A presidential "Debate Watch" and B.B. King, Hill Harper, Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, the Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake and other notables will join the 43 members of the CBC as featured attractions at the 38th Annual Legislative Conference.
• Meet the ALC '08 Honorary Co-Chairs
• ALC ’08 Sponsorship Opportunities (PDF)

The event at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union will feature participation by the local congresswoman, Rep. Gwen Moore, and civic leaders, health experts, and for the first time, international fitness celebrity Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo, a total body fitness system. The tour’s theme is “Eat, Move and Test for Health.”
• Black Health Empowerment Project Travels to Charlotte
• In Depth: Rep. Mel Watt (News 14 Carolina)
• Register Now for BHEP in Milwaukee

After learning last year that Nelson Mandela was on U.S. terror watch lists during Foundation briefings in South Africa with CBCF President and CEO Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., and Del. Donna M. Christensen, Rep. Barbara Lee began working to have the former South African president removed from the U.S. lists. Congress has agreed and her measure will help restore honor to Mandela’s legacy.
• Click Here To Follow Daily Blog Updates From The Delegation
• Rep. Barbara Lee’s Statement on World AIDS Awareness Day
• Barbara Lee Takes Fight to Eradicate HIV/AIDS to South Africa

CBCF and the CBC Spouses hosted the 16th Annual Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic June 21-22 at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Virginia. Many CBC members, CBCF corporate sponsors and celebrity golfer Kevin Hall (left) attended. The Classic’s proceeds benefit the CBC Spouses’ scholarship programs.
• Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic Web Site
• Congressional Black Caucus Spouses
• Rent-to-Own Industry Supports Classic Silent Auction

CBCF and Rep. Danny K. Davis of Illinois released on Thursday, June 19, the results of a comprehensive report – “Breaking Barriers: Plotting the Path to Academic Success for School-age African-American Males,” by CBCF Senior Analyst Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D. – during a breakfast forum on Capitol Hill.
• Breaking Barriers' Report (PDF)
• A Mile in My Shoes: A Writing Project
• Ivory A. Toldson: ‘Ready for 2028’

Donna Edwards was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by voters in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties on June 17, becoming the first African-American woman to serve from Maryland in Congress. Ms. Edwards, a lawyer and nonprofit executive from Fort Washington, replaces Rep. Albert R. Wynn, who on May 31 resigned from Congress after serving eight terms. Ms. Edwards must win a general election in November to retain her new office for a full two-year term.
• Donna Edwards Campaign Web Site

CBCF President Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., is troubled by an offensive t-shirt the organization received in the mail the day after Sen. Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination. The shirt has a cartoon image of Curious George, the beloved children’s character, with a paper bag over his head holding a sign that says “A Truth We Can Believe in '08!!!” written underneath. Dr. Scott told “The Sleuth” blog on washingtonpost.com: “We received it as a reaction to Obama winning the nomination.”
• More about Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D.

Fulfilling a partnership commitment, CBCF, the CBC Spouses and Safeway recently delivered almost 5,000 crates of food to a homeless shelter to help the poor and needy in the nation’s capital. Safeway pledged to provide quarterly donations to So Others Might Eat (SOME) at the 2007 Spouses’ Community Breakfast and Health Fair.
• Spouses Community Breakfast and Health Fair
• So Others Might Eat (SOME)

CBCF has welcomed 43 undergraduates from across the country to its annual summer Congressional Internship Program, the largest of its kind for students of color in the nation. The students will each spend the next two months working in the office of a Congressional Black Caucus member.
• Young Alumnus Heads to Nation’s Capital
• Five D.C.-Area Students Complete New CBCF Internship
• Trinity Seniors Selected as CBCF Communications Interns
• CBCF Wal-Mart Emerging Leaders Internship Program Touted

CBCF has marked a significant moment in its history: full and outright ownership of its headquarters. CBCF joins a select few African-American non-profit organizations to own their building in the District of Columbia. CBCF celebrated the occasion at the historic residence of the Turkish ambassador to the United States. “The acquisition of this new headquarters was indeed a landmark achievement for the organization,” said Rep. Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, the CBCF Board chairman.
• CBCF Welcomes Four New Members to its Board of Directors

CBCF's Congressional Fellowship Program 2008 series of public-policy forums continues with “NMTC Matters: Perspectives on the New Markets Tax Credit," 3 p.m., Thursday, April 10, Capitol Building Room HC-6. CBCF Fellow Renee Mayo, assigned to the Office of Rep. Al Green of Texas, is presenting the forum, where policymakers and practitioners will discuss the impact on community development.
• CBCF Congressional Fellowship Program Begins 2008 Policy Issue Series
• CBCF Fellow Presents Environmental Justice Issue Forum (PDF)

CBCF, the CBC Health Braintrust and the National Minority Quality Forum are collaborating on a joint Spring Health Braintrust and 5th Annual Health Disparities Leadership Summit, which is themed 'Health Equity and Justice Now.' The event is set for April 14 and 15, 2008, at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd Street, NW, Washington. For more information, contact Britt Weinstock, senior health policy advisor in the Office of Del. Donna M. Christensen (USVI).
• Register for Joint Braintrust and Leadership Summit

CBCF President & CEO Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., reflects on the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 40th anniversary of his death and the Foundation’s efforts to continue his good works. “There has been much progress in America since Dr. King’s untimely death – and yet our nation still has so far to go,” Dr. Scott said.
• CBCF Signs on to Black Unity Family Letter (NCBCP)
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Bill (Avoice Exhibit)
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Program (PDF)

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and General Mills are supporting the second-annual Sisters Saving Hearts grant initiative as part of the Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts campaign. The grassroots program will award five $5,000 grants to individuals or service organizations working to raise awareness for heart disease prevention. Nominations deadline: March 14.
• Visit the Sisters Saving Hearts Web Site
• Read a Letter From CBCF President Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D.