No Guardrails on Progress: See You at CBCF Week
Happy September, and I hope you’ve been well.
This week, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is hosting their 54th Annual Legislative Conference in D.C. Usually, this is a highly anticipated week in politics as African-American leaders in politics, advocacy, and public policy come together to review the past, celebrate the wins and plan for the future. Usually, this is a week of making new connections and creating new opportunities.
This year will feel a little different.
President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to DC has muted the city’s tourism, service industry and quality of life. A conference that is built on cross town meetings, conversations at receptions and late night huddles could suffer. When considering attending this year, I had to consider the risk: Could I randomly get checked by the National Guard? Would they try to arrest me? Is it really worth it? The answer was and has always been clear: We keep moving forward.
Our fight will start at home.
In between tampering with our health care protections, indiscriminate arrests by ICE and attacks on free speech, this year has felt like one big psychop by the MAGA contingent to wear down Democrats, liberals and the left. The way forward will start with our communities and neighborhoods, organizing in spite of the vicious and careless opposition. For the last 15 years, CN4 Partners has built a team of thinkers and artists committed to building the Democratic and progressive majority
Catch us in DC this week, and let’s build the future.
Our associate/Spelman ‘25 alum, Ari Levin, and myself (Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc life member) will be in DC for the Annual Legislative Conference to not only connect with you and other politicos, but to show that nobody (not even the President) can stop communities from building their future. You can reach us at either ari@cn4partners or wes@cn4partners if you want to chat about politics, public policy or your next campaign.
Sincerely,
Westley Bayas III
