CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION 53RD ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE TAKE–ACTION GUIDE
PRODUCED BY THE CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH
ThankyouforattendingtheCongressionalBlackCaucusFoundation’s(CBCF)53rdAnnualLegislative Conference.
AsaFoundation,werecognizethatconveningsandconferencesofthissortsometimesfallshortoftranslatinginto actionablechange.However,withsuchrichandmeaningfuldiscussionsthattakeplaceacrosstheAnnualLegislative Conferenceweekend,ourpolicyandresearchteamhascraftedthisTake-ActionGuideforparticipantstofollowupon theimpactfulconversationsduringoursessions.Formorewaystogetinvolvedandtolearnhowtotakeactioninyour communities,pleaseview,save,andshareourpost-AnnualLegislativeConferenceTake-ActionGuide.
Empowering Black Fathers to be Allies for Black Maternal Health
INFORMATION
Despitepervasivenegative stereotypes,Blackfathersarethe mostengagedcomparedtoother racialgroups,accordingtoa2013 report bytheCentersforDisease ControlandPrevention(CDC).
RESOURCE
Organization:4Kira4Moms -Fightsforimprovedmaternaloutcomes throughadvocacyandcoalitionbuilding,educatesthepublicabout theimpactofmaternalmortalityincommunities,providespeersupport tovictims’families,andpromotestheideathatmaternalmortality shouldbeviewedanddiscussedasahumanrightsissue.
Website:CentersforMedicare&MedicaidServices(CMS) Officeof MinorityHealth -Offersacomprehensivesourceofinformationon eliminatinghealthdisparitiesandimprovingthehealthofpeoplefrom allminoritypopulations,includingracialandethnicminorities,people withdisabilities,membersoftheLGBTQ+community,andmore.
Website:CDC SocialDeterminantsofHealth (SDOH)-Nonmedical factorsthatinfluencehealthoutcomes.
Policy:Massachusettspasseda groundbreakingbill thatrequires MassHealthtocoverdoulaandmidwiferyservicesandmandates insurancecoverageforpostpartumdepressionscreenings.
ACTION
Advocateforaccesstomentalhealthservicesandincreasedscreeningsforbothmothersandfathers. Advocateforpaidparentalleave. Fathersareencouragedtoshowupanddemandcarefortheirpartnersbefore,during,andafterthebirthing process.
Considertheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofallbirthingoptions:midwifery,doula,andhospitalbirths.
From 2020 to 2024: Addressing the Impacts of Technology on the Election
INFORMATION
Micro-targeting:Theuseofonlinedatatotailor advertisingmessagestoindividualsbasedon theidentificationoftheirpersonalvulnerabilities
Politicalorganizationspaypeoplewithlarge socialmediafollowingstoinfluencetheelection Itisnotonlyartificialintelligence(AI)youshould becautiousofwhenconsuminginformation online.
Therearestillnocomprehensivegovernment regulationsthatprotectcitizensfromtheharms ofAI
AIallowsforthecloningofvoice,text,and image,andacombinationofallthree
ACTION
LearnaboutAIandadvocateforregulations.
RESOURCE
Book:DigitallyInvisible:HowtheInternetIs CreatingtheNewUnderclassbyDr Nicol TurnerLee
Policy:The“OnlineCivilRightsAct”model legislationdraftedbytheLawyers’Committee forCivilRightsUnderLawwilladdressthe discriminatoryoutcomes,bias,andharm arisingfromalgorithmicsystems,whichform thebasisofartificialintelligenceproductsand largelanguagemodels.
Policy:TheBidenAdministration’sExecutive OrderontheSafe,Secure,andTrustworthy DevelopmentandUseofArtificialIntelligence
TheBlackcommunityneedstogetinvolvedearlytoinfluenceAItechnologyasitprogresses. AdvocateforactuallawsandregulationstoprotectcitizensfromtheharmsofAI. Usethesievemethodwhenconsuminginformationonline Firstslowdown,stop,andinvestigatethe source Viraldoesnotmeanverified Iftheinformationisaccurate,youwillfinditinseveraldifferent trustworthysources
Building Power: Black Youth from Protest to Policy
INFORMATION
Inrecentyears,therehasbeenasurgeincivic engagementamongyoungBlackpeople They areincreasinglyengagedinactivismandsocial justicecauses.Moreover,youthvoterturnout washigherin2020than2016.
Socialmediaandonlineadvocacyhave transformedthewayBlackyouthengageincivic activism,whichhasbenefitsandchallenges: Benefits:Accesstoawidearrayof informationandgreaterorganizational capabilities(eg,cross-nationalmobilization andactivation)
Challenges:Difficultytranslatingonline communitytoreallife,aswellas differentiatingbetweeninformationand disinformation somethingdigitalliteracycan helpwith
ACTION
EngageBlackYouth!
RESOURCE
Organizations: BlackMenBuild
ChildrenDefenseFund
CollegeDemocratsofAmerica
MovementforBlackLives
NAACPYouthPrograms
SPEAR:ShowingPoliticalEngag
Responsibility
YouthMentoringActionNetwo
TalktoBlackyouthaboutvotingandhowitinfluencespolicy,whichimpactstheirperson lives
MeetBlackyouthwheretheyare,acceptthemastheyare,engageinauthenticconvers andprovidethemwithmoreopportunitiestogetinvolved Organizeandbecomecivicallyengaged!
Usesocialmediaforadvocacywork:makeclearcallstoactionandidentifyconcretestep take
LookoutforAI-generatedcontentanddeepfakesandcalloutonlinedisinformation Diver newsfeedtoprotectagainstmisinformation Prioritizeself-careandprotectyourenergy.Restcanberevolutionary.Thereisnoliberatio Changeismadethroughincrementalprogress.Insteadoffocusingongettingeverything yourintentionsanddecidewhatyouaregoingtoconquerthatday
CreatemoresafespacesforBlackmentoengagewithpasttrauma,reclaimcommunity, health
NationalTownHall
DefiningtheMoment:TheThreattoDemocracy
INFORMATION
In2024,350billsrestrictingvotingrightswere enactedacrossmanystates.
Reproductivebansin22statesaffecthalfofall women,includingoverhalfofBlackwomen
Stateswithreproductivebanshaveseena10% dropinOBGYNresidencymatches,includinga 20%declineinAlabama,withfewerenteringthe professionoverall
RESOURCE
Policy:TheFreedomtoVoteActandJohnR LewisVotingRightsActareessentialtoprotect votingrightsforall.
ACTION
Believeinyourownpowertocreatechangethroughvoting. Votetohelpshapethepoliciesthatimpactyourlife,includingthecrucialissueofreproductivefreedom. Holdlegislatorsaccountableandvotepeopleoutwhodonotliveuptotheirpromises. AdvocateforpolicychangesthatadvanceBlackcommunities,suchasstudentloanforgivenessand fundingforHBCUs
National Town Hall
Closing the Wealth Gap and Saving the Future
INFORMATION
Thewhite-Blackwealthgapwidenedfrom8:1inthe1960stoover12:1today
Blackcommunitiesoftenhavebelowaveragecreditscores,drivenbypaydaylender stores,andsubprimelendingpractices
Wealth-buildingpolicieshistoricallyexcludedBlackpeople: HeadrightsAct:LandgrantsforEuropeansettlersinthe13colonies. HomesteadAct(1862):20%ofwhitefamiliescantracetheirwealthtolandreceiv VALoansinMississippi:Only3outof3,000loanswenttoBlackveterans.
AppraisalbiascostsBlackhomeowners$156billion;manymust"whitewash"homesf
TheuseofAIinhousingapplicationsperpetuatesbias,furtheringinequality
Smallbusinessesdrive50%oftheUS economy;limitingaccesstocapitaldisruptsth stabilityofBlackcommunities
Housingdrives20%oftheUS economy;7in10futurehomeownerswillbepeopleof requiresspecialcreditprogramsanddown-paymentassistanceforfirst-generationb
TheOneMillionBlackBusinessesInitiativehascreated450,000Blackbusinessessince murder,accountingfor4%ofallBlackbusinessesintheUS However,Blackbusinesses systemicchallenges
ACTION
SupportthebuildingofBlackwealth!
Prioritizefinancialliteracydiscussionstoarmfuturegenerationswithknowledgeand policychanges
ShiftBlackeconomicpowerfromconsumption-focusedtoownership-driventobuildlastingcommunity wealth
Advocateforrace-consciousstrategiesthathistoricallybuiltwhitewealthtonowcreateaninclusive middleclass.
Bemindfulofspending-supportBlackbusinessesandcommunitieswheneverpossible.
Diversifying and Strengthening the Health Workforce
INFORMATION
Researchshowsthatthelevelof representationinhealthcareisdirectly linkedtohealthoutcomesinBlack communities However,only12%of registerednursesand57%ofdoctors areBlack
Over75%ofBlacknursessayracismin theworkplaceaffectstheirmental health.Theyexperiencehigherjob dissatisfactionandaremorelikelyto leavetheprofessionthantheirwhite counterparts
TheDr LornaBreenHeroesFoundation helpshealthcarefacilitiesimplement policiesusingdiversepersonnelwithin thehealthcaresystemwhohavelived experienceoftheseissues
RESOURCE
Organization:CaringforCaregivers-Dr LornaBreen HeroesFoundation-Buildslearningcommunitiesto assisthealthcareorganizationsinimproving workplacepoliciesandpracticesthatreduceburnout, normalizehelp-seeking,andstrengthenprofessional wellbeing
Policy:Dr.LornaBreenHealthCareProviderProtection Act-Supportshealthworkers’mentalhealthand wellbeing.AdvocatesurgeCongresstoreauthorizeit sothatitsprogramscancontinue,andhealthworkers cangetthesupporttheydesperatelyneedand deserve
Program:NurseFellowship|Johnson&Johnson Nursing-Aone-year,team-basednursingfellowship forChiefNursingOfficers(CNO),nurseexecutives, andseniornurseleaders
Program:NursePractitionerEntrepreneurProgram| Johnson&JohnsonNursing-Year-long,hybrid learningentrepreneurdevelopmentprogram
Organization:GreensboroHealthDisparities Collaborative-Establishesstructuresandprocesses thatrespondto,empower,andfacilitatecommunities indefiningandresolvingissuesrelatedtodisparitiesin health
ACTION
HealthcareProviders:Championamorediverseworkforce! GetinvolvedinyouralmamaterbyservingontheBoardofVisitorsoronanadmissions panel
Participateinthehiringcommitteeatyourworkplacetohelpensurethatdiversestudents enterthepipeline
SupportyoungstudentsinterestedinSTEMandoffermentorshiptoolderstudents interestedinmedicine.
Mobilizing Equity: Advancing Sustainable Transportation in Black Communities
INFORMATION
TheInfrastructureInvestmentandJobsAct(IIJA) representsasignificantamountofnewfunding fornewinfrastructureandjobcompetitiveness: $350billion Thismoneyisbeingutilizedto supportactivetransportationandtoshapeand reshapecommunitiesbyprovidingaccessto jobsandessentialservices.
TheFederalHighwayAdministrationhas17 programsthatfallundertheJustice40Initiative, aninitiativefromtheBiden-HarrisAdministration thatensuresthatatleast40%ofprogramsand grantswillmakeadifferenceindisadvantaged communities
CyclingisnotaspopularasitcouldbeinBlack communitiesbecauseof“arrestedmobility” whenBlackandbrowncommunities’mobilityhas beenlimitedduetothelocationofplanned facilitiesandover-policingpractices
TheWashingtonMetroandCapitalBikeshare programisoneofthemostequitableinthe countrybecauseofitsfocusonlocalresidents Incontrast,inequitableprogramstypicallytarget tourists
ACTION
Demandequitableinfrastructure.
Joinyourlocalplanningboard
RESOURCE
Report:WalkingtheTalk?EmpoweringBlack CommunitiesthroughInclusiveActive Transportation(SallyAyuk,TransportationEquity Fellow,CongressionalBlackCaucusFoundation)
Organizations: BlackGirlsDoBike,Inc. EquitableCities
FederalResources: USDepartmentofTranspo BipartisanInfrastructur ComingTogetherforEq PromisingPracticesfor InvolvementinTranspo Making SafeStreetsandRoad GrantProgram FederalHighwayAdministr Planningresourcesfor WhiteHouse: Justice40Initiative InflationReductionAct
Raiseawarenessoftheconcernsofruralcommunities
Callonyourlocalgovernmenttorepairbrokensidewalks,putintrails,andensuretraffic accessibletopeoplewithdisabilities
Advocateforlanduse,housingrights,andenvironmentaljustice
1 Step Forward and 3 Steps Back: The Unraveling of Criminal Justice Reform
INFORMATION
ArecentreportbyMovement4BlackLives (M4BL)foundthat67%ofBlackpeoplewantto seeinvestmentsinpublichealthsolutionsand mentalhealthsupporttoincreasecommunity safetyratherthantopolice TheBlack communityhasamorefavorableviewofthis issuethantheydidin2020,duetotheworkof activistslikeM4BL.
Grassrootsorganizationsinnearly20citiesare pushingtoshiftcitybudgetsawayfrompolice departmentsandintoalternativefirst respondersformentalcrises.
90%ofcriminalcasesoccuratthestatelevel
Blackpeopleare35timesmorelikelythanwhite peopletobekilledbypolicewhentheyare unarmed
From2015-2019,over$2billiondollarsof taxpayermoneywaspaidouttosettlelawsuits forpolicemisconductnationally
ACTION
Standupforjustice!
RESOURCE
Organization:M4BL-Createdasaspacefor Blackorganizationsacrossthecountryto debateanddiscussthecurrentpolitical conditions,developsharedassessmentsof whatpoliticalinterventionsw ordertoachievekeypolicy,c politicalwins
Organization:TheAmericanIn Research(AIR)-Conductsbe socialscienceresearchand assistancetosolvesomeof challengesintheU.S.andaro Theirworkisrootedinthebe holdsopportunitiestocloset byinjustice
Changeyourmindset.Movepastangerandshowpeoplewhocommitcrimesmercy. Toensurethatcriminaljusticereformispassed,lookbeyondthepoliticalparties,andre candidates’policies.
Advocatetochangetheaccountabilitystructureforpoliceofficerssothatthemoney misconductsettlementsdoesnotcomefromstatebudgets. Advocateformoreresources,notmorepolice.Thesafestcommunitieshavestablehou transportation,well-litstreets,accesstoeducation,food,mentalhealthcare,andjobtra
ALCSpotlight
HighontheHog:ExploringBlackFoodTraditionstoImproveBlackHealth
INFORMATION
ThefoodtraditionsofAfricanAmericansand thoseoftheAfricandiasporadidnotstartwith scrapsThosegroupswerebroughttothe UnitedStatesfortheirhusbandry,agricultural knowledge,abilitytoworkwithindigoanddye, andplantrice
Thereisamuchlargereconomyaroundourfood systembeyondrestaurantsandgrocerystores WhileBlackchefshavecreatedmanyiconic dishes,racismandculturalappropriationhave preventedthemfromproperaccreditationand reapingthebenefitsoftheiringenuity.
Foodinsecurityisajusticeandeconomicissue.
ACTION
RESOURCE
Organization:DreamingOutLoud-Dreaming OutLoudisafarm,foodhub,andincubator. Theirmissionistocreateeconomic opportunitiesfortheDCmetroregion’s marginalizedcommunitiesthroughbuildinga healthy,equitablefoodsystem
Organization:WANDA-WomenAdvancing Nutrition,DieteticsandAgriculture(WANDA)isa Blackwomen-ledsocialjusticenonprofitthatis workingtoensurethatamillionwomenandgirls haveaccesstofoodsystemseducation, advocacy,andinnovativeskillstoimprovetheir livesandtransformtheircommunitiesfromfarm tohealthby2030.
Bepresent,engaged,andinvolvedtomakesureBlackhistoryandfoodtraditionsaresustainedand thrive
Beinnovative!Growyourownfoodonyourbalconyoryourwindowsill Shiftyourmindsetfromfoodscarcityandfoodimpoverishmenttonourishmentandenjoyment. Digitizerecipesandsharethemwithfamilymemberssothatyoucanpassthemdownthroughthe generations.
National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI)
Activism Unleashed: Digital Media for Social Justice
INFORMATION
AccordingtoPewResearchCenter,social mediausageamong18–29-year-oldsisas follows:
Instagram:71%
TikTok:62%
X(FormerlyTwitter):45%
Digitalplatformshavetransformedtraditional methodsofsocialjusticeadvocacyand activismbyprovidinganewforumforpeople toreceiveinformation
Socialmediaallowsustotapintonewartists andinfluencersthatyoungpeopleare interestedinandhelpmeetpeoplewherethey are
RESOURCE
Website:BannedBooksBookClub-Databaseof bannedbooksalongwitheducationalresources aboutthem.
Organization:birthFUND-Advocatesforand investsinmidwiferycareandtheinclusionof birthworkersinthebirthexperience
SocialMediaCampaign:#1000BlackGirlBooksDatabaseofbookswhereBlackgirlsarethe maincharacters,createdbyNREITaskForce memberMarleyDias
ACTION
Usesocialmediaforadvocacywisely.
Postaboutthingsthatyouhavedone,areplanningtodo,and/ordriveyouraudiencestowardparticular causesoractionslikevoting,donatingtoacharity,orstartingabannedbookclub Encouragepeopleto usetheinformationandconnectionstheyhaveonlinetotakeactionoffline Beauthenticonsocialmediainordertoconnectwithyouraudienceswhileremainingconsciousofthe environmentthatyoucreateonyoursocialmediaaccounts Takebreaksfromsocialmediawhenitbecomesoverwhelming
