The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to host its 40th Annual Legislative Conference

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will host its 40th  Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) from September 15-18 at the Walter  E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This year's  conference theme is Celebrating The Vision, Continuing The Journey,  Advancing The Mission.

ALC provides an outlet to highlight the mission of CBCF - to develop  leaders, to inform policy and to educate the public. It also provides  more than 70 forums to address the critical challenges facing the  African-American community. The Foundation will offer numerous session  tracks to present high level, thought-provoking, engaging and useful  information. Also offered during the four-day event are free health  screenings, a job fair, interactive financial sessions, networking and  cultural activities.

"During ALC, attendees will hear success stories from our interns and  fellows whom we have prepared to change the landscape on Capitol Hill,"  said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for  CBCF.  "We will bring together policy-makers, educators, businesspeople  and civil rights leaders for our national town hall meeting to discuss  education reform and how these reform efforts will bring better and  additional jobs to our communities. This is an extension of some of our  programmatic forums previously held around the country.

"There are 13 session tracks covering everything from economic  security to health and wellness to education and emerging leaders. Also  included is an entrepreneurship series that will offer entrepreneurs and  would-be-entrepreneurs the tools they need to become successful," she  said.

U.S. Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Diane Watson of California  are serving as honorary co-chairs of ALC.  The conference is expected  to draw nearly 15,000 officials, business and industry leaders,  celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans. The  conference also includes a fundraiser awards dinner, exhibit showcase,  book signings and community outreach in volunteering at a local homeless  shelter.

"ALC is recognized as one of the most important gatherings of  African-American leaders in the nation," said Rep. Donald M. Payne,  chair of CBCF's board of directors. "In addition, attendees recognize  the importance of what CBCF accomplishes in the community and have  supported our efforts to provide scholarships, internships and  fellowships, to improve economic parity and to decrease health  disparities," he said.

Early registration is open, and attendees are encouraged to take  advantage of the early discounts at www.alc10.org. Media registration  will open May 31 at www.alc10.org/media.

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.

==

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc: http://cbcfinc.org

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cbcfinc