Prince George’s County officials took center stage at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference, using the national forum to champion unity, voting rights and economic opportunity for their constituents.
Local leaders co‑chair the event
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D‑MD) served as co‑chair alongside Rep. Alma Adams (D‑NC). Ivey emphasized the importance of solidarity, especially after the Supreme Court’s recent Callais decision, which he said threatens Democratic representation in the Deep South. “When our communities come together, we move this nation forward,” he said in a video message.
Wealth‑creation panel led by Sen. Alsobrooks
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D‑MD), a former co‑chair of last year’s conference, hosted a panel focused on building wealth. She highlighted the need for affordable health care, education and housing as the foundation for generational prosperity. “We must move beyond living on the margins to living beyond our wildest dreams,” Alsobrooks told The Informer.
Mentorship and leadership pipelines
Shireka McCarthy, newly elected council president of Seat Pleasant and president of the Maryland Municipal League’s Black Caucus, praised the conference as a mentorship hub for rising leaders. She stressed the importance of developing knowledge, relationships and civic confidence to prepare the next generation for public service.
Housing discussion and early homeownership
Mayor Kayce Munyeneh of Cheverly, the first African‑American mayor of the town, spoke on a networking panel about homeownership. Citing statistics that Black homeownership has risen only modestly since the Fair Housing Act—about 42% in 1970 to 46% in 2024—she urged young people to buy homes early, build equity and use it to improve their lives.
Local officials share takeaways
Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor attended both the County Executive’s gala at MGM National Harbor and the conference sessions at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. He highlighted insights from Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. Jim Clyburn on affordable housing, youth workforce development and voting‑rights issues that he plans to advance locally.
Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast
The conference concluded with a Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast, where Rev. Dr. George L. Parks Jr. delivered the keynote. He called on attendees to “fight back” for causes such as voting rights, equal education, health‑care equity and justice for victims of racial violence, urging continued commitment to the legacy of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Trayvon Martin.
The event underscored Prince George’s County’s dedication to fostering leadership, economic opportunity and civic engagement, reinforcing the county’s role as a model for community‑driven progress.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
