CBCF Celebrates 50 Years of Molding the Nation’s Future

February 10, 2026

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025 with the theme "Roots. Ready. Rising.

Who is affected

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and its leadership, including President Nicole Austin-Hillery
The Congressional Black Caucus members (62 current representatives)
MBA students at five HBCUs: Howard University, Morgan State University, Virginia State University, Jackson State University, and Claflin University
Former CBCF intern Irvin "Pax" Fordham and other program beneficiaries
African American communities nationwide
Small business owners and aspiring Black entrepreneurs
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL)
Partnership organizations: Zelle and Community Development Investors (CDI)

What action is being taken

CBCF is hosting 50th anniversary celebrations throughout 2025
The organization is conducting year-round mini Annual Legislative Conferences, including a health equity-focused event in New Jersey and a Policy Summit in Chicago
CBCF, Zelle, and Community Development Investors are awarding $10,000 tuition grants to 10 MBA students at five HBCUs through The Zelle Community Development & Entrepreneurship Scholarship
The foundation is continuing regular programming including the Scholarship Classic in June and the 55th Annual Legislative Conference in September
CBCF leaders are working to develop leaders, advance ideas, and drive policies that expand opportunity

Why it matters

This anniversary is significant because the CBCF has spent five decades transforming African American political representation into substantive policy influence and leadership development. The organization addresses critical disparities, including that only 3% of U.S. businesses are Black-owned and less than 10% of MBA students are African American. By supporting entrepreneurship through acquisition initiatives, CBCF aims to position Black students to preserve jobs, build generational wealth, and prevent Main Street businesses from closing as millions of small business owners retire. The foundation serves as a vital platform for networking, strategy development, and empowerment that advances not only Black American interests but broader American priorities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

What's next

The Scholarship Classic will take place in June 2025
The 55th Annual Legislative Conference (#ALC55) will occur in September 2025
Additional mini Annual Legislative Conferences will be held throughout the year in various cities
The Zelle Community Development & Entrepreneurship Scholarship will continue supporting MBA students in entrepreneurship through acquisition
CBCF will continue implementing data-driven solutions through TED Talk-style Policy Summits

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer