Muriel Cooper, Senior Manager Relationship, Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Mama said it. The ancestors lived it. Social movements were created through it.
The African proverb – “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” is a collective lived experience in the Black community. From the hushed, low toned spiritual “Steal Away,” to the 2020 Lizzo ballad remake of “A Change Is Gonna Come,” call and response acknowledgement for change and group actions have echoed throughout chambers within the Black community.
These rallies of solidarity are the driving force behind the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) mission to end disparities in the Black community and have manifested into the 2024 CBCF Giving Tuesday theme – We Move Together– Generations United for Change.
We invite you to be a part of this shared experience. As a Giving Tuesday partner or donor, your support will allow us to continue to move generations forward as we fulfill our mission to develop leaders, inform policy, and educate the public.
For more than 50 years, the CBCF has collected and memorialized voices for change across America. With direct access to everyday citizens, the CBCF has played a pivotal role in shaping history resulting in real-world change: from advocating for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday to influencing legislative decisions that are now transforming the future of our communities. The CBCF work is about policy, action, empowerment, and ensuring that the voices of everyday citizens, including your voice, are heard.
Many of these discussions originate at the CBCF’s Annual Legislative Conference (ALC)—the largest public policy gathering of Black Americans – featuring in-depth discussions on issues that impact Black communities. Additionally, as the lead convener fostering unity around a shared agenda, the CBCF offers invaluable networking opportunities during the ALC.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
Through our Leadership Institute (LI), more than 4,000 Black college students have embarked on their journeys as interns, fellows and scholarship recipients, gaining valuable exposure to career pathways in public policy, advocacy, and public service.
LI has provided more than $11million in scholarship assistance in an effort to sustain a pipeline of emerging leaders who are eager to make an impact in the communities they love. Scholarship recipient Deyjah Stewart is one example of how your financial support goes a long way. Deyjah, a 2021 CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship awardee shared, “Your scholarship has helped me continue my artistic endeavors in more ways than one and further validated me to pursue a creative life.”
Students like Deyjah is why we continue to develop and implement innovative programs and seek new scholarship offerings. By expanding these opportunities to a new group of students, like Deyjah, we continue to build a legacy of gratitude and success. The CBCF Alumni Network stands as a testament to this, an impressive global community of alumni united by their shared experience in LI.
The CBCF data reveals that its alumni are working in the federal government, private industry, nonprofits, academia, public leadership, health, and technology fields to name a few.
Tasked with a collective agreement to promote opportunities through the CBCF to their various communities, these alumni whose range in demographics covers almost 50 years of knowledge and skills, have proven the power of moving across generations as one accord.
“There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests.” CBC Founding Member Rep. William Clay
The CBCF understands the struggles of political debates to develop effective responses to key issues. The CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) duties are to broker ideas, encourage public debate and find practical solutions to set policy agenda which will tackle the social justice issues that are pervasive throughout the nation. Our research is not monolithic; it reflects the diversity of perspectives within the Black community and provides practical solutions for moving forward. This commitment to diverse perspectives and practical solutions has fueled CBCF’s relentless pursuit of social justice, equity, and power-sharing, positioning us as an organization of risk-takers, change-makers, and creative thinkers.
We need you to join us in this collective journey. From our beloved ancestors to our present-day champions, we remain united to ensure that Black leadership continues to grow across generations. Help us carry our mission forward. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Thank you for your support!
#GivingTuesday #WeMoveTogether cbcfinc.org/donate