This caucus is solely made up of Democrats, but our colleagues across the aisle are welcome to join us.

Last week, I attended the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). This event is the largest convening – of policymakers, thought leaders, influencers, and citizens – focused on issues that impact Black folks across the nation.

This year, I led a moving discussion about book bans and the power of Black storytellers. I brought together civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw, Leonard Egerton, the owner of Frugal Bookstore – the only Black-owned independent bookstore in the Northeast, author George Johnson, and Devin Morris, educator and founder of The Teacher’s Lounge. The rise in book bans is the latest effort in an ongoing, calculated attack by white supremacists to silence the Black community. Countering these attacks is critical to amplifying Black voices and fighting for Black futures.

The CBC’s creation came about in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement, which we are very much still in. The caucus led the movement to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday a federal holiday, moved to speak out against Apartheid in South Africa decades before Congress took action, and authored key legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

I am Massachusetts' only current member of the caucus, and the first House member to serve from the state. While the number of Black representatives in our government has increased since the caucus was founded, we still have a way to go.

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There is power in convening and there is power in representation. If you’re able, can you chip in today to keep us pressing for a democracy that represents us all?

Onward,

Ayanna