Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF)
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and education institute to help improve the socio-economic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities.

General Information

Hon. Kendrick B. Meek is the current chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D. serves as its president and chief executive officer.

Mission Statement

With a focus on leadership education, public health and economic development, CBCF is the premier organization that creates, identifies, analyzes and disseminates policy-oriented information critical to advancing African Americans and people of African descent toward equity in economics, health and education.

Location

CBCF is located at:
1720 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: [phone]

Programs & Initiatives

Leadership Education

The Leadership Institute for Public Service aims to increase the amount of black leaders in community-based programs and public service careers. Each year, CBCF selects nearly 1,000 students and young professionals to put in focused environments where they are taught critical thinking and leadership skills. CBCF’s Leadership Institute offers educational and leadership development programs to individuals ranging from junior high school students to adults under age 40.
* Congressional Fellows Program
* Louis Stokes Urban Health Public Policy Fellows Program
* Congressional Summer Internship Program
* Eleanor Holmes Norton Capitol High School Leaders Program
* CBCF Emerging Leaders Series

Economic Development

CBCF economic development initiatives work to improve the financial status of African-Americans through homeownership and other wealth-building programs.
* With Ownership, Wealth (WOW)
* Student Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)
** Created in February 2003 to educate young people about the importance of managing money smartly, establishing good credit habits, recognizing the potential hazards of easy credit and building wealth through homeownership
* CBCF Housing Summits

Public Health

CBCF intends to fill the void between popular reporting and in-depth analysis by advocating for equal health care and public policy.
* HBCU Anti-Smoking Education Initiative
** The purpose of the Anti-Smoking Education Initiative is to encourage student activism and peer-education at historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) through anti-tobacco and -smoking advocacy.
* Black Health Empowerment Project (BHEP)
** Implemented in the fall of 2005, BHEP educates African Americans about obesity's link to chronic health conditions and introduces strategies for achieving and maintaing a health weight.

Virtual Libraries

Capturing the history of the participation and contribution of African Americans in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate is central to the policy development and educational mission of CBCF. In 2006, CBCF developed the [http://www.avoiceonline.org Avoice^TM] project. is an online virtual library which acts as a central source of information about historical and contemporary African-American policy issues important to researchers, academics, educators and students.

Scholarships

Since 1988, the CBC Spouses have awarded more than $8 million to deserving students through its scholarship programs.
* CBC Spouses Education Scholarship
* CBC Spouses Health Initiative Scholarship
* CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
* Vivien Thomas Scholarship for Medical Science and Research

Annual Events

* Annual Legisltaive Conference
** Each September, CBCF sponsors the Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. ALC provides a national forum to develop strategies and viable solutions to public policy issues facing Black America.
* Heritage Celebration

References

* [http://www.cbcfinc.org Official Website for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.]
* Copson, Raymond W. The Congressional Black Caucus and Foreign Policy. Ed. Susan Boriotti and Donna Dennis. Hauppauge: Novinka, 2003.
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_16_108/ai_n15759834 "Congressional Black Caucus Foundation holds 35th Legislative Conference." Jet. Oct 17, 2005. FindArticles.com. 20 May 2008.]
* "Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to Address Energy Crisis, Other Major Policy Concerns at 36th Annual Legislative Conference." US Newswire 1 Sept. 2006. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Marriott Lib., Bethesda, MD. 20 May 2008 .
* Chew, Cassie. "Home sweet home: Congressional Black Caucus Initiative Leads HBCU, Community College Students down the Road to Homeownership.(Historically Black Colleges and Universities)." Black Issues in Higher Education. 21.13 (August 12, 2004): 28(4). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Marriott Lib., Bethesda, MD. 20 May 2008 .

External Links

* [http://www.cbcfinc.org CBCF]
* [http://www.cbcfinc.org/Newsletter/news_letter.php CBCF Newsletter]
* [http://www.alc2008.org ALC]
* [http://www.house.gov/kilpatrick/cbc Congressional Black Caucus]
* [http://www.avoiceonline.org Avoice Online]
* [http://www.tisdalefellowship.org Tisdale Fellowship]