Congressional Black Caucus

The goals of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), chaired by Rep. Barbara Lee, are:

Empower & Mobilize America's Youth

Empower through Development

• Strengthen pipelines of leadership for young people of color on Capital Hill
• Connect young people of color to legislative process and civic engagement trainings

Empower through Action

• Prioritize legislation and funding fundamental to the quality of life of America’s youth (education, job training, health care, etc.)
• Engage young leaders in the 2008 elections by connecting to voter registration, education and campaign opportunities

Empower through Dialogue

• Host inter-generational dialogues via the Internet & symposia on youth-centered policies

Build an International Internet Communications Portal

Build International CBC Web Presence

• Utilize web portal as means of disseminating information in the CBC and black America
• Develop partnerships to build exposure & presence

Build Interactive Dialogues through New Technologies

• Utilize CBC Blogs as virtual issue forums
• Podcast CBC Members messages and updates on CBC priorities

Outreach through Civic Engagement

• Work with progressive Civil Rights organization to register 100,000 new voters by October 2008
• Promote Progressive public policy legislation with progressive civil rights organizations

Outreach through Celebrating Black History

• Host annual CBC Black History Month Program
• Lead CBC International Congressional Delegations & cultural missions throughout the African Diaspora

=Impact the Alternative Energy Discussion

Support African American Role in Major Alternative Fuel Sources

• Empower black farmers with alternative fuel dialogues
• Initiate use of beans, corn, sugar cane, etc. as possible fuel sources

Support Renewable Energy Solutions

• Reduce dependence on coal burning power through the development and use of wind and solar power solutions
• Support research, education and training for people of color in renewable energy solutions

Support Climate Stabilization and Community Cleanup Efforts

• Stabilize greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the world climate system (Kyoto Treaty)
• Assist in reducing the number of Brownfield’s (site with hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants) in the United States