2024 Atlanta NREI CC - Program Book by Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Empowering Equality: Voting Rights and Representation in America

ATLANTA, GA

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2024

9:00AM-4:30PM ET

Southern Poverty Law Center

Sessions Overview

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Representative Steven Horsford Chair, Congressional Black Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives

Representative Terri A. Sewell, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors, U.S. House of Representatives

OPENING PERFORMING ARTS

Nia Bennett, Student, Veritas School of Social Sciences

FIRESIDE CHAT

Join us for a Fireside Chat moderated by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation President and CEO, Nicole Austin-Hillery. The esteemed panelists will discuss the dynamic and contentious nature of voting rights, emphasizing that the question of who deserves the right to vote is continuously changing and is a subject of intense debate within the larger national discourse on democracy and civic engagement.

SPEAKERS

Nicole Austin-Hillery President & CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

Representative Hank Johnson, U.S. House of Representatives

SESSION 1

Unmasking Voter Suppression: Gerrymandering and the Shadow of Political Violence Against Black Communities

11:00 AM–12:00 PM

SESSION OVERVIEW

In southern states, the effects of gerrymandering on Black communities are starkly depicted, shaping their representation, political influence, and policy outcomes. This practice involves dispersing Black voters across multiple districts to weaken their collective voting power. Consequently, it becomes challenging for Black communities to elect representatives who truly advocate for their interests and concerns. Georgia has an extensive history of discrimination against Black voters. Following the 1868 presidential election, which marked the inaugural participation of Black Georgians in the electoral process, a significant portion of the state’s Black legislators encountered severe forms of repression. A quarter of the state’s Black elected officials were either jailed, threatened, beaten, or killed, highlighting the brutal reality of political violence that has historically targeted Black voices striving for representation. Today, Georgia—which boasts a Black population of 32.3%—is undergoing a redistricting process that may lead to the loss of congressional seats for certain members, underscoring the stakes involved. During this session, panelists will explore voter suppression mechanisms, notably gerrymandering, and broader voting restriction laws, and tactics, shedding light on the enduring legacy of political violence against Black communities.

Moderator:

Yterenickia “YT” Bell, Georgia State Director, Southern Poverty Law Center

Panelists:

Cliff Albright, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Black Voters Matter Fund

Helen Butler, Executive Director, Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda

Nicole Robinson, Political and Research Director, Fair Fight Action

LUNCH AND VOTING/ACTIVISM FAIR

12:10 PM–1:50 PM EST

SESSION 2

Unlocking the Ballot Box: Restoring Voting Rights Through Criminal Justice Reform

2:05 PM–3:05 PM

SESSION OVERVIEW

As of 2023, only Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. uphold the right to vote for individuals with felony convictions in the United States. Projections for 2024 indicate that over 5.8 million convicted Americans will face disenfranchisement, with Black Americans comprising 40% of this population. The act of voting not only constitutes a fundamental democratic right but also serves as a vital mechanism for rehabilitation and societal reintegration. Empowering individuals to actively participate in the electoral process fosters a sense of accountability and community engagement. In this session, panelists will explore the racial disparities inherent in voting disenfranchisement and advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system. Furthermore, the collaboration between grassroots organizations, policymakers, and legal advocates will be highlighted as essential for driving momentum towards meaningful reform efforts.

Moderator:

Fallon McClure, Deputy Director, Policy & Advocacy, ACLU of Georgia

Panelists:

Kareemah Hanifa, Lead Community Organizer, IMAN Atlanta

John Paul Taylor, Senior Campaign Strategist-Rights Restoration, Advancement Project

Ahmed Soussi, Senior Staff Attorney, Southern Poverty Law Center

SESSION 3

Uncovering Technology’s Impact on Future Elections and Civic Engagement

3:15 PM–4:15 PM

SESSION OVERVIEW

In the landscape of future elections, technology and media stand as potent forces, capable of shaping the trajectory of civic engagement within the Black community. A 2020 survey found that Black American social media users were among the most likely to use those platforms for activities related to causes and issues. The influence of technology and media extends beyond virtual realms, as online activism frequently translates into tangible offline action. However, amidst the positive momentum, challenges persist. In 2020, a viral video of a Black man telling other Black people not to vote was shared over 23,000 times on Facebook alone. Further, the confluence of generative technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), means that deep fakes and other forms of misinformation can proliferate across media platforms. These examples highlight the nuanced interplay between technology and civic discourse. During this session, panelists will delve into the profound influence of technology on the future landscape of elections and civic participation within the Black community. From social media platforms to emerging digital tools, technology shapes how individuals engage with political processes and advocate for change. Panelists will further explore how Black Americans can utilize technology to amplify their voices, mobilize communities, and drive meaningful action; and discuss strategies for leveraging technology to combat disinformation and strengthen the democratic process.

Moderator:

Darrell Booker, Corporate Affairs Specialist, Microsoft

Panelists:

Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean, President, Fair Count

Esosa Osa, Founder & CEO, Onyx Impact

CLOSING REMARKS

4:15 PM–4:30 PM

Olajumoke Obayanju, Sr. Director, NREI

9:00 AM–2:00PM

CHARTING PROGRESS: VOTING & ACTIVISM FAIR

Interested in learning more about social justice advocacy or voting rights reform? During onsite registration and lunchtime, social justice and voting activists and organizations will be stationed around the room. Participants can engage directly with leaders to discover their impactful work, gain insights into pressing issues, and explore actionable ways to join the movement for social justice and voting rights reform.

At the fair, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the history of voting rights and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

• Explore interactive exhibits and displays showcasing the importance of voting and activism in shaping our democracy.

• Connect with local organizations working to register voters, educate communities, and advocate for policies that expand access to the ballot box.

• Engage in hands-on activities and initiatives designed to empower you to take action and make a difference in your community.

Participating Organizations

ACLU of GA

All Voting is Local Black Voters Matter Fund

Common Cause Georgia Fair Count Fair Fight Action

Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda

Georgia Justice Project

Georgia Muslim Voter Project

Georgia Stand Up Movement 4 Black Lives

New Georgia Project Action Fund

REFORM Alliance

RISE

Southern Poverty Law Center

Women on the Rise

Xceleader

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER

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REMARKS AND PERFORMANCE

Representative Steven Horsford is a proven champion for Nevada’s working families. In the 118th Congress, he is committed to crushing the coronavirus, getting Nevada’s economy back on track, and restoring public faith in American institutions.

Rep. Horsford understands the challenges many families in Nevada’s Fourth face each and everyday. He fights for responsible gun control and background checks. He lost his father when he was 19 and empathizes with those who have experienced the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence. His work has focused on ending the school to prison pipeline and provide the safety net children and families need to succeed. He has worked to strengthen children, families and communities because these are priorities for so many Nevadans.

For more than a decade, Rep. Horsford led the Culinary Training Academy, the largest job training program in Nevada, helping thousands of workers find quality careers in the hospitality industry. An unique partnership between labor and business, the Culinary Training Academy under Rep. Horsford’s leadership placed over 80 percent of graduates into good paying jobs and completed a multi-million capital construction campaign.

Rep. Horsford made history as Nevada’s first African-American State Senate Majority Leader and he delivered. He passed the “Clean Energy Jobs Initiative” and positioned Nevada as a leader in renewable energy. When Nevada’s economy was devastated during the recession, Rep. Horsford worked across party lines to solve the worst budget crisis in state history.

While previously representing Nevadans in our nation’s capital, Rep. Horsford worked to ensure veterans, seniors citizens, and all Nevadans received the benefits they deserved, authored and passed the Nevada Lands Bill to create jobs across the state, and fought to protect a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions.

Most recently a small business owner, in partnership with Intel, Horsford worked to bring the first of its kind workforce development program for youth and young adults to North Las Vegas. He helped to launch a food recovery program with Three Square and major employers like MGM Resorts to address food insecurity among needy children, families and seniors. He brings a principled focus on job creation, community development and skills development to Congress. Born and raised in Las Vegas to an immigrant mother, Rep. Horsford has worked hard to raise and nurture his three children.

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Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell is in her sixth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. She is one of the first women elected to Congress from Alabama in her own right and is the first black woman to ever serve in the Alabama Congressional delegation. Congresswoman Sewell sits on the exclusive House Ways and Means Committee and brings to the committee her more than 15 years of experience as a securities and public finance attorney. Currently, in the 117th Congress, she serves as a member of the House Ways & Means Committee where she sits on three subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Health; the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures; and the Subcommittee on Social Security. In her short time in Congress, Sewell has held several leadership positions including Freshman Class President in the 112th Congress. In the 117th Congress, she was selected by the Democratic Whip James Clyburn to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip, and sits on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus. Congresswoman Sewell is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus where she is Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Task Force. She is a member of the New Democrat Coalition; Co-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus; Vice-Chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus; and Co-Chair of the Rural Caucus.

Dr. Jonathan Cox is the Vice President, Center Policy Analysis & Research (CPAR) at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Inc (CBCF). The Vice President will develop world-class public policy and research strategies for the CBCF and the work it undertakes to eliminate disparities in the global Black community. He understands that the African American community is not monolithic and as such, public policy analyses and research should address the diverse interests of this community.

Dr. Jonathan Cox is a public scholar and educator, with 20 years of instructional and administrative experience across public and private K-12 and postsecondary institutions. As a culturallyresponse leader and mentor, Jonathan works to provide inclusive environments and promotes the development of the whole self as a tool for uplift and liberation.

Prior to joining CBCF, Jonathan was an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on racial and social inequalities, primarily studying the impacts of racism in the United States. He has published

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in numerous academic journals on topics related to racial and ethnic identities, racial ideologies, the experiences of college students, diversity and inclusion processes in corporate America, and discrimination and racial disparities in health for Black Americans. Prior to his work as a faculty member, Jonathan worked as the Assistant Director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Wake Forest University. In this role he coordinated and implemented social and inter-cultural programs and events, academic intervention and support initiatives, and student leadership development programs for underrepresented students and the entire university community.

As an engaged public scholar, Jonathan regularly gives invited talks and makes media appearances, providing evidence-based commentary and insights on topics like policing in America, systemic racism, issues of social justice, and educational inequalities. He has served twice at the request of Orange County (Orlando, FL) Mayor Jerry Demings on the Citizens Safety Task Force, most recently as the Chair of the Prosecution Subcommittee, providing recommendations for Orange County social services, law enforcement, and judicial affairs towards reducing gun violence and violent crime. Through this work, Jonathan helped guide policy and funding recommendations that support and fund local grassroots organizations, provide mentoring and community-based programming for youth, create diversion programs, and increase investment in mental and behavioral health for youth and families in the Orlando area. Jonathan also regularly consults with various organizations across public and private sectors, providing expertise related to his research areas.

Jonathan is a proud graduate of Hampton University, earning Bachelor of Science dual degrees in Health and Physical Education. He also holds an M.Ed. in college student affairs from the Pennsylvania State University, and an M.A and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Jonathan is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Beta Chi chapter (Hampton University). He enjoys staying active, musical performance, is an amateur chef and foodie, and loves spending time with his wife and daughter.

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Olajumoke “Jummy” Obayanju is the Sr. Director of the National Racial Equity Initiative (NREI) for Social Justice at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF). She oversees and manages the NREI to maximize its visibility and sustainability; ensures the implementation of program objectives and initiatives; and focuses on advancing racial equity, human rights, education, and economic development opportunities for the African American community. Prior to joining CBCF, Jummy was the Racial Justice & Juvenile Defense Fellow at the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative. In this role, she worked to improve the systems D.C. youth encounter through policy reform, developed resources to help juvenile defenders incorporate racial justice arguments into their youth advocacy, and created training materials on strategies to identify and correct racial bias. Upon completing law school, Jummy served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Craig Iscoe in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. A passionate advocate for educational equity, Jummy began her career as a middle school teacher in Charlotte, NC, where she taught 8th grade math and Algebra. Jummy received her B.A. in Communications from Howard University, her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School, and her LL.M in Advocacy from the Georgetown University Law Center. Jummy is a member of the Maryland State Bar and currently serves as Chair of the GW Law Public Interest Advisory Council.

Nia Bennett is a current scholar with the Veritas School of Social Sciences, a pre-collegiate program that teaches students debate through philosophy, politics, and rhetoric. The Veritas Debate Institute culminates in a Harvard Summer Residency debate competition where students study at Harvard for two weeks, being taught by professors from Harvard, Oxford, and Yale. The residency culminates in a debate competition where Veritas scholars compete against students from all over the world. The Veritas Debate Institute has won this competition for six years in a row and plans on making this year a 7th win, when they go to compete again in just a few weeks! Nia is a scholar and dynamic speaker who has been sharpening her craft of public speaking and rhetoric as an honors student at a performing art’s high school. She is passionate about education, global studies, and bringing awareness of the rich and diverse stories of marginalized communities to others, through creative writing and storytelling. Nia believes that her voice is one of the most powerful weapons she has, and it is her responsibility, our responsibility, to use our voice to promote social change.

FIRESIDE CHAT

Nicole Austin-Hillery is the President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Prior to her start with the foundation Ms. Austin-Hillery was the Executive Director of the US Program at Human Rights Watch. In this role, Ms. AustinHillery led Human Rights Watch’s efforts to end violations in abusive systems within the United States. Her work focuses on addressing and combatting systemic racism, improving the U.S. immigration system, tackling rights problems within the domestic criminal justice system and advocating for policies to address poverty and inequality informed by international human rights standards. Prior to joining Human Rights Watch, Ms. AustinHillery was the first Director and Counsel of The Brennan Center’s Washington, D.C. office which she opened in March 2008. At the Brennan Center, she oversaw the growth and development of the Center’s advocacy and policy development work in Washington and served as its chief representative before Congress and the Executive Branch.

In his ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District—which encompasses parts of DeKalb and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County— Congressman Hank Johnson has distinguished himself as a substantive, effective lawmaker and a leading national progressive voice. Named one of the most effective Democrats in Congress by a University of Virginia and University of Vanderbilt study, Rep. Johnson has proven his ability to get things done. A senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Johnson has introduced, co-sponsored and passed legislation to level the playing field for everyday Americans. His bills that protect consumers and citizens’ civil liberties include the FAIR Act and the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act (SMLEA). SMLEA is part of the historic George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was the Congressional Black Caucus’s response to police and vigilante violence against African Americans across the country.

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SESSION 1: UNMASKING VOTER SUPPRESSION: GERRYMANDERING AND THE SHADOW OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK COMMUNITIES

Yterenickia “YT” Bell (she/her) is currently the Georgia State Office Director at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Previously, she held the role of the Senior Director, And Still I Vote for the Leadership Conference Education Fund and the National Organizing Director at Care in Action/National Domestic Workers Alliance supervising the state directors and program managers in seven core states, while developing electoral and legislative strategy for state and federal campaigns. She is a native Georgian and graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political Science and a Master’s in Social Work and Public Administration with a focus in Economic Development and Planning. Bell has worked as a social worker and public policy professional serving vulnerable communities and solving complex problems for over a decade. She is also a Councilwoman in the City of Clarkston, Georgia.

Cliff Albright is a 2020 Soros Equality Fellow and co-founder and Executive Director of Black Voters Matter Fund (and BVM Capacity Building Institute) which builds community and organizational capacity related to Black voting power. BVM received national attention in 2017 when they helped mobilize Black voters during the U.S. Senate race between Doug Jones and Roy Moore. Since then, Cliff and the BVM team have traveled throughout twenty primarily southern states in “The Blackest Bus in America” energizing voters and exposing voter suppression. He and his team recently played a critical role in the 2020 election cycle, including the historic Georgia runoff elections for U.S. Senate. Cliff was also at the forefront of the battle for voting rights legislation throughout 2021, during which he was personally arrested five times while engaging in non-violent civil disobedience.

Cliff has served as an instructor of African-American Studies at several universities, and he has contributed articles to and been featured on the following outlets: CNN, MSNBC, ABC, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Politico and more.

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Helen Butler, as executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples’ Agenda (People’s Agenda), carries the mantle of the organization’s late founder, civil rights luminary Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. During her tenure she has expanded the membership base of human rights, civil rights, environmental, labor, women, and youth groups to over seventy organizations across the state. In keeping with the People’s Agenda’s commitment to improving the quality of life for communities of color, Butler has formed strategic alliances with other leaders and cultivated relationships with elected officials from the Georgia Capitol to the nation’s Capital in D.C.

A former board member of the Morgan County Board of Elections, Butler was appointed in 2013 to serve on the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights as a member of the Georgia Advisory Committee and also serves on the City of Atlanta’s 2020 Complete Count Committee and the State Civic Engagement Table’s Complete Count Committee. She most recently provided testimony at the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee’s Hearing on Voting Rights in June 2021 and at the United States Senate Rules Hearing on Voting Rights in July 2021.

Nicole Robinson is a political nerd, a passionate advocate for change, and a proud Georgian, guided by her desire to build political power for marginalized communities in the South. Nicole got her start in politics when she served as the first Black woman Bill Reader in the history of the Georgia State Senate. During this time, Nicole saw first hand the harms done to Georgians, particularly Black and brown Georgians, at the state level. This experience motivated Nicole to focus on creating change at the state level. Currently, Nicole is the Political Director at Fair Fight Action, a voting rights organization based in Georgia. In her current role, Nicole advocates for free and fair elections at the local, state, and national level. Prior to joining Fair Fight Action, Nicole served as a policy analyst for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia where she advocated for criminal legal system reform, First Amendment rights, and voting rights. Prior to this, through her work on political campaigns and at different nonprofit organizations, Nicole worked to recruit, support, and elect progressive candidates at the local and state level in Georgia.

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SESSION 2: UNLOCKING THE BALLOT BOX: RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS THROUGH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Kareemah Hanifa is a Muslim native of Charleston, South Carolina though she has spent the majority of her life in the State of Georgia. Kareemah comes from a large blended family of 16 siblings. She is currently working on her Masters in Positive Psychology and Life Coaching at Life University in Marietta, Georgia. Kareemah is a life coach, youth advocate, Criminal Justice Reform advocate, and Reentry Consultant.

Kareemah is a Toast Masters Gavel Club member. Some of her speaking engagements include speaking at Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice forums, Candler School of Theology Certificate Graduation, Faith and Character Graduation, and Ending Mass Incarceration 3-day workshop at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Her most prestigious speaking engagement was at Tedx Decatur at Emory University 2019, Atlanta, Georgia. Kareemah is a Life Skills Coach and taught her framework JOAT at Purpose Built Schools Atlanta during Spring Semester 2020. She is a GACHEP board member, EdTrust Fellow, 2023 Represent Justice Ambassador, and and a 2023 John Lewis Good Trouble Award Nominee. She is currently employed as the Lead Community Organizer.

Fallon McClure is the Deputy Director for Policy & Advocacy. She leads the ACLU of Georgia’s policy and advocacy work in the First Amendment, privacy and criminal justice spaces. Prior to the ACLU of Georgia, Fallon was a Criminal Justice Strategist for the Working Families Party where she advised coalitions and oversaw electoral work for legal elected offices across the nation. Fallon is a Georgia native, and she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in History from Georgia State University and a Juris Doctorate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Ahmed Soussi is a Senior Staff Attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center where he defends voting rights in Louisiana and Mississippi. Ahmed is graduate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University, and Arizona State University.

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John Paul Taylor, father of two daughters and a native of Birmingham, Alabama, embodies the concept “be the change you want to see in the world.”

John Paul currently serves as the Senior Campaign Strategy Associate-Rights Restoration at the Advancement Project to build their National Rights Restoration campaign. Taylor served as the 1st Rights Restoration Field Director for the Southern Poverty Law, covering Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. He began this work as the North Region Outreach Fellow, Alabama Voting Rights Project (AVRP), a collaboration between the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C.

John Paul is co-founder of Real Life Poets, a 501-(c)3 non-profit community service organization focusing on mentoring young people and encouraging good communication and oratorical skills using spoken word poetry and the arts. Taylor’s passion for empowering young people and for using the arts inspires youth of all ages. Taylor appreciates all the opportunities to connect with many community leaders and organizations.

SESSION 3: UNCOVERING TECHNOLOGY’S IMPACT ON FUTURE ELECTIONS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Darrell Booker is a visionary servant leader, renowned for his role as a disruptive technologist and tireless champion of global non-profit initiatives. He stands at the helm of one of Microsoft’s most ambitious philanthropic endeavors, the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration (NTA) for African American communities. Under his guidance, NTA has blossomed into a nationwide force, empowering nearly 3,000 non-profits with cutting-edge digital technology and invaluable consulting services, all aimed at advancing their mission-critical objectives while fostering racial equity. With a career deeply rooted in technology and corporate philanthropy, Booker’s influence extends beyond the boardroom. He is the creative force behind Part One of Microsoft’s impactful docuseries, “Our America: In the Black,” now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. This groundbreaking series follows Booker and a cadre of financial experts as they navigate the landscape of racial wealth inequality, illuminating the triumphs and challenges faced by Black communities striving for financial success amidst systemic barriers. Booker’s journey in the tech industry began at a remarkably young age, and his accolades as an award-winning.

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Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean is the President at Fair Count, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, founded by Stacey Abrams. Fair Count’s goal is to ensure that every person in Georgia and the nation is counted for a fair and accurate census and to build pathways to continued civic participation, including voting and redistricting. Jeanine is a highly skilled researcher with over 20 years of experience conducting population-based studies and projects, and she has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications.

At Fair Count, she has led the creation of statistically-relevant census undercount maps of all 50 states with a focus on Black and Latinx communities and advocated for community-driven solutions through the pairing of researchers and organizers. She is widely renowned for championing the voices of the rural South, earning her a seat on the Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee. Jeanine was recently selected for the 2023 Keseb Democracy Fellowship, which focuses on cross-country learning with democracy entrepreneurs from the United States, Brazil, and South Africa.

Esosa Osa is the Founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, an organization created to better serve and empower Black communities by fighting the harmful information ecosystems targeting them. Esosa was previously Deputy Executive Director of Fair Fight Action, a voting rights organization, where she led pro-democracy reform efforts with a focus on combating adverse messaging and voting policy reform while overseeing the organization’s research, communications, political, and organizing teams.

Prior to her time in politics, Esosa was a Portfolio Manager at BlackRock— where she managed a wide array of fixed income products and analyzed monetary and fiscal policy. Esosa is a native Ohioan and a graduate of Duke University.

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 Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)

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)

1ST 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)

Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ)

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)

Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)

Representative Anthony Brown (MD)

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 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)

2ND 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

LaDavia Drane

Amazon

Noni Ellison Tractor Supply Company

Pamela Everhart Fidelity Investments

Pamela G. Alexander KKR Isaac Fordjour Walgreens

Rep. Joyce Beatty

U.S. House of Representatives

Tellis Bethel Toyota Motor North America

Quita Highsmith, MBA Genentech

Felicia Hale The Coca-Cola Company

Courtney Billington Johnson & Johnson

Natalie Brunson-Wheeler State Farm Insurance Companies

Dale Burnett BIG Equirt Investors LLC

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

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

CAC CHAIRPERSON

John Mason Altria

Ex Officio

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Corporate Advisory Council

CHAIRPERSON

John Mason

Altria

Sanders L. Adu

Wells Fargo

LaKeitha Anderson

Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck

Kevin J. Armstrong

Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Keenan Austin Reed

Alpine Group

Rontel Batie

Batie Consulting

Benjamin Branch

Tristan R. Breaux

Tyson Foods

Zoe Cadore

Calpine

Kwame Canty

Edison Electric Institute

Patrick Edmond CSX Corporation

Chachavious English Ford Motor Company

Fenimore Fisher Aramark Corporation

Heather Foster Lyft Inc.

Karis T. Gutter Corteva Agriscience

Phil A. Hancock

Norfolk Southern

Ashley Hayes

Charter Communications

Edward W. Hill ViacomCBS (Paramount)

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Corporate Advisory Council

Cory C. Horton Taft Advisors

Mervyn L. Jones II

MLJ Strategies

Francesca Jordan Dell Technologies

Jackie Kelly, Jr. FedEx Corporation

Adrienne Marks Visa

Waldo McMillan

Cisco

Chris Randle