ALC ‘20

ALC ‘20 Annual Legislative Conference in review

In response to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. moved its 2020 Annual Legislative Conference to a virtual format. With just 90 days of planning and production time, the CBCF team alongside CBC member offices, sponsors, and stakeholders produced over 76 hours of content spanning over 34 days. The process included the strategic development, production, and marketing of a 5-week conference and (7) content tracks. What is normally a 5-day event was held over the course of 34 days, from August 31 to October 11, 2020. The following data outlines the success of the conference and the insights the Events team will use to plan for future Annual Legislative Conferences.

Despite the shift to a virtual conference format, the ALC brought together experts and organizers to share accounts from the front lines of advocacy, spotlight innovative campaigns, foster support for advocacy funding and raise awareness of pathways to be informed and involved in the democratic process. More than 18,000 attendees in business, academia, government, nonprofits, and philanthropy engaged on the virtual platform.

The Annual Legislative Conference garnered $4,602,999 in corporate sponsorship from more than 106 companies and a record number of individual contributions totaling more than $48,500.

ALC ‘20 brought together 18,000+ attendees From across the nation and around the world, nearly doubling the attendee base of previous in-person conferences. 18,000+

ATTENDEES

Event content focused on CBCF’s core pillars of education, health and wellness, economic empowerment, and the environment.

84 conference sessions

24,714

unique session views

31 member issue forums

13 member-led braintrusts

8professional development series sessions

9CBCF sessions and events

23 third party sessions

439 registered speakers

TOTAL HOURS OF CONTENT 76 22.5

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION / ANNUAL REPORT 2020Complementary Registration was offered to A Robust CBCF Production Team was all guests before, during, and after the conference thanks to the continued support of Toyota.

A Virtual Event Platform offered real time broadcasts and on-demand viewing options and the opportunity to experience the ALC programming attendees have become accustomed to from the comfort and safety of their homes. Additionally, the platform allowed attendees to customize their own agenda, and select from more than 80 sessions based on their interests. formed to create standardized production workflow and offer high quality session production to session hosts with varying levels of tech savvy.

Pre-Recorded Sessions provided session

hosts the ability to choose optimal recording dates and engage speakers from multiple time zones for a real-time conversation and pre-recorded remarks and commercials from engaged stakeholders.

Newly Designed Sponsorship Opportunities

were innovated and embedded into conference content and the virtual platform to increase exposure for companies supporting the CBCF.

Record Individual Contributions were received

from more than 780 attendees totaling over $48,565.00.

The Phoenix Awards and Day of Healing

(formerly the Prayer Breakfast) were redesigned as television broadcasts in partnership with Black Entertainment Television (BET). The Professional Development Series

continued in close partnership with series sponsors to offer continuing education credits to educators and health professionals who attended virtually.

CBCF Sunday on BET served as the grand finale to the 34-day virtual conference and featured the Phoenix Awards and Day of Healing in addition to a virtual brunch hosted by minister, comedian, and recording artist Willie Moore, Jr. and The Black Party hosted by DJ Cassidy on Facebook Live.

CBC Spouses and ALC

With the necessary pivot of the organization from an onsite event to a virtual platform for the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference, the CBC Spouses followed suit, with two of its members, Spouse Essay Contest Chair Simone Meeks and Dr. Sonya Horsford hosting two 2020 Virtual ALC sessions:

Due to COVID restrictions, the CBC Spouses cancelled their Community Breakfast and Health Fair and the Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts Awards, typically scheduled during the ALC. 99 Problems. Don’t Let Your Vote be One

Simone-Marie L. Meeks, Host

Discussion: What might be done to change Millennials’ & GenZ’s voting perspectives? What does this suggest for the future of the country?

How Are the Children? Black Education in the Wake of COVID

Sonya Horsford, Ph.D., Host

Discussion: National foundation program officers and education organization leaders gathered to discuss the major issues facing Black students against the backdrop of COVID and Black Lives Matter and share what their organizations and partners are doing to /20 advance educational equity and justice in Black communities.

THE PHOENIX AWARDS

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBCF’s iconic Phoenix Awards transitioned to a virtual program, televised as the culminating Annual Legislative Conference event on BET and BET Her. The virtual awards and entertainment program featured a lineup of notable speakers including remarks by then U.S. presidential candidate Joe Biden and then U.S. Senator Kamala Harris. Additionally, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus were honored for their service, accomplishments, and efforts to eliminate the many disparities that continue to exist for millions of Black Americans. Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, the Phoenix Awards recognized extraordinary individuals who, through their efforts and accomplishments, have made significant contributions to society. Honorees received the prestigious, CBCF-commissioned Phoenix Award.

Performers for the Phoenix Awards included Andra Day, Anthony Hamilton, Black Violin, Common, Cynthia Erivo, India Arie, Jonathan Traylor, Kem, Ledisi, and T-Pain. MC Lyte served as the Voice of God. Special guests included Keisha Lance Bottoms, Donna Brazile, and then Senator Kamala Harris.

2020 Phoenix Awardees included:

CBCF Chair’s Award – Attorney Ben Crump, nationally recognized trial lawyer

CBC Chair’s Award – Lonnie Bunch III, Director of the Smithsonian Institution

ALC Co-Chair’s Award – Bernice King, American minister and youngest child of Martin Luther King, Jr.

CBC Body Award – “William” Larry Lucas, Former Vice President of Governmental Affairs/Diversity Programs for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America (PhRMA)

The George Thomas “Mickey” Leland Award - Joe Biden, Then Former Vice President of the United States

DAY OF HEALING

(formerly The Prayer Breakfast)

In lieu of its annual traditional Prayer Breakfast, the CBCF team made the virtual shift to the televised Day of Healing in partnership with Viacomm CBS and BET. The Day of Healing, a non-denominational spiritual program aired on BET and BET Her at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 11. Consistent with former Prayer Breakfasts, the televised Day of Healing hosted celebrities, political leaders, top gospel artists, and ministers. The program, hosted by Kirk Franklin, included a message from TD Jakes, Bishop of The Potter’s House Church and featured Donnie Simpson as the Voice of God. A Motown Gospel Revue featured musical performances by The Clark Sisters, Tye Tribbett, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Evvie McKinney.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES

In its fifth year, the Professional Development Series (PDS) continued to attract a broad segment of attendees interested in gaining industry-based credit hours while experiencing public policy sessions virtually.

The Professional Development Series For Health Professionals

SPONSOR: National Medical Association

The Professional Development Series For Educators

SPONSOR: American Federation of Teachers