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.”

# # #

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.

The post CBCF Statement on Remembering George Floyd and Advancing Equity Through Action 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.

IG: @Mr_CHarris

As the recent tragedy involving the mass shooting of nine African Americans while attending Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina continues to plague the hearts of millions, the shooter has been in photographs proudly honoring the Confederate Battle Flag. This heartbreaking incident has made Americans examine this flag and has left the country with the challenging question; what does the Confederate Battle Flag really stand for?

Southern white American supporters are claiming that the Confederate Battle Flag represents history, tradition, heritage, and pride for the South. As an African American, it is virtually impossible for someone of my race and culture to not be disturbed and concerned by some of the responses from the flags’ supporters.

My grandparents’ who hail from the South, (Holly Springs Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee) have five children, nineteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. It is safe to say that I have a big family. Although we may be large in numbers, there are family traditions that we all hold close to our hearts and knowing our family history is imperative to us. I am completely aware of the importance of knowing ones history, I am cognizant of the significance of traditions, and I even agree that the Confederate Battle Flag represents American history, but everything about American history is not glorious.

The history of the Confederate Battle Flag represents a dark time in our nation, one of many obscure times in history for African Americans. The painful red hue within the Confederate Battle Flag is an agonizing reminder of the massive amounts of blood that was shed by the hundreds of African Americans who were beaten, raped and lynched by members of the Confederate Army. This flag is a consistent recap of those who captured, sold and marginalized thousands of people within a country that was created on principles of equality for all.

Etched within every thread of the Confederate Battle Flag repeats the words of Alexander H. Stephens, the Vice President of the Confederate States, “the negro is not equal to the white man.” Each strain is a representation of the six Confederate veterans who founded the Ku Klux Klan, whose main purpose was to restore white supremacy by any means necessary, which included the killing of African Americans. Some fail to realize that the Confederate Battle Flag is not one of the three national flags that were created to represent the heritage or history of the Confederacy.

This specific flag was created to represent the Confederacy in combat, where lives were aimed to be taken. This flag was not to represent the Confederacy as a whole, but precisely for the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee’s army, who was the General in chief of the Armies of the Confederate States.

—

Camren J. Harris is a native of Columbus, Ohio and a recent graduate of Capital University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Sociology. On campus Camren was a member of Capital University’s Student Government where he served as the Governance Committee Chair and Senior Class Representative. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. where he served as Chapter President of the Omicron Rho Chapter. This past semester he interned at the Ohio House of Representatives as a Democratic Caucus Page. This summer Camren will be interning in the office of Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11). 

The post “CBCF Perspectives” OPINION: True Heritage? appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

WASHINGTON—A. Shuanise Washington, president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) today released the following statement on the South Carolina legislature’s decision to remove the Confederate battle flag from statehouse grounds.

“The CBCF commends the efforts of South Carolina lawmakers for taking action to take down a divisive symbol in our history. As a native of South Carolina, the flag was a reminder of a time of deep segregation and intimidation for African Americans.

“The removal of the battle flag is the first step to honoring the victims of the Emanuel Nine. We will never forget their sacrifice.

“But the removal of the battle flag does not solve some of the civil and social justice issues that plague our society. This historic moment in South Carolina is an opportunity for a broader conversation about improving race relations and eliminating inequities that impact African Americans.

“When we address the systemic factors that contribute to the black unemployment rate, the school-to-prison pipeline among black youth, excessive police force, and disparities in quality healthcare and in fair housing; then, we will be able to move forward as one nation with liberty, justice and respect for all of its citizens.

###

The post CBCF President Responds to Removal of Confederate Battle Flag from South Carolina Statehouse appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Unfortunately, the culprit is plagued with the same mental illness that many other Americans have as well. There are many racist incidents even within this case alone that support this argument. First, immediately following this incident, many people took strong stances on various justification points for why this deranged man might have attacked these innocent people. Presidential candidate Rick Santorum stated that this crime was simply an “assault on religious liberty.” Others have humanized him and labeled him a victim of mental illness–and not the kind I was referring to previously. The racism here lies in the fact that no evidence whatsoever leaned towards any of the assertions that any of these critics are implying. In fact, the culprit, Mr. Dylan Roof himself said that he was attempting to start a “race war.” Another racially-motivated act occurred when the mayor, Joseph Riley referred to the shooter as “one hateful person.” Although this may have not been intentional prejudice, there are subtle racist indications that can be deduced from this statement. Anthea Butler, in her article in the Washington Post, masterfully presented and supported this point. She expounded on how when Whites commit heinous crimes such as these, they are detached from their larger white race–which explains the Mayor’s emphasis on the word “one”–and they are given sole responsibly for their actions. At least, when they are not being given the scapegoat of mental illness. However, when Blacks or Muslims commit the same crimes, it is often labeled systemic, and a problem infected by the race at large, rather than attributed to that one person’s mental state. Last but not least, one of the points that has seldom been talked about is the officers in the case. They handled this case exactly how cops should. Even though the culprit proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that he possessed a lethal weapon and was more than ready to use it, he was given the courtesy and decency of being apprehended, so that his life could be determined in the court of law and not by the mouths of a the officers’ guns.  Interestingly, the culprits in the Aurora Theater shooting and Newtown middle school shooting both received this same level of courtesy and decency. My only wish is that Michael Brown, Eric Gardner, Tamar Rice, and countless others could have been afforded this same opportunity of courtesy and decency.

America has suffered from this mental illness for way too long. Yes, as a country we have indeed come a long way. However, we must not confuse progress with arrival. Unless we address this issue with, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says, the “fierce urgency of now,” America will become the greatest enemy of its own self interest. As the late Dr. King also stated, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

By:  Gabriel Carter

The post America’s Greatest Mental Illness appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

To make matters worse, within the societal structure of these United States, the systemic script has been written to afford us the joy of negotiating the land mines in which we have been socialized and institutionalized to think, act, and behave. We should be grateful for the right to this life of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

However, the reality of racism and the lack of diversity by definition, impedes upon that declaration and cripples the black male’s ability to truly understand the difference between manhood, masculinity and manliness. We are left to perpetuate the struggle and fight for an identity, for power, for respect and for understanding of who we are versus what we’re being coerced to be. Even in our own homes.

The reactionary behaviors and coping mechanisms that manifest as a result of this structure, are incomprehensible by some who aren’t challenged with a distorted form of self-awareness. An identity that forces you to view yourself through the lenses of those who do not perceive or allow you to function as an equal. For those who do comprehend, many lack the courage and desire to reinforce the words of their forefathers.

This creates pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations of manhood as protector and provider. However, despite the unconscious internalization and acceptance of standards, inequities in education, employment and opportunities, I believe we must revolutionize our responses.

Sufficient evidence proves the process of degrading our appearance and drive has been exercised for many years. Even prior to Willie Lynch delivering detailed instructions on the bank of the James River in the colony of Virginia in 1712 on how to erode our masculinity. Unimpressed, fast forward three hundred years and the consequences linger. In particular, the impact on our health, behavior, interpersonal relationships, emotional development, violence, and well-being.

An intentional design to strip away the possession of traditional male qualities of being brave and strong and replacing them with proving manliness on the streets. Now that we are equipped with increased discernment, we must regain the qualities traditionally associated with true men, such as courage, strength and potency. The character traits that make us beautiful black men.

By: MrJay_Jackson

The post The Disoriented Trilogy for the Black Male Manhood ~ Masculinity ~ Manliness appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

WASHINGTON—A. Shuanise Washington, president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), today released the following statement about the confederate flag, which hangs at the South Carolina statehouse.

“As a South Carolina native, this week’s shooting at Emanuel AME Church affected me profoundly and personally. It reminded me of my upbringing in a state with a deeply entrenched history of slavery and segregation. The murder of nine, innocent black people at Emanuel AME Church is a window into the racial terror that South Carolina knows all too well.

“More than fifty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, our country remains challenged with severe racial disparities and racism. And the confederate flag is a divisive vestige of slavery, racial hatred, racial terror, and systemic discrimination. During the 20th century, The Ku Klux Klan appropriated the flag as a symbol of hatred and racial terror. In 1948, the States’ Rights Democratic Party took up the banner as a symbol of systemic discrimination in opposition to the civil rights platform of the Democratic Party. In 2015, Dylann Roof, who also brandished the flag, massacred innocent people at their place of worship in the ultimate act of hate.

“I commend the efforts of Governor Nikki Haley and other lawmakers in South Carolina to remove the confederate flag from the state capital. But removing the flag is just the first of many steps that we must take to move forward.

“We must have honest conversations about race relations, systemic discrimination, and attitudes about race that manifest in the lived experiences of black people in this country. We must also work together—as one nation—to develop solutions that offer all Americans uncompromised liberty and justice. The future of South Carolina and our great nation depends on it.

“My thoughts and heartfelt prayers continue to be with South Carolina, the Charleston community, and members of Emanuel AME as they grieve the untimely death of their friends and loved ones.”

###

The post CBCF President: Remove Confederate Flag from South Carolina Statehouse appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

As a South Carolina native, this week’s shooting at Emanuel AME Church affected me profoundly and personally. It reminded me of my upbringing in a state with a deeply entrenched history of slavery and segregation. The murder of nine, innocent black people at Emmanuel AME Church is a window into the racial terror that South Carolina knows all too well.

More than fifty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, our country remains challenged with severe racial disparities and racism. And the confederate flag is a divisive vestige of slavery, racial hatred, racial terror, and systemic discrimination. During the 20th century, The Ku Klux Klan appropriated the flag as a symbol of hatred and racial terror. In 1948, the States’ Rights Democratic Party took up the banner as a symbol of systemic discrimination in opposition to the civil rights platform of the Democratic Party.  In 2015, Dylann Roof, who also brandished the flag, massacred innocent people at their place of worship in the ultimate act of hate.

I commend the efforts of Governor Nikki Haley and other lawmakers in South Carolina to remove the confederate flag from the state capital. But removing the flag is just the first of many steps that we must take to move forward.

We must have honest conversations about race relations, systemic discrimination, and attitudes about race that manifest in the lived experiences of black people in this country. We must also work together—as one nation—to develop solutions that offer all Americans uncompromised liberty and justice. The future of South Carolina and our great nation depends on it.

My thoughts and heartfelt prayers continue to be with South Carolina, the Charleston community, and members of Emanuel AME as they grieve the untimely death of their friends and loved ones.

A. Shuanise Washington is president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. Washington oversees CBCF’s public policy, research, educational and fund raising initiatives. Prior to her appointment as president of CBCF, Ms. Washington led Washington Solutions, LLC, a firm she founded in 2008 after a long and successful career working at the highest levels of corporate America.  She is a native of  Columbia, South Carolina.

The post “CBCF Perspectives” OPINION: Remove the Confederate Flag from the South Carolina Statehouse appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

WASHINGTON—A. Shuanise Washington, president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF), today released the following statement on the arrest of Dylann Roof, accused of shooting and killing nine parishioners inside Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

“We are saddened by this terrible tragedy unfolding in Charleston, South Carolina. Attacks of this nature in a place of refuge, peace and prayer are senseless.

“Mother Emanuel, as the church is affectionately called, is the oldest AME church in the south, spanning a rich legacy dating back to 1816. The church has endured many struggles: destroyed by fire and an earthquake, and forced to conduct service in secret. Still, the church and its members overcame these obstacles to push forward in faith, hope and love. Emanuel AME is an example of resilience.

“The shooting is an eerie reminder of the attacks on churches during the Civil Rights Movement. We applaud law enforcement for their swift efforts to capture the suspect in this heinous crime.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the Charleston community and members of Emanuel AME as they try to heal from this unfortunate tragedy.”

###

The post CBCF Releases Statement on the Arrest in the Charleston Church Shooting appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

The African-American body is undervalued and unappreciated in America. Even more so, the life of the African-American man, as precious as it is, is in constant danger of being eradicated. As I organized my thoughts to write this piece, I had to ask myself: Why exactly are you mad?

The constant display of rioters by the 24-hour news cycle has distracted people from the issue at hand: American police officers are killing black men. The initial issue is being lost in the jargon of riots and looting. It is amazing how a corner store burning took on more importance than the life of Freddie Gray in the national media.

Freddie Gray, a 25 year old Black man died on April 19, 2015 from injuries sustained in his arrest a week earlier. Though his family requested peace and no violence, rioting broke out all over the city of Baltimore. The idea of violence vs. non-violence is a perplexing concept. There were no riots for the death of Trayvon Martin, and George Zimmerman, who stood trial for the murder of Trayvon, walked free. On the other hand you have Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri who was left for dead in the street for hours, who was rioted for, yet his killer, Officer Darren Wilson, was not even indicted by the grand jury. Let us also not forget the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Eric Garner, John Crawford, Tamir Rice, and Tony Robinson; no one has been brought to justice for their tragic deaths. It saddens me that after each Black man is killed we must ask ourselves, “Will the next one be the last one?”

If you are not vehement at the current state of black America, then the problem is not the looters and the rioters, the problem is you. You are failing to realize the harsh parallels between slavery and the present, between Jim Crow and James Crow, Esq. History is taught in an effort to encourage avoiding the mistakes of the past, but also in a way that makes it hard to realize the manifestation of history in different forms.

Malcolm X once said, “Our objective is complete freedom, justice, and equality by any means necessary.” It is apparent that law enforcement protects themselves and their own by any means necessary, but when will we do the same? I urge my readers to do their research, and study black history in conjunction with American history.  Our story is one that others can manipulate if we are not conscious to their efforts. I believe in my black people. I believe in our strength and willpower to fight in solidarity against a law enforcement system that was not meant to protect us but instead to destroy us.

Kelsea is a native of Mesquite, TX and a graduating senior at the University of Texas-Austin where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in African and African diaspora studies.  Kelsea is interning in the Office of Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson. 

The post “CBCF Perspectives” OPINION: The Issue is Police Brutality, Not Rioting appeared first on Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.