HBCU scholarships and research initiative included in new programming to advance human rights; and educational and economic opportunities for African Americans

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) announced today it will launch three key initiatives to support social reforms and education needed to advance the global Black community. 

Created in response to the historically unleveled playing field for minorities, and the recent protests and police killings of unarmed African Americans, CBCF will place Social Justice Policy Fellows in the U.S. Congress for two years; establish social justice scholarships for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and advance racial equity and human rights in research, data, analysis, and public policy related to criminal justice reform via the newly formed National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI). 

“CBCF is answering the global call for action to honor George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others in our country’s past—even predating Jim Crow—who have reached their demise at the hands of law enforcement or imprisonment due to a failed justice system,” said Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, chair, CBCF’s board of directors. “Our new initiatives will advance educational opportunities for Black students and explore reform through the policy lens of education, economic opportunity, incarceration, the courts, and law enforcement, and ultimately, propose policy solutions.”  

Housed in CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research, the new initiatives will be rolled out over the next 90 days. According to The Sentencing Project, people of color make up 37 percent of the U.S. population, but 67 percent of the prison population. CBCF’s NREI racial equity framework will have an evidence-based approach to developing solutions-driven policies targeted to reduce racial disparities evoked by racism and discrimination.

“We have always envisioned a society where African Americans can realize basic human rights,” said Tonya Veasey, CBCF’s interim president and CEO. “Our nation is hurting and longing after much-needed reform. With the injustices that have plagued this country and have disproportionately affected people of color, it is important that CBCF be on the right side of history to help nurture the global Black community, and continue to develop leaders, inform policy, and educate the public.”

To receive updates on CBCF’s social justice initiatives as they are rolled out over the summer, subscribe to receive the e-newsletter and follow @CBCFinc on Twitter and Instagram. 

About the CBCF

Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.

# # #