FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2023
Media contact:
Yolanda Raine
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
202-809-2011
media@cbcfinc.org
On Friday, January 27, 2023, the City of Memphis released video footage of Tyre Nichols’ arrest. Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO, CBCF, issued the following statement:
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tyre Nichols, and to the entire Memphis, Tennessee community. As a national organization with the mission to advance the global Black community, we feel the weight of the enormous responsibility that our powerful mission carries, particularly at a moment when another Black life has been lost due to police brutality.
We have seen this type of tragedy before. Unfortunately, Tyre Nichols is just one of countless other Black lives lost to police violence like George Floyd and Philando Castile. The family of Tyre Nichols, the community and the nation deserve better. There must be transparency and accountability to help bring about real justice and systemic reform to prevent tragedies like these from happening again. It is imperative that we work in partnership with others to create a criminal justice system that is equitable for all. The gross display of excessive force that ended the life of Tyre Nichols requires us to not only look at issues and concerns with the criminal justice system but also to continue examining the deepening generational disparities in health, wealth, education and housing that place the Black community at the center of unequal treatment and outcomes.
Through the National Racial Equity Initiative (NREI), CBCF is committed to combatting systemic injustice and advancing racial equity, human rights, education and community/economic development opportunities for the Black community. Housed in CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR), the NREI takes an evidence-based approach to inform sound policies targeted to reducing racial disparities caused by racism and discrimination. NREI also strives to provide solutions-driven and proactive policies and practices that produce equitable access, opportunities, treatment, and outcomes for African Americans.
In this moment, CBCF recommits to serving as a resource for convening the nation’s top thinkers, policy makers, and community members to identify reforms and tools that strengthen the community and to developing the next generation of leaders who will work collectively to ensure better outcomes for all Black lives.
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ABOUT CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.