CSI Gets Congressional at the CBCF’s 2023 Annual Legislative Conference
Every year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) hosts their Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in Washington, D.C., to bring together Black lawmakers, policy advocates, and political savants for several days of education, networking, civic engagement, celebration, and more. This year’s ALC, #ALC52, presented a bold theme: Securing Our Democracy, Protecting Our Freedoms, and Uplifting Our Culture, and the event was hosted September 20 - 24 at the at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C.
The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) joined CBCF’s ALC for the second year in a row, featuring an exciting policy panel, an exclusive reception, and a swag-filled booth in the conference’s exhibit hall.
Photos By: Milton Lawrence Creative Agency
About Our Panel Event
During the conference, we teamed up with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and an esteemed panel of policy experts, business leaders, and stakeholders to host a discussion on how the Clean Slate Act can break barriers to employment, education, and housing. Special guests for this panel included Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, and our panel included:
Diedra Porché, National Head of Community and Business Development, JPMorgan Chase;
New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie;
Nan Gibson, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter;
Sheena Meade, CEO, The Clean Slate Initiative; and
Dr. Christi Smith, Resident Senior Fellow, R Street.
While talking about why Clean Slate policies just make sense, Dr. Christi Smith of R Street shared her perspective on the matter. “[Clean Slate] seems to be the least controversial, most common-sense policy that I have had the pleasure to engage in. …This is not new, per se. There are only four jurisdictions in the country that do not already have a petition-based mechanism for record sealing. It’s just being enhanced by the automated process. So when [people] understand that, there isn’t pushback.”
Photos By: Milton Lawrence Creative Agency
About Our Reception Event
On Thursday, September 21, we celebrated Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester - a true Clean Slate champion - with a reception event at RPM Italian in D.C.
We came together with lawmakers, allies, and partners to commemorate our achievements, and look forward to the promising work ahead. We presented an award to Congresswoman Blunt Rochester for her exceptional dedication to advancing Clean Slate policies. We were proud to uplift a committed member of Congress who has worked tirelessly on justice system reform and bringing second chances to millions of people in America who are impacted by the justice system.
Photos By: Milton Lawrence Creative Agency
About Our Conference Booth
While folks were enjoying the CBCF conference, they had an opportunity to drop by CSI’s table in the conference’s exhibit hall to learn more about our impactful work at the state and federal levels, meet some of CSI’s team, and grab some Clean Slate swag.
Our conference booth also featured opportunities to view our Clean Slate Storyteller series, so attendees could connect with Clean Slate by hearing firsthand what it’s like to live with a record in America.
We walked away from the CBCF’s 2023 Annual Legislative Conference feeling connected, inspired, and ready to continue our work to pass and implement Clean Slate laws at the state and federal level. Thanks to everyone who joined us at #ALC52!