By Kayla York, Staff Writer
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosted its 48th Annual Legislative Conference entitled “The Dream Still Demands” this weekend, Sept.12-16, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The conference’s theme honored the legacy of the civil rights movement and the activists of today fighting for justice and equality.
On Sept. 14, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) hosted the “Young, Gifted, and Black: Reclaiming Our Time” panel. Rapper Common attended and noted James Baldwin and Maya Angelou to have always been his inspiration as a child.
Actress Regina Hall spoke at the conference about her appearance in “The Hate U Give”. Rep. Val Demmings (D-Fla.) noted the film to be about “standing up for what is right. No matter what your job or occupation is. It is about speaking out boldly.”
The weekend wound down with the “Phoenix Ceremony Dinner” on Sept. 15, where ‘Days of our Lives’’ host Vivica A. Fox aided in the distribution of awards to honorees of the highest distinction. One of those recognized was Rev. Jesse Jackson. Jackson was awarded the CBCF Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the Rainbow Coalition, which has been advocating for civil rights and social justice since the 1970s.
Howard alumna and United States Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), left the audience with a few remarkable words to act by. “The dream still demands that we be accountable to our future,” Senator Harris said, “because we know that years from now our children and our grandchildren will ask us where were you during this pivotal moment.”
As midterm elections could yield the first black governor in Georgia, Florida or Maryland, it is important to turn the messages given by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to action.
