CSI Shines a Spotlight on Clean Slate in D.C.
Our federal Clean Slate efforts continue to fly.
For 53 years, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has hosted its Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), a policy convening focused on issues that impact African Americans and the global Black community. This conference brings together thought leaders, legislators, influencers, and concerned citizens to build partnerships, learn about key issues and solutions, and celebrate in community.
For many who attend, CBCF’s ALC is the event of the year. It’s the place to connect with Black leaders in Washington, share important information, and enjoy show-stopping post-conference networking parties. So, for three years now, we’ve made sure Clean Slate was at the ALC.
During the ALC, attendees had the chance to stop by CSI’s booth in the exhibit hall, where they could learn more about our impactful work at both the state and federal levels, meet members of our team, take action, and pick up some of our coveted Clean Slate swag.
This year our booth offered a handful of ways for people to engage with Clean Slate. Our Clean Slate Storyteller series was on loop, giving attendees the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of what it’s like to live with a record in America. We also gave people the opportunity to try out our B.A.R.S. simulator, a virtual opportunity to “step” into the shoes of someone who faces significant barriers as a result of their record. Our team at the booth encouraged people to take action to support the federal Clean Slate Act by sending a message to their lawmakers in Congress. These activations pulled people into our work and helped visitors foster a deeper connection with CSI’s mission.
On Thursday, September 12, we hosted an invite-only reception at RPM Italian in D.C. to celebrate Clean Slate and to honor Congresswoman Nikema Williams — because not only has she fought tirelessly for justice-impacted Georgians, she’s also one of the one in three people in America living with a record.
At the reception, Congresswoman Williams shared with us the impact of her own second chance:
“I got arrested when I was standing up with my constituents. Standing up against voter suppression in Georgia… so I am here to be your voice, and I will always be with you, and I am so proud to count you all as co-conspirators for justice as we do this work together.”
We left the CBCF’s 2024 Annual Legislative Conference feeling energized, inspired, and more committed than ever to pass the federal Clean Slate Act. A big thank you to everyone who visited us at #ALC53 — and if you’re attending next year, be sure to look out for CSI’s signature purple!
Just a couple of weeks after CBCF’s ALC, we flew 35 directly impacted organizers from different corners of the country to D.C. to advocate in Congress for H.R. 2930, the federal Clean Slate Act.
The event — a first of its kind for CSI — gave justice-impacted leaders the opportunity to share their powerful stories with lawmakers and advocate for policies that will help them and others move forward.
Advocates included people like Sharon from Georgia, who was released from state prison in 1993 and, despite remaining crime-free, continues to face housing discrimination due to her felony record, at the age of 68.
Arrest and conviction records, and the barriers they create, are a far-reaching issue. It doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is, where you come from, or where you’re at now — you, or someone you know, have been directly impacted by the justice system. But our continued work with Clean Slate in the states, and the growing support for the federal Clean Slate Act, are clear indicators that we’re heading in the right direction.