Media Contact
Yolanda Raine
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
202-809-2011
media@cbcfinc.org

Statement from Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, on the five-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd:

“Today marks another solemn anniversary of the murder of George Floyd — a moment that galvanized a global movement for racial justice, police accountability, and long-overdue systemic reform in our country.

George Floyd’s life mattered. And at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), we remain committed to ensuring that his legacy lives on through meaningful action. In the wake of his death, CBCF established the National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice — a dynamic and urgent initiative designed to equip leaders, institutions, and communities with the tools to dismantle systemic racism and build a more equitable future. The Institute stands as both a tribute to his memory and a vehicle for the change so many have called for.

Our mission at CBCF — to advance the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public — continues to be our driving force. We know that justice must be pursued in every corridor of power, and our work is centered on that pursuit each and every day.

That mission has taken on renewed urgency following the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent decision to curtail federal oversight of police departments in cities like Minneapolis and Louisville — cities forever marked by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. These moves risk halting meaningful progress toward accountability and reform in the very communities where change is most needed.

The road to justice is long, and the struggle is far from over. But we at CBCF will not waver. We will continue to prepare the next generation of Black leaders, convene critical conversations, and advance solutions rooted in equity and accountability.

Today, we remember George Floyd. Tomorrow, and every day thereafter, we recommit ourselves to the fight for equity and justice — until the promises of America are real for all.”

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About the CBCF

Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org. As a 501(c)(3), the CBCF takes no position on legislation or regulatory matters before Congress or any other government agency.

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Media contact:
Yolanda Raine
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
202-809-2011
media@cbcfinc.org

“The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) solemnly recognizes the third anniversary of the tragic and untimely death of George Floyd. On this day, we honor the memory of George Floyd, whose life was cut short on May 25, 2020, as a result of police brutality and racial injustice. As an organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Black communities, we continue to stand against systemic racism and violence in all its forms.

The death of George Floyd serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues plaguing our nation. His murder ignited a global movement and shined a spotlight on the urgent need for comprehensive police reform, accountability, and meaningful change within our criminal justice system. It underscored the urgent and ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice that Black communities have faced for generations.

We commend the activists, organizers, and communities who have tirelessly fought for justice and equality since George Floyd’s death. We recognize the strength and resilience of the Black community and its allies, who continue to push for meaningful reforms and demand an end to the violence and discrimination faced by Black Americans daily.

As the CBCF, we remain committed to advocating for change and pushing for comprehensive police reform at the federal, state, and local levels. We support legislation that addresses police misconduct, promotes accountability, and works toward rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

On this solemn anniversary, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of George Floyd, whose pain and loss we can never fully comprehend.

Together, let us work towards a future where every individual, regardless of their race or background, can live free from fear, discrimination, and violence. We must turn the collective pain and anger into meaningful change, ensuring the legacy of George Floyd inspires us to build a better and more inclusive America.”

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ABOUT CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.

The post Statement from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation on the Third Anniversary of the Death of George Floyd appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

George Floyd should still be alive.

Until we become radically honest with the callousness of policing in the United States, we will never reach justice. Until we call out the implicit hatred and dispassion towards Black bodies and lives in America, we will never achieve equity.

Just three years ago, the video of George Floyd’s murder spread nationwide, spurring an uprising for racial justice. As we honor George Floyd’s memory today, we must stop to observe what progress we have made.

On April 20, 2021, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges against him for the murder of George Floyd and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison. It was one of the few times that the actions of a police officer met accountability. Historically, charges against officers who employ excessive force are rare, and convictions of severe charges are even rarer. While Chauvin’s verdict invoked a sense of progress and confidence in justice, lest not forget that days before the judgment, a police officer shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in Minnesota. And on the same day of the verdict decision, Ma’Khia Bryant, a 16-year-old girl, was fatally shot by an Ohio police officer.

“To protect and to serve.”

The number of fatal police shootings has risen over the years. Police killed 1,096 people in 2022—the highest number of people on record. In D.C. alone, police have killed two people this year, including a 17-year-old Black teen. Despite comprising only 13% of the country, Black people face 21% of police contact and 33% of those behind bars. Even more disturbing—but not surprising—is that Black Americans are killed at a much higher rate than whites. While public outrage and protests have led to modest change, there remains a systemically racist barricade thwarting real progress. Yes, bias exists in policing practices, but it also permeates our American legal systems.

Many losses, but let’s count the wins.

Since 2020, we’ve seen many legislative and policy wins across the nation. While these wins are incremental improvements, they do not absolve the fight for more change.

• Indiana passed a policing alternatives and collaboration bill that permits law enforcement with reasonable grounds to believe an individual has a mental illness to apprehend and transport them to the nearest appropriate facility.
• Maryland repealed its Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights — becoming the first state to do so.
• New York City Council passed a bill limiting qualified immunity and making it easier to sue police officers for illegal searches or using excessive force.
• San Francisco launched crisis response teams to respond to behavioral health calls instead of police.
• Washington state adopted 12 new laws that ban chokeholds, require officers to announce their presence before raiding a home and call for exhaustive de-escalation techniques before resorting to force.

It’s not lost on me that fixing our criminal legal system and uprooting the years of systemic racism is a long fight that requires interdisciplinary effort. Yet, it brings optimism to see the number of states that have passed police oversight bills, overhauled archaic laws, and increased police accountability.

Passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021

The George Floyd bill, re-introduced in the 117^th Congress in February 2021, promotes restricting certain policing practices, enhancing police transparency and data collection, and establishing the best practices and training requirements for police. Though the bill passed the House, it was blocked in the Senate in September 2021. This is the first-ever, valiant piece of legislation aimed at combatting racial discrimination and excessive use of force in law enforcement; therefore, its opposition comes as no surprise. In the rise of police killings, we must continue the work to change the culture of policing, build trust between communities and law enforcement, and hold the criminal legal system accountable.

National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice

As the inaugural director of the CBCF’s National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI), I am reminded daily of George Floyd. His death is personal to me and the work that I do. His killing stirred the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to bolster its position in advancing racial equity. His killing fortified our commitment to combating systemic injustice and the structural and systemic barriers of racism.

As we approach the third anniversary of the NREI, I am grateful for what we’ve accomplished and where we are headed. We’ve produced over 15 pieces of research to inform policy, tackling issues from welfare benefit bans for people with prior felony drug convictions to exploring reparations in Evanston, Illinois. We’ve awarded over $600,000 to 67 HBCU scholars committed to advancing equity, freedom, and justice for Black communities. We’ve accepted over a dozen John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellows, building a pipeline of young, Black professionals to address social justice on the Hill, in academia, in corporate spaces, and more. We’ve held nationwide community conversations, summits, and policy briefings on topics that center the marginalized, expose the broken system, and push for action-oriented solutions.

My work at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is forever tied to George Floyd’s legacy. Three years later, I am proud of the accomplishments of the NREI. Yet, I know that the fight is not over and that the work remains.

The post George Floyd: Three Years Later, The Work Remains appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

CONTACT:
Erica Nash-Thomas
202.263.2812
media@cbcfinc.org

WASHINGTON—Tonya Veasey, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) released the following statement on the jury decision on the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin.

“The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is encouraged that George Floyd and his surviving family have found some measure of justice today, as a Minnesota jury reached a guilty verdict of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for Derek Chauvin in the murder of Mr. Floyd.

Our thoughts continue to be with the Floyd Family as they mourn the loss of their loved one. We grieve collectively with them, the citizens of Minneapolis, and the millions who worked tirelessly throughout the last year to demand justice for this tragedy. This verdict sends a strong message about the power and value of collective action and civic engagement. It demonstrates that justice and accountability are possible.

Today’s verdict is a step in the right direction for ending disparities in consequences within our justice system.  But it is only a step. We acknowledge the countless lives lost where justice was not served, and we know that much work remains to reform the systems of injustice in the United States that lead to tragedies like Mr. Floyd’s murder. It is evident that the pursuit of justice and civil rights is a continued mission to which we must remain committed. We are steadfast and devoted to our mission to advance the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public.”

CBCF is deeply committed to racial equity and social justice through the National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI). To receive updates on CBCF news, research, programs and events, subscribe to receive the e-newsletter and follow @CBCFinc on Twitter and Instagram.

About the CBCF

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), established in 1976, is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute, committed to advancing the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public.

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