James Clyburn Says the Next Generation of Black Leadership Won’t Be Built on Television. It Will Be Built Person by Person

September 9, 2026

Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina emphasizes that developing Black political leadership requires year-round grassroots engagement rather than relying solely on major conferences like the upcoming Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 50th Annual Legislative Conference. Through his James E.

Who is affected

African Americans/Black voters and communities nationwide
Young people participating in the James E. Clyburn Political Fellowship and similar leadership programs
Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
Residents of South Carolina's 6th Congressional District
First-time homebuyers (now averaging age 42)
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation members and conference attendees
Lawmakers, advocates, and community leaders attending the Annual Legislative Conference
Black media organizations (radio stations, newspapers)
District residents and former Hill workers like Lorraine C. Miller

What action is being taken

Rep. Clyburn is running the Clyburn Program and conducting monthly meetings with young people through the James E. Clyburn Political Fellowship
Rep. Bennie Thompson is running a similar program in Mississippi
Clyburn is meeting with youth daily and focusing on direct community engagement
Clyburn is using Black radio, robocalls, weekly videos, and Black newspapers for outreach (not television advertising)
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is convening its 50th Annual Legislative Conference from September 16-20 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Why it matters

This matters because it addresses the critical need for sustained Black political leadership development and voter engagement beyond high-profile events. With Black voter turnout lagging behind white turnout (59% versus 71% in a recent election), the gap directly impacts electoral outcomes and policy decisions affecting African American communities. The focus on grassroots organizing, mentorship programs, and Black-owned media represents an alternative approach to building political power during a time when key concerns—voting rights, affordable housing, healthcare access, and education—face significant challenges. Clyburn's emphasis on learning from historical patterns of political shifts highlights how current decisions will shape Black political representation for generations, particularly as the Supreme Court and current administration policies threaten advances in voting rights and other civil rights protections.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer