Power, Policy & Progress: Reflections from CBC Week 2025
This year’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) carried a fitting theme: “Made for This Moment: Power, Policy & Progress.” Every session, panel, and conversation reinforced the power of collective action and strategic vision in shaping the future of health equity.
I had the honor of attending several transformative sessions that spotlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing Black communities in today’s health and political landscape.
🧠 Health & Wellness Luncheon: One Size Does Not Fit All
Hosted by CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research, this special luncheon — “One Size Does Not Fit All: Advancing Access and Community Resilience in the Health Workforce” — explored how tailored strategies are critical to building a strong and inclusive health workforce. The discussion highlighted innovative approaches to health workforce development and the importance of ensuring that policies and programs reflect the lived realities of the communities they intend to serve.
🛡 FUBU: Protecting HIV Prevention and Medicaid Access in Black Communities
One of the most energizing sessions of the week was the “For Us By Us (FUBU): Protecting HIV Prevention and Medicaid Access in Black Communities” panel. The room was packed with leaders, advocates, and innovators committed to defending access to lifesaving HIV prevention tools in an increasingly complex political climate.
The panel featured:
Carl Baloney, President, AIDS United
Dr. Alftan Dyson, Head of US Strategic Medical Partnerships, ViiV Healthcare
Monica Simpson, Executive Director, SisterSong
It was moderated by Alphonso David, President & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, with special remarks from Maurice McCants-Pearsall, Director of Government Relations at ViiV Healthcare.
The conversation was electric — a clarion call for innovation, persistence, and coalition-building to safeguard prevention and care access for Black communities.
✝️ Faith, Justice & Gun Violence
I also attended Representative Lucy McBath’s powerful session on Faith, Justice, and the Fight to End Gun Violence, featuring Kamau Bell and several faith leaders. The discussion was deeply moving — weaving together themes of justice, faith, and healing — and underscored how health, safety, and policy intersect in the lives of Black communities every day.
