CBC Foundation Conference Looks To The Future

WASHINGTON -- As the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) marks 40 years of convening the top critical thinkers, political leaders, and policy makers in America, the organization's Center for Policy Analysis and Research will dedicate its Future Focus Series to critical issues of the day during its Annual Legislative Conference from September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Series will include:

Hope From Ground Zero: Resilience And Renewal In the Gulf Coast: As the cleanup continues in the Gulf and its residents struggle to regain some balance in their lives, politicians, community workers and residents of New Orleanswill focus on the policy changes needed to promote sustainable community and business development. Speakers will include A. Byron Encalade, President of the Louisiana Oystermen's Association; Alice Craft-Kerney, Executive Director of the Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic; Tom Darden, Executive Director of the Make It Right Foundation headed by actor Brad Pitt. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., September 15. Room 207A.
Beyond Blood: Bone Marrow Donation among African Americans will stress the importance of black participation in offering hope and saving lives through marrow and tissue donation. Currently only seven percent of bone marrow donors are African American. The low number of donors makes it less likely that blacks will find suitable matches in life-threatening situations. Noon - 1:30 p.m., September 15. Room 207B.
Lasting Advantage: Why Reading by the Third Grade Matters will underscore the impact of early proficient reading on a child's ability to learn and succeed over time. 4:30- 6:00 p.m., September 15. Room 207B.
Avoice Voting Rights Student Workshop will look at the history of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and feature activities for students from the Voting Rights Lesson Unit available through the Avoice Virtual Library's "For Educators" section, at the website www.avoiceonline.org. 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., September 15. Capitol Visitors Center.
Door to the Future: Transforming Public Education for African-American Youth will include research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation that will highlight strategies needed to bolster academic performance among middle- and high-school students, as well as prepare them for higher education, the workplace and beyond. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., September 16. Room 145B.

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