Jobs to Dominate Congressional Black Caucus Conference Agenda

By Chris Windham
Human Nature magazine

For a few days each year, the groups meet in the nation’s capital to discuss and debate the top issues impacting African Americans – from health care and education to criminal justice and economy. The CBC week also features a host of parties and receptions which provide a social break from the hard core debates held during the four-day conference.

With the unemployment rate for blacks approaching 17%, jobs and other economic issues are a chief topic of debate at this year’s CBC conference, with several town hall meetings and sessions scheduled to tackle the topic.

The CBC conference comes on the heels of a new Washington Post-ABC News poll suggesting that African Americans appear to be cooling in their support for President Obama, with the number of blacks expressing “strongly favorable” views of the President dropping dramatically from 83% five months ago to 58% today.

President Obama and The White House have been seeking to outline for African-Americans the benefits of his $450 billion jobs plan, dispatching to media outlets aides, such as White House Valerie Jarrett, who recently appeared on Steve Harvey’s syndicated radio show to discuss the jobs plan.

President Obama will attend at the CBC’s Phoenix Awards Dinner Saturday, as he as done each year since becoming President. This year’s Phoenix Awards, which recognizes individuals for their efforts and accomplishments that have made an impact on society, will honor civil rights activist Dr. Joseph E. Lowery; Congressman and civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis; athlete and humanitarian George Foreman and Lisa P. Jackson of the Environmental Protection Agency.

However, this year’s Phoenix Awards will have a cloud hovering above it that wasn’t present at the previous dinners – growing angst for Obama’s economic policies. The bubbling tension among such CBC leaders as Maxine Waters, D-CA, who has been vocal about her displeasure with the urgency, or lack there, of Obama’s response to the black unemployment rate, could serve as the backdrop for the topics to be discussed.

“There a lot of people in the African American community who are hurting,” said Dr. Elsie L. Scott, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation . “They come to conference looking for answers. “

“People are looking to connect with CBC and looking for leadership on the big picture issues that are facing the African-American community, such as jobs and economy,” she said.

Nevertheless, the CBC week features sessions, social gatherings and other events that are broad enough to connect with just about anyone..

Among the highlights of this year’s conference include:

• The O’Jays being honored at the annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts.

• Exclusive screening of Robert Townsend’s “In the Hive”,

• The National Town Hall “Economic Opportunity, Jobs!”

• Emerging Leaders Series – Anatomy of Revolution: From Alabama to Egypt.

For a full listing of the sessions and events being held for the CBC Legislative Conference view CBC Foundation website.