AFT-Maryland took a delegation led by President Marietta English to Washington D.C. for the 44th annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. The conference featured brain trusts and issue forums that sought to address legislative concerns of those in the black community. Among the many panels held were Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) hosted event “Working Families Fight Back” and the American Federation of Teachers conversation simply titled “Education or Politics.”
The conference brought together thousands from across the nation from different sectors to have these important policy conversations. Industry leaders from community activism, education, labor, business, sports and entertainment. Many of the conversations focused on the societal relationship between law enforcement and young black men in the wake of the violent tragedy in Ferguson, Mo.
AFT Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Lorretta Johnson was a featured panelist along with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton and economist William Spriggs, discussing African-Americans in labor and education. The week is also famous for its evening receptions. There, attendees with various interest are able to network and mingle exchanging pleasantries, and business cards.