The Congressional Black Caucus is stepping into a new era, shaped by President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Members, advocates, and thought leaders gather in Washington, D.C., for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 54th Annual Legislative Conference, focusing on power, policy, and progress.

For more than five decades, the caucus has branded itself as the “Conscience of the Congress,” pushing forward on issues of equity, civil rights, and justice.

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This year’s conference, held Sept. 24–28 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, will reflect the caucus’s legacy and provide a blueprint for its future operations. It will feature a dynamic lineup of notable entertainment, politics, and music guests.

Actors Aldis Hodge and Samantha Wilkes, stars of Cross on Prime Video, are expected to make an appearance on Saturday at the Phoenix Awards. On the political side, people such as CBC General Counsel Angela Rye, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Reps. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Joe Neguse (D-CO) will help drive timely conversations. The weekend will also include musical performances by D-Nice, Leela James, Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, and Anthony Brown and Group Therapy, bringing together culture, policy, and celebration.

This year’s theme is “Made for This Moment: Power, Policy, & Progress.” 

“At a critical time for our nation, and in the face of challenges confronting Black America, the ALC is more relevant than ever,” CBCF released in a statement Monday.

“Together, they will highlight how the CBC is rising to meet this moment and how the ALC continues to serve as a vital platform for providing information, insight, and tools to support the Black community.”

The Congressional Black Caucus was formed in 1971. While it’s not officially connected to any political party, all of its current members are Democrats, and few elected African American Republicans have joined.

Some black Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), have distanced themselves from the caucus, citing political bias. Donalds expressed interest in joining the group in 2021 when he was first elected to Congress, and said he was never given entry, which he said was “off-putting” in an interview with Politico.

ZORA NEALE HURSTON AND THE FATE OF THE BLACK CONSERVATIVE

The organization’s main goal is to advocate for the rights and needs of black communities and other marginalized groups. It focuses on issues including voting rights, access to healthcare, better education, job opportunities, criminal justice reform, and building relationships with predominantly black communities. 

Attendees at ALC will explore topics ranging from affordable housing and student debt to maternal health, policing reform, and closing the racial wealth gap. Each session, panel, and town hall will explore these issues not only in theory but also through the lived realities of millions of Americans.

The ALC isn’t only a policy convening. It’s a cultural anchor — a chance for lawmakers, activists, business leaders, and citizens to connect and celebrate resilience. Signature events like the Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast, the National Town Hall, the Phoenix Awards, and the Black Party remind attendees that the struggle for justice has always been intertwined with joy, community, and faith.

According to its official website, CBC members represent about 120 million people across the U.S., including 41% of the black population.

While African Americans have historically been a Democratic voting bloc, the 2024 election saw small yet significant gains for the Republican Party.

THE RISE OF THE BLACK REPUBLICAN

Trump’s support among Black voters nearly doubled from 8% in 2020 to 15%, while 83% backed Kamala Harris.

Men, especially those under 50, drove much of the change. Trump narrowly won younger men, a sharp reversal from 2020 when they favored Joe Biden by 10 points.

These numbers align with overall gender data from the election, which showed that young men were skewing more toward the right.

Trump has famously called himself “the best president for black Americans,” going as far as to say, “I’ve done more for black people than anyone, maybe Lincoln,” Trump said while campaigning in 2020.

During his 2024 campaign, Trump launched a coalition called “Black Americans for Trump” in mid‑2024. The coalition aimed to bring together black leaders, pastors, entertainers, and local officials, arguing that his policies on the economy, immigration, law and order, and funding HBCUs were the best path forward for black communities.

A major theme was that immigrants, notably illegal immigrants, were “taking jobs” from black workers, a message he repeated in debates and rallies, portraying immigration as harming black Americans economically.

RISING BLACK UNEMPLOYMENT RINGS ALARM BELLS FOR LABOR MARKET

During his past campaigns, Trump often spoke about black Americans in terms of crime and poverty, frequently using phrases like “What do you have to lose?” when asking for their support during his 2016 campaign. While he highlighted initiatives like funding for HBCUs and criminal justice reform, critics argued that his rhetoric often relied on negative stereotypes and failed to address systemic issues.

The caucus has been open about challenging the Trump administration when they disagree. 

“Make no mistake. In this volatile political landscape, the CBC must stand as the resistance to the extremist ideologies of Project 2025 as the consciousness of Congress to advocate and advance the Black diaspora. The authors of Project 2025 will write America’s story for the next four years, and we must be prepared to use every legislative and communicative tool to oppose their agenda. I am committed to working with my colleagues to call out this extremist agenda and fight like hell for a pathway forward,” Chair-elect Clarke said in a statement shortly after Trump was elected.

As the country moves toward the 2026 midterm elections, the conversation around how both parties engage with black voters is gaining renewed attention. With Trump seeking to regain support among black Americans and Democrats working to maintain their traditional base, the stakes are high.

The 2026 midterm elections will serve as a key indicator of which messages are resonating and how the political landscape is shifting within black communities across the nation. It looms large over the conversations happening at ALC. The caucus is acutely aware that mobilizing black voters will be crucial to shaping Congress.

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CONFERENCE WORKING TO TURN OUT BLACK VOTE FOR HARRIS

Beyond the politics, the heart of the caucus’s work remains black families’ everyday struggles and aspirations.