News

CBCF Announces New National Racial Equity Initiative Task Force for Social Justice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2022                                                        

Contacts
Kyla M. Clark
202.263.2812
media@cbcfinc.org

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) today announced its inaugural National Racial Equity Initiative (NREI) Task Force for Social Justice. The Task Force, comprised of a cohort of seven Ambassadors, includes leaders from academia, the corporate sector, influencers, and community activists. Ambassadors will serve in their role for two years, working alongside CBCF to advance the critical mission of NREI and empower action-driven change.  

CBCF launched NREI in 2020 in response to the protests of police killings of unarmed Black Americans and the historically unlevel playing field for minorities. NREI’s mission is to combat systemic injustice and advance racial equity, human rights, education, and economic development opportunities for the Black community. The Task Force will take this mission one step further by developing a program with NREI leadership, promoting civic engagement and activism, and utilizing its platform to mobilize young leaders and community members.  

“We are so proud to continue building on the work of NREI and introduce this inaugural cohort of Social Justice Ambassadors,” said CBCF president and chief executive officer Nicole Austin-Hillery. “Our ambassadors are not only leaders in their community, but they have a proven track record, passion, and commitment to challenging racial injustice and driving social justice reform.”

The NREI Task Force for Social Justice inaugural ambassadors are:

  • Erika Alexander, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Color Farm Media
  • LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter
  • Tamir D. Harper, Co-Founder, UrbEd Inc.
  • Principal Baruti Kafele, Education Consultant, Principal Kafele Consulting, LLC
  • Nupol Kiazolu, Founder, We Protect Us
  • Dr. Judy Lubin, President, Center for Urban and Racial Equity
  • Dr. Maurice Stinnett, Global Head of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Warner Music Group

“We welcome these new Ambassadors and believe their diverse experience fighting for racial justice will be crucial, not only in exposing the injustices Black communities face but in encouraging informed engagement in the policies our communities need to advance,” said CBCF NREI Director Olajumoke Obayanju. “We are thrilled to continue expanding the work of NREI and launch this exciting new chapter of our work.”

In addition to the Task Force, NREI offers social justice scholarships to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), social justice fellowships on Capitol Hill through the John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellowship Program, and advances research, data, and public policy related to social justice reform to make maximum impact in Black communities.

To learn more about the Task Force and NREI, visit www.cbcfinc.org/nrei/.

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