Congressional Black Caucus Foundation marks 50 years at pivotal time

Congressional Black Caucus week is underway in Washington, and an independent philanthropic arm of the House faction is celebrating 50 years ahead of November's midterm elections.

The CBC Foundation's five-day 55th Annual Legislative Conference commences Sept. 16 to commemorate five decades of the charitable organization.

Nicole Austin-Hillery, CEO and president of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, said the 2026 edition will help develop shared strategic goals as a community. The foundation says it works through three pillars: building future leaders through scholarships and internships, creating strategy, and conducting policy analysis and research.

"We believe that our purpose and our focus is grounded in the now," Hillery told USA TODAY. "And that's how we are going into this annual conference, making sure that we are reaffirming the focus and the purpose."

Participants for the CBC Foundation's annual conference, which includes more than 200 forums, arrive in Washington to discuss the priorities of Black life in America during a complex time in national politics. The foundation was sued earlier this year by an anti-affirmative action group that alleged that Black Caucus scholarships discriminate based on race.

Some Black leaders are also grappling with the erosion of a key provision in the Voting…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/