CBA and SBLSC
Unveil Task Force on Racial Injustice and Reform
Contact:
Maya Valentine (CBA Communications Director)
maya.valentine@mail.house.gov
(202) 744-1147
Gabrielle Howard (Task Force Communications Chair)
(202) 641-1709
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Congressional Black Associates (CBA) along with the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus (SBLSC) unveiled the Black Congressional Staff Task Force on Racial Justice and Reform, a staff-led task force designed to empower black staff to push the policy priorities of the black community by ensuring there is a meaningful congressional response to racial injustice.
In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many other Black Americans, there has been an overwhelmingly large public outcry for equity, systemic reform, and social justice on the local, state, and federal levels. CBA and SBLSC have been closely monitoring these developments and want to serve as an access point on Capitol Hill for advocates and activists, and to hold forums between congressional staffers and community leaders. We share in the larger mission to see our country live up to the true values of which it was founded for every American, regardless of their race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
“As Black Hill staffers, we see and feel the passion of our peers assembling and protesting the racial injustices that have for far too long plagued the Black community,” said Christopher Cox, CBA’s Professional Development Chair. “These calls for change are echoed within CBA, and we have created the Black Congressional Staff Task Force on Racial Justice and Reform. The task force will be our first step in assuring that Black Hill staffers are equipped with the resources needed to support the work of our Members of Congress. CBA is committed to the professional development of our membership as we move toward action-oriented goals to address racial injustice in America.”
“The movement for racial justice – sparked by the deaths of Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others before them – has moved Americans in every community to demand more of themselves, their communities, and institutions at all levels of government,” said Jonathan Carter, President of SBLSC. “SBLSC is proud to work alongside CBA to create the Black Congressional Staff Task Force on Racial Justice and Reform to advocate for legislative solutions that address racial justice on behalf of our communities.”
The Task Force for Racial Justice and Reform is composed of members who have several years of experience on Capitol Hill and have expertise in a variety of policy issues areas. Further, this group will be responsible for organizing both long and short-term strategies that can help amplify the voices of Black Hill staff throughout Congress. These strategies consist of identifying legislative gaps and making policy recommendations that promote equality, initiating a plan-of-action to combat numerous racial injustices, and providing reformative solutions to the crisis we are experiencing today while making our own mark on the ongoing fight for civil rights, freedoms, and justice.
The Task Force was formed with the following objectives:
collaborating with stakeholders to identify unique issues facing the black community, within scope;
amplifying legislative solutions through proposed policy recommendations; and
maintaining communication and engagement with CBA members and the broader community.
The task force members for CBA are:
Julian Purdy, Director
Christopher Harvey, Deputy Director
Taylor Ware
LaVontae Brooks
Chloe Brown
Gabrielle Howard
Anthony Mitchell
The task force members for SBLSC are:
Yasmin Rigney, Director
Adzua Agyapon
Michael Brewer
McKenzie Fields
BréYhana Johnson
Bo Mayacho
Olivia Nutter
Avery Phillip
Kameelah Pointer
Ryan Ross
Fabion Seaton
Tiffany Shackelford
Jae'Von McClain
Joy Zieh
Proposals are expected to be unveiled soon.
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