Our History

1970

African American lawmakers hold their first Annual Legislative Conference.

1971

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is established by 13 members of the 92nd United States Congress.

1976

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) founded as a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research and educational institute.

CBCF icon

1983

CBC members and their communities led the movement to make the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a federal holiday.

1986

CBCF launches its Internship Program to give future Black leaders an opportunity to work in public service.

1988

CBCF’s Scholarship Program begins providing financial assistance to gifted motivated students in CBC districts.

1992

Annual Mervyn L. & Stephanie Tubbs Jones Memorial Scholarship Classic is first held to raise money for the burgeoning Scholarship Program.

2002

CBCF purchases its four-story building on Washington, D.C.’s Embassy Row.

2006

CBCF’s Katrina Relief Fund donates more than $250,000 to rebuild Louisiana and Mississippi communities.

2006

The Avoice Virtual Library Project launched.

2008

Sen. Barack Obama becomes the first CBC member elected to the White House as President of the United States.

2009

Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI) is launched to educate the public on social justice issues related to HIV.

2010

The Spirit of Health Living initiative begins supporting faith-based education on Type-2 diabetes prevention and care.

2013

$4 million invested in African American owned banks to spur economic development in Black communities.

2014

China Study Abroad Program is created to provide international exploration to CBC students in member districts.

2014

Center for Analysis and Research (CPAR) is created to identify, analyze and disseminate policy-related information.

2014

CBCF launches Emerge 535 to place 535 African American interns on Capitol Hill.

2015

CBCF launches Policy Now, a virtual community engaged in public policy issues that impact Black communities.

2015

Executive Economic Summit Series created to address access to capital for African American-owned firms and other Minority Business Enterprises.

2016

CPAR launches environmental sustainability initiatives to analyze best practices and policy solutions that affect African Americans.

2018

CBCF releases first-ever multidisciplinary journal, the Journal of the Center for Policy Analysis and Research.

2020

Sen. Kamala Harris becomes the second CBC member elected to the White House as Vice-President of the United States.

2021

Swearing-in of the largest CBC membership in history with 57 members.