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Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett has announced her appointment as the honorary co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’s (CBC) 52nd Annual Legislative Conference. The conference is set to take place from Wednesday, September 20th, through Sunday, September 24th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Plaskett will serve alongside her colleague, Senator and Reverend Raphael Warnock, as co-chairs of the event. "Each year, two members of the Black Caucus are selected as co-chairs, and I am honored to be named by the Foundation as this year's Co-Chair," Plaskett said in a statement. She emphasized the CBC's dedication to themes of democracy, freedom, and culture, particularly among Black Americans and people of color, and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play an integral role in the conference.
The annual gathering is expected to host over 10,000 participants and raise more than $9 million through various means, including a Gala Dinner and sponsorships. The funds will be used for scholarships, fellowships, and policy work.
Governor Bryan and several members of his administration will also participate, hosting the Virgin Islands Government's first "Meet and Match" event at the conference. This event will provide contractors, both local and stateside, with firsthand information about contracting opportunities in the Virgin Islands. Agencies such as the Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR), the Office of Management & Budget (OMB), and the USVI Economic Development Authority (EDA) will be involved in the event.
Furthermore, the Congressional Caucus on Black Innovation (CCBI), co-founded and co-chaired by Plaskett and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), will host the 2nd Annual Black Innovation Summit. The summit will feature a two-part panel focusing on the importance of empowering Black innovators and creators.
The theme of this year's Annual Legislative Conference is "Securing Our Democracy. Protecting Our Freedoms. Uplifting Our Culture." Plaskett closed her statement by expressing her anticipation to meet fellow Virgin Islanders attending the conference. "I look forward to seeing you all! Thanks for being a part of the conference, learning from other participants, and of course, amplifying the issues of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean," she said.
