Yes! This is way overdue, but hey better late than never.
September 12 – 16, 2018 will going down in my history as the most life changing event! I had the pleasure and honor of attending the 48thAnnual Legislative Conference, themed: The Dream still Demands. Although, I have lived in the DMV area for 4 going on 5 years I have never been able to attend (due to a variety of reasons and excuses) but 2018 just felt right!
Starting with the Sojourner Truth Legacy Project Town Hall: “Lead. Run. Vote. As Black Women Go, So Goes The Nation”, this provided a great introduction to the what the CBC Annual Legislative Conference is all about. Riveting discussion, positive participation and stimulating resolutions for the future, all of which were presented by impressive panels.
After having my mind blown and spirit energized, I made my way through the District to the Sidney Harman Hall for the Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts. A celebration of black artists’ talent, impact and community contribution, can you say “Black Excellence”? David Washington, Michelle Ebanks and Lawrence Fishbourne were the evening’s honorees along with an array of talented young black artists (opera singer, ballet dancer and violinist), the night was pure euphoria. I walked away feeling empowered and understood the grace and importance of the arts with the African Diaspora community. There was no going back, adding to the evening’s dichotic picture, directly across the street, a Drake and Migos concert was happening at the Verizon Center.
The week continued with motivating conversations, noteworthy panels, political trainings and networking opportunities. I was so enthralled that within each room of the Walter E. Convention Center people gathered to engage in progressive discussions and problem-solving activities. Two major panels that affected me the most was the Music, Criminal Justice and Racial Equality and the Emerging Leadership Town Hall. Two very different seminars but both embodied the conference’s theme: The Dream Still Demands.
Music, Criminal Justice and Racial Equality: Meek Mill shared the unfiltered truth of his run-in with the law, drug addiction and the inequality of the injustice system. He was joined by Van Jones, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Michael Eric Dyson and a few other scholars. The room was jam-packed and there was a line to get in! I was to able to learn so much in just two hours as the panel revealed just how discriminate and strategic our criminal justice system is, the message was profound.
Emerging Leaders Town Hall: Rise Up: Building Blocks for Success in the 21st Century: programmed on Friday and this townhall was a great way to end the week. The panel was filled with successful African American leaders in their respective field of tech, education, law, and medicine. However, the spotlight was on “us” the young black emerging leaders, the prolific call was for “us” to grab the torch from them and bring the African American community to new heights. Within the first 15 minutes, I was elevated on motivation, innovation and inspiration, my imaginable future looked bright. More than just a “you can be all you can be” speech, the panelist discussed their path, successes, pitfalls, challenges and more.
No, the conference was all work. Although were the seminars and trainings, the Congressional Black Caucus and partner organizations hosted a slew of fun nighttime events. From the Leadership Reception, the Black Party at City Winery and a ton of local parties – I had my fair share of food, wine and dance. Wakanda’s Royal ceremony had nothing on the CBC’s parties. (Of course, I had to make one Black Panther reference). All in all – I had a blast and I can’t wait to attend the Annual Legislative Conference every year, there’s no excuse!
