Origins of the Congressional Black Caucus
Take an in-depth look at how, when and why the CBC was established.
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A legislative voice for African-Americans, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) traces its history back to the important civil rights victories of the 1960s. Founded in 1971, the CBC continues to be an advocate for African-Americans and other underrepresented people. Their efforts to affect positive change in domestic and international policy have helped to keep the concerns of the African-American community at the forefront of U.S. policy. Individual members have sponsored and passed countless bills that have been enacted into law. CBC members have been responsible for numerous laws positively affecting the lives of Americans.
The CBC has introduced and sponsored legislation on a range of issues, including voting rights, employment, education, health care and foreign policy. Making their legislative agenda known to the White House and in Congress, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus have been able to advance black political interests in the United States for more than thirty-five years.