On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), it is with great excitement and enthusiasm that we extend our warmest welcome to you for the Day of Healing, a significant part of the 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC).
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Day of Healing, a cornerstone of the ALC, will feature distinguished special guests, renowned gospel artists Zacardi Cortez and Pastor Beverly Crawford will deliver inspiring performances that honor our spiritual heritage and uplifts our spirits. and Bishop Paul S. Morton. Their presence at this event promises to make it an unforgettable and spiritually uplifting experience for all attendees.
The Day of Healing has always been a cherished occasion during the ALC, providing a sacred space for reflection, rejuvenation, and unity across diverse communities. Through inspirational messages and stirring performances, this day brings together faith leaders and individuals from across the nation to celebrate the enduring role of faith in the lives of Black Americans. It is a moment when we honor the vital contributions of our community in the ongoing efforts to strengthen our democracy, protect our freedoms, and uplift our culture.
We are honored to have such esteemed guests join us for this significant event, and we look forward to sharing this remarkable day with you. Together, we will foster an atmosphere of unity, inspiration, and empowerment.
Thank you for your support and participation in the 53rd Annual Legislative Conference. We anticipate a day filled with reflection, growth, and unity as we honor our heritage and continue our collective work to secure our democracy, protect our freedoms, and uplift our culture.
Warm regards,
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
PROGRAM
2024 DAY OF HEALING
Welcome Remarks
CBCF Chair Remarks
Call to Worship/Prayer for Peace
Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO, CBCF
Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, Board Chair, CBCF
Clergy Leaders:
Imam Dr. Talib M. Shareef, The Nation’s Mosque
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Reverend Dr. Micheal J. Jones, Sr. Pastor Village of Faith
BREAKFAST SERVICE
CBC Chair Remarks Congressman Steven Horsford, Chair, CBC
ALC Honorary Co-Chairs Remarks
Video Presentation
Congresswoman Lucy McBath & Congressman
Troy Carter, ALC Honorary Co-Chairs
Coca-Cola, Sponsor
Sponsor Remarks Sean Lee, Head of Customer Experience, Coca Cola
Leadership Institute Remarks Tony Bishop, Senior Advisor, The White House: Office of the National Cyber Director
Musical Performance Introductions
Congresswoman Lucy McBath & Congressman
Troy Carter, ALC Honorary Co-Chairs
Musical Performance Zacardi Cortez
Musical Performance Beverly Crawford
Keynote Message
Closing Remarks
Bishop Paul S. Morton
Congresswoman Lucy McBath & Congressman
Troy Carter, ALC Honorary Co-Chairs
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Bishop Paul S. MORTON, SR.
Bishop Paul S. Morton is uniquely anointed for the body of Christ with a clear and distinct voice in the 21st Century, releasing into the atmosphere the truth of God’s word, and bringing about salvation, healing, deliverance and restoration for the continued up-building of God’s Kingdom.
A Pastor’s Pastor; a Leader’s Leader; the nurturing heart of an apostolic father with a mandate to Change A Generation by Changing the Way We Do Church. He is the Founding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International,
as well as the Overseer of Changing A Generation Ministries in Atlanta, GA and the Overseer of Greater St. Stephen Ministries in New Orleans, LA. (One Church in Two States!)
Bishop Morton is a gifted author, singer and national recording artist. He holds multiple advanced degrees in Theology and Divinity. Bishop and his wife, Dr. Debra B. Morton, are the proud parents of three children and the grandparents of eight beautiful grandchildren.
Pastor Beverly Crawford
When Pastor Beverly Crawford was singing in her father’s tent revivals as a child with her siblings, The Camps Sisters, she never imagined that she was in training for a life that would be spent traveling the world proclaiming the Gospel. Crawford, a Gainesville native born to the late Bishop Walter and Nellie Mae Camps, brought what the Chicago Tribune described as “raw fire… hot-stepping, in-the-spirit shouting” to national television for eight years on Bobby Jones Gospel as part of his New Life ensemble, which delivered Gospel music into millions of homes weekly on Black Entertainment Television (BET). Dr. Jones, who’d discovered her when she and her sisters first performed on his show, gave her the opportunity to learn from Gospel music’s pioneers like the late Albertina Walker and Pastor Shirley Caesar. She signed with Warner Brothers Records as a solo artist in 1994 and released her first solo album, Jesus Precious King, which Ebony Magazine wrote was “an invigorating performance of emotionally rich and spiritually powerful gospel music.” Her sophomore release, Now That I’m Here, earned a Grammy nomination and led to subsequent recording contracts with Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Dexterity Sounds (EMI Records) and JDI Records, resulting in Dove nominations and multiple Stellar Awards. She has recorded with Kirk Franklin, Earnest Pugh, the Mississippi Mass Choir, Shirley Murdock, Ricky Dillard and many others.
Alongside her music ministry, she has been evangelizing for over 30 years, ministering internationally. Beverly Crawford Ministries is administered by her and her husband of 37 years, Pastor Todd, who also serves as her manager. Together, they have ministered in prisons, served the homeless and fed the hungry. She coordinates an annual conference for girls, “Purpose Princess,” to empower other young ladies to share their testimonies as she has shared hers. Beverly Crawford Ministries also hosts an annual women’s conference, “Calling All Women 911,” which has blessed women from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
The Crawfords are the proud parents of two children, Latrina Crawford-Taylor and Todd Junior. Latrina and her husband, Glenn, both serve faithfully at Landmark Holy Temple of God, the church Pastor Beverly and Pastor Todd began copastoring in 2019. Latrina is a musician, worship leader, and minister, and Glenn is a deacon and sound technician. Todd Jr. serves in the music department as a singer and lead guitar player.
She and Todd are currently planning Beverly’s first live recording since 2014’s Thank You For All You’ve Done, which will expand on her commitment to keeping gospel’s traditional sound relevant for and important to the next generation.
MUSICAL PERFORMER
Cortez
Zacardi Cortez was born and raised in the Acres Homes community of Houston Texas. When he started singing at the age of 5 years old, he had no clue what God had in store for his life.
Cortez is now a 2x Grammy Nominee, 3x Stellar Award Winner and 2x BMI Songwriter Award recipient. His current success is all tied to his most recent album “Imprint: LIVE in Memphis,” which includes songs like You’ve Been Good to Me and viral favorite Lord Do it For Me.
When he is not traveling and sharing his musical gifting, Zacardi enjoys spending time with his children and working out.
Zacardi
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ALUMNI REMARKS
Tony Bishop
Tony Bishop currently serves as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the National Cyber Director in the Executive Office of the President. He previously served as the Deputy Policy Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). At the DCCC Tony wrote policy guidance for members of Congress and congressional candidates. Previously, Tony served as the Executive Director of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC). In this role, he worked to create and advance public policy to empower the Black community with a voting block of 19 Black members in the Ohio Legislature. He also led the organizational component of OLBC that provides community resources, civic education, and fundraising efforts. Prior to this role Tony was a Robert Schuman fellow in the European Parliament (EP), where he was one of the first
African Americans to receive the fellowship. While in the EP he worked in the Directorate General for the Presidency as a member of the team for relations with national parliaments. The opportunity for this role came through his work in the EP’s liaison office in Washington D.C., where he worked to strengthen the European relationship with Congress. Prior to engaging with Congress from the outside, he worked within its walls as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation fellow in the Office of the House Democratic Caucus Chairman, Hakeem Jeffries. This fellowship was preceded by time spent in the Ohio Legislature as a legislative aide, dedicated to issues of healthcare equity and reform. He is also the President of the CBCF Alumni Association. Tony holds both a BA and MS from Otterbein University, located in Westerville, Ohio.
Imam Dr. Talib M.
Shareef
Dr. Talib M. Shareef is President and Imam of historic, Masjid Muhammad, The Nation's Mosque in Washington, D.C. He is a retired U.S. Air Force member with 30+ years; has a Doctorate from the Global Oved Dei Seminary University, where he serves as a professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Interfaith Council. He served as Imam in 5 U.S. cities and 7 military locations.
His Majesty Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, awarded Imam Shareef the Kingdom’s highest Royal Medal and honor for his outstanding interfaith leadership. He was the first Imam with military service to open a session of the U.S. Congress. He received the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden and was selected as the Muslim representative to speak and introduce him at the White House. He was also recognized for his service by President Obama at the White House as well.
Jones
Dr. Michael J. Jones is a renowned Pastor, Philanthropist, Public Speaker, Father, and Friend known for his impactful contributions to the community. A Virginia native, he returned to Richmond from Arizona to pursue his calling in seminary. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder where he also was captain of the Buffaloes’ 1990 Orange Bowl Team. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Samuel Dewitt School of Theology at Virginia Union University, holding a Master of Divinity degree, and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.
Notably, Dr. Jones has made significant strides in public service, having been elected to represent the 77th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. His dedication to serving the community extends beyond his pastoral responsibilities.
Driven by his father's teachings, Dr. Jones has integrated the message of resilience into his conversations, speeches, and sermons.
Prior to answering his spiritual calling, he had a successful career with Pepsi Cola and founded his own insurance agency.
In 2005, he founded the Village of Faith, a rapidly growing church in the Richmond area. Witnessing his mother's transportation struggles, Dr. Jones initiated the Cars 4 Christ program, gifting over 65 cars to single mothers from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
Recognizing disparities in local communities, Dr. Jones ran for City Council of Richmond, ultimately being elected in 2015 and serving as Council President. His commitment to equity and opportunity has been a driving force in his public service as he led the fight to remove Richmond’s Confederate monuments.
Dr. Jones resides in Richmond, VA where he raised his daughter, Jocelyn, a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, and a son, Jalon, who is in Florida pursuing an NFL career. His unwavering dedication to uplifting others and creating positive change continues to inspire many.
Sr. Pastor Dr. Michael J.
Rabbi Jonah Dov
Pesner
Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism, a position to which he was appointed in 2011. Named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine, he is an inspirational leader and tireless advocate for social justice.
Rabbi Pesner’s work focuses on encouraging Jewish communities to reach across lines of race, class, and faith while campaigning for social justice. In 2006, he founded Just Congregations (now incorporated into the Religious Action Center), which engaged clergy, professional, and volunteer leaders in interfaith social justice efforts. Rabbi Pesner was a primary leader in the Massachusetts campaign for health care access that has provided coverage to thousands and became a model for nationwide reform. Over the course of his career, he has also led and supported campaigns for racial justice, economic opportunity, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ equality, human rights, and a variety of other causes. He is dedicated to building bridges to collectively confront antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate.
Rabbi Pesner is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, speaks regularly on college campuses, has trained students on all four
the NAACP, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, and the New England Center for Children. He is a member of the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council for the Department of Homeland Security, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Solidarity Council on Racial Equity and the Leadership Team of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. He has served as a scholar for the Wexner Foundation, The Chautauqua Institution, American Jewish World Service, the Nexus USA Summit, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
Rabbi Pesner was the co-editor of “Moral Resistance and Spiritual Authority: Our Jewish Obligation to Justice,” wrote the afterword to the newly published “Social Justice Torah Commentary,” and is a widely-published author.
Ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997, Rabbi Pesner was a congregational rabbi at Temple Israel in Boston, Massachusetts and at Temple Israel in Westport, Connecticut. A graduate of Wesleyan University and the Bronx High School of Science, Rabbi Pesner is married to Dana S. Gershon, an attorney. They have four daughters: Juliet, Noa, Bobbie, and Cate.
LEADERSHIP
MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OF THE 118TH CONGRESS In order of seniority
Delegate
ELEANOR HOLMES
NORTON (DC)
Representative MAXINE WATERS (CA)
Representative SANFORD D. BISHOP (GA)
ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER
Representative JAMES E. CLYBURN (SC)
Representative BOBBY SCOTT (VA)
Representative BENNIE G. THOMPSON (MS)
Representative DANNY K. DAVIS (IL)
Representative GREGORY D. MEEKS (NY)
Representative BARBARA LEE (CA)
Representative DAVID SCOTT (GA)
Representative EMANUEL CLEAVER, II (MO)
Representative AL GREEN (TX)
Representative GWEN MOORE (WI)
1 ST VICE CHAIR
Representative YVETTE D. CLARKE (NY)
Representative HANK JOHNSON (GA)
Representative ANDRÉ CARSON (IN)
Representative TERRI A. SEWELL (AL)
Representative FREDERICA S. WILSON (FL)
MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OF THE 118TH CONGRESS In order of seniority
Representative JOYCE BEATTY (OH)
DEMOCRATIC LEADER
Representative HAKEEM JEFFRIES (NY)
Representative MARC VEASEY (TX)
Representative ROBIN KELLY (IL)
Senator CORY BOOKER (NJ)
Representative ALMA ADAMS (NC)
Delegate
STACEY E. PLASKETT (VI)
Representative BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN (NJ)
Representative DWIGHT EVANS (PA)
CHAIR
Representative STEVEN HORSFORD (NV)
Representative COLIN ALLRED (TX)
Representative JAHANA HAYES (CT)
SECRETARY
Representative LUCY MCBATH (GA)
Representative JOE NEGUSE (CO)
Representative ILHAN OMAR (MN)
Representative LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER (DE)
Representative AYANNA PRESSLEY (MA)
Representative LAUREN UNDERWOOD (IL)
Representative KWEISI MFUME (MD)
MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OF THE 118TH CONGRESS In order of seniority
Representative NIKEMA WILLIAMS (GA)
Representative CORI BUSH (MO)
Representative JAMAAL BOWMAN (NY)
Representative RITCHIE TORRES (NY)
WHIP
Representative MARILYN STRICKLAND (WA)
Senator RAPHAEL WARNOCK (GA)
2 ND VICE CHAIR
Representative TROY CARTER (LA)
Representative SHONTEL BROWN (OH)
Representative SHEILA CHERFILUS MCCORMICK (FL)
Representative JASMINE CROCKETT(TX)
Representative DON DAVIS (NC)
Representative VALERIE FOUSHEE (NC)
Representative MAXWELL FROST (FL)
Representative GLENN IVEY (MD)
Representative JONATHAN JACKSON (IL)
Representative SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE (CA)
Representative SUMMER LEE (PA)
Representative EMILIA STRONG SYKES (OH)
Representative JENIFFER MCCLELLAN (VA)
Representative LAPHONZA BUTLER (CA)
Representative GABE AMO
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
REP. TERRI A. SEWELL
U.S. House of Representatives
VICE CHAIR
CHAKA T. BURGESS
Nation Strategies
SECRETARY
ALETHIA JACKSON
Walgreens Boots Alliance
TREASURER
MARKUS GREEN
REP. TROY CARTER
U.S. House of Representatives
PAMELA G. ALEXANDER KKR
REP. JOYCE BEATTY
U.S. House of Representatives
TELLIS BETHEL
Toyota Motor North America
COURTNEY BILLINGTON
Johnson & Johnson
NATALIE BRUNSON-WHEELER
State Farm Insurance Companies
DALE BURNETT
BIG Equirt Investors LLC
LADAVIA DRANE Amazon
NONI ELLISON
Tractor Supply Company
PAMELA EVERHART
Fidelity Investments
ISAAC FORDJOUR Walgreens
QUITA HIGHSMITH, MBA Genentech
FELICIA HALE
The Coca-Cola Company
FRED HUMPHRIES
Microsoft
REP. GLENN IVEY
U.S. House of Representatives
BRODERICK JOHNSON
Comcast Corporation
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REP. ROBIN KELLY
U.S. House of Representatives
MARCUS SEBASTIAN MASON
The Madison Group
REP. LUCY MCBATH
U.S. House of Representatives
REP. STACEY E. PLASKETT
U.S. House of Representatives
NICHOLE FRANCIS REYNOLDS, ESQ. ServiceNow
MARTIN RODGERS
Accenture
Ex Officio
CBC CHAIRPERSON
REP. STEVEN HORSFORD
U.S. House of Representatives
CBC SPOUSES CHAIRPERSON
REV. WILLIAM COLEMAN
DIRECTOR EMERITUS FORMER CONGRESSMAN
KENDRICK MEEK
DONTAI SMALLS UPS LISA OSBORNE ROSS
JESSE TYSON
The National Black MBA Association, Past President
REP. FREDERICA S. WILSON
U.S. House of Representatives
RONDU VINCENT Bristol Myers Squibb
DIRECTOR EMERITUS FORMER CONGRESSMAN CEDRIC RICHMOND
