black taxpayers are disproportionately audited and less likely to benefit from employer-based retirement plans. As Congress debates the future of the nation’s fiscal priorities amid a shutdown, this conversation could not be more urgent. Equity-centered tax reform is not only about fairness, it’s about giving every American family a genuine chance to build wealth and security across generations.

Housing remains another cornerstone of prosperity. For decades, Black households have faced systemic barriers to homeownership through redlining, biased appraisals, and exclusionary zoning. These practices have left lasting scars that continue to limit wealth accumulation. But with intentional, equity-driven federal policy, housing can shift from being a barrier to being a bridge connecting families to stability, opportunity, and legacy.

Entrepreneurship, too, holds transformative potential. Black-owned businesses contribute billions to the economy each year, yet barriers to capital access persist. Recent funding cuts to programs like the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) threaten to stifle progress just as new generations of Black entrepreneurs are emerging in the digital economy. The Summit will spotlight how innovative policy design, public-private partnerships, and emerging technologies can help dismantle these barriers and open doors to sustained growth.

The conversations taking place during CBCF’s Policy for the People Economic Advancement Virtual Summit are not theoretical; they are essential to shaping an equitable future. At a time when millions of Americans face uncertainty due to the federal shutdown, policies must not only respond to crises but also build resilience that endures beyond them. The wealth gap did not appear overnight, and it will not disappear without deliberate, coordinated, and sustained action.

CBCF’s mission has always been rooted in advancing the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. This virtual summit embodies that mission in real time, bringing together those who can shape the policies that will define the next generation of Black prosperity.

Join CBCF and a distinguished group of experts for the 2025 Policy for the People Economic Advancement Virtual Summit. Together, we can move from awareness to action, from vision to victory.

Register today at cbcfinc.org/events

The post CBCF’s 2025 Policy for the People Economic Advancement Virtual Summit Convenes Experts to Reimagine Black Wealth appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

The Program

This groundbreaking initiative offers full scholarship funding for two exceptional alumni of the CBCF Leadership Institute to pursue master’s degrees at Oxford. The scholars will not only immerse themselves in rigorous academic study but also contribute to practical policy development through the publication of issue briefs on pressing foreign policy and national security topics.

The goal is clear: to cultivate emerging Black political leaders with a global perspective, while diversifying the national security and foreign policy pipeline. By engaging with Oxford’s rich academic environment and the historic Magdalen College, this program underscores CBCF’s commitment to equity, excellence, and global leadership.

Meet the Scholars

The inaugural scholars, Emerald Garrett and Seth Washington, selected for the CBCF–Oxford program embody resilience, vision, and purpose. Both bring with them deeply personal stories of growth, gratitude, and a determination to ensure that they are not the last to walk through these historic doors.

Seth described the honor of being selected as “an immense responsibility to ensure that I am not the last.” For him, acceptance into the program is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a greater responsibility. “With this enriching experience and opportunity provided by CBCF, there is much expected of me to perform at my highest ability. It is my privilege to not only give my best, but go above and beyond to extend the knowledge I obtained at Oxford to give it back and pay it forward to the community at large that made me who I am.”

Along the way, CBCF mentors showed up not only as professional guides but as family. A small but profound moment for Seth still stands out: being warmly embraced by CBCF’s Senior Vice President, Ms. Donna Fisher-Lewis, in the middle of his interview. “This display of concern, care, and love behind the scenes is what CBCF is really about,” he reflected. “It’s an extended family.”

For Emerald, this opportunity is nothing short of a full-circle moment. She recalls her start as an Emerging Leader Walmart Intern in 2017, when the Foundation helped her refine her professional presence and make the pivotal connections that launched her career on Capitol Hill. That experience laid the groundwork for years of service in House leadership and policy—experience that has now led her to Oxford.

“On a big-picture level, being the first CBCF alumna to complete this process is both indescribably exciting and humbling,” she shared. “It means a global recognition of the caliber of professionals and scholars that the CBCF produces. Completing this process signifies my responsibility to throw open the doors behind me for countless other CBCF alumni to continue in this pipeline.”

What excites her most about the Oxford experience is not only the academic rigor of the Diplomatic Studies Program but also the opportunity to collaborate with classmates who are mid-career diplomats and global leaders in their own right. She looks forward to contributing her insights on congressional leadership’s role in U.S. foreign policy, while also learning from her peers’ diverse international experiences.

Looking Ahead

Both scholars see Oxford as a launchpad for transformative growth—professionally and personally. They spoke of embracing new cultures, exchanging ideas with global peers, and stretching beyond their limits.

“I believe this program will unlock and create new levels of opportunity that I would not have otherwise earned,” Seth shared. “This journey and experience are bigger than me—it is for the future generation of leaders.”

Emerald added “My hope after completing the program is to serve as a Foreign Service Officer. The training and reputation of Oxford will open doors, but more importantly, I hope to reinvest what I’ve learned into others coming up after me. That is one of the primary ways I enjoy serving a purpose much larger than myself.”

A Legacy in Motion

The CBCF–Oxford partnership is more than an academic exchange—it is a testament to the Foundation’s enduring mission to empower, equip, and elevate Black leaders on the world stage. By opening pathways into foreign policy and national security, CBCF is not only advancing equity but reshaping the future of global leadership.

As the first cohort embarks on this historic journey, their words serve as both a promise and a challenge: to seize every opportunity, to give back, and to ensure that the doors they walk through remain open for generations of leaders to come.

The post Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: The CBCF–Oxford Partnership appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

The Innovation Leader Scholarship will provide financial assistance to five outstanding rising sophomore, junior, and senior students pursuing degrees in engineering or computer science. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled at an ABET-accredited college of engineering that is part of the Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE) network. Eligible institutions include: 

• Alabama A&M University
• Benedict College
• Central State University
• Florida A&M University
• Hampton University
• Howard University
• Jackson State University
• Morgan State University
• Norfolk State University
• North Carolina A&T University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Southern University A&M
• Tennessee State University
• Texas Southern University
• Tuskegee University
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• University of the District of Columbia
• Virginia State University

This initiative reflects CBCF’s commitment to expanding access to opportunities for underrepresented students in the STEM fields. By investing in the next generation of engineers and computer scientists, CBCF is fostering a pipeline of Black talent ready to lead and innovate in the technology industry.

As a CBCF-led initiative, this scholarship program aims to advance equity in education and provide pathways to career success for students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs). Applications for the Innovation Leader Scholarship opened on February 3, 2025, and recipients will be notified in May 2025. 

To learn more about the scholarship program and eligibility criteria, please visit cbcfinc.org/scholarships. 

The post CBCF Launches New Innovation Leader Scholarship for Students Pursuing Careers in Engineering and Computer Science appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

As we celebrate Black History Month, I am honored to share an exciting milestone in our mission to preserve and amplify Black legislative history—the rebrand and relaunch of AVOICE: A Digital Archive of Black Legislative History, proudly supported by Dell Technologies.

For years, AVOICE has served as a critical digital resource, documenting the profound impact of Black lawmakers in shaping American democracy. Now, with a sleek new look, enhanced functionality, and expanded historical content, we’re making it even easier to explore, learn, and engage with this rich legacy.

Why AVOICE Matters More Than Ever

Black legislators have played an essential role in driving policies that shape our nation—from civil rights and voting protections to economic equity and social justice. However, their stories are often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. AVOICE ensures these contributions remain visible, accessible, and celebrated.

The platform is a dynamic educational tool for students, educators, researchers, and policymakers, offering deep insight into the challenges and victories that have defined Black political leadership.

What’s New in AVOICE?

With support from Dell Technologies, we’ve reimagined AVOICE to offer:

A modernized, user-friendly interface for seamless exploration

Improved search and navigation to easily access historical records and legislative milestones

Expanded archives and exhibits highlighting Black lawmakers’ impact on key policies

This transformation strengthens AVOICE’s role as the go-to digital archive for those seeking to understand, honor, and continue the legacy of Black political leadership.

Discover the New AVOICE

As we reflect on our past and continue shaping our future, I invite you to explore the rebranded AVOICE platform and immerse yourself in the stories, policies, and impact of Black legislators.

Visit AVOICE today

We are deeply grateful to Dell Technologies for their partnership in this rebranding effort. Together, we are ensuring that Black history isn’t just preserved, it’s elevated and made accessible for generations to come.

This Black History Month, take a moment to engage with the voices that have driven change and progress. Because Black history isn’t just something we reflect on—it’s something we build upon, every day.

The post A New Chapter for AVOICE: Celebrating Black History with a Bold, Modernized Archive appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

In September, the Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) launched an original research project, surveying Black attendees at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53^rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) about their top concerns for the 2024 election. As the 2024 election intensified, Black voters were fully engaged and offered considered perspectives on the issues that matter the most to them. Our report, Amplifying Black Perspectives: Insights from the 2024 Pre-Election Survey, offers a snapshot of the views and priorities that shaped how Black Americans voted in a pivotal election year.

Our respondents were united on several important topics. One hundred percent of respondents said that education and criminal justice were key issues for Black Americans – issues that were not highlighted during the Presidential campaign. Respondents also expressed deep concern about election safety, technology’s role in the democratic process, and political violence. These concerns extend beyond a single election cycle and are part of ongoing conversations about democracy and Black voter empowerment.

We found that election enthusiasm was another point of consensus. When asked their opinion on the election, respondents voiced overwhelming support for former Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential bid. In fact, many expressed far more enthusiasm for the election just six weeks after she entered the race than they did prior to her candidacy. Our findings challenge the narrative that Black men had an unfavorable view of Harris, as nearly 90% of Black men surveyed expressed enthusiasm about Harris.

We also found a diversity of opinions within our sample, often along the lines of age, gender, and sexual orientation. Gen Z respondents were more concerned about climate change than older generations, and male respondents were slightly less concerned about reproductive rights than female respondents. In our regional comparison, we found that Southern respondents were more concerned about voter suppression efforts at the polls than respondents in other states. Our results show the multifaceted nature of Black communities. Read the full report for more nuanced discussions about Black America. 

This report offers essential context for understanding the political climate leading into the 2024 election and sets the stage for analyzing the evolution of Black opinions after the vote. In March, we will release our second report, Amplifying Black Perspectives: Insights from the 2024 Post-Election Survey, which will reveal how Black Americans’ concerns changed following President Donald Trump’s electoral victory. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive an update about the post-election report.  

The post The Foundation for Change: What Our Election Report Tells Us About Black America’s Priorities appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.