C O N G R E S S I O N A L B L A C K C A U C U S F O U N D AT I O N / A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
CBC Spouses The CBC Spouses have consistently shown
In 2020 more than 100 high school students
their commitment to the next generation of
applied to the Spouses Essay Contest,
leaders by providing educational opportunities
writing to the prompt:
for a diverse group of young people. The CBC
According to research conducted by Cornel
Spouses laid the groundwork to establish
Belcher of Brilliant Corners, Millennials are less
CBCF’s internship and fellowship programs,
likely to go to the polls than senior citizens.
and in 1988 the Spouses established their
During the 2012 presidential election, 72 percent
first education scholarship program. This
of Americans 65 and older cast their ballots, while
collaborative work between CBCF and the
only 41 percent of those 18–24 voted. Elections
CBC Spouses has provided more than $11
are decided by the people who show up at the
million in scholarships to deserving students
polls. In your view, who do you believe shows
and established a pipeline of opportunity to
up more, and what can be done to increase
ultimately advance young African Americans
participation of those who currently sit out?
in their career choices.
The following students were selected for their submissions. In addition to a cash award, each placed recipient received a laptop from the CBC Spouses Essay Contest Issue Forum session sponsor, Microsoft: FIRST PLACE: Ms. Justice Guldin – Congressman Hank Johnson Stephenson High School, Stone Mountain, GA SECOND PLACE: Mr. Kellen Matthews – Congressman Kweisi Mfume Calvert Hall College High School, Baltimore, MD THIRD PLACE: Ms. Kennedy Rushing – Congressman Bennie Thompson Germantown High School, Madison, MS
/16
