Dec 20, 2024 Story by: Editor
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) has been elected as the 29th Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), taking office in January for a two-year term. Clarke, who previously served as First Vice Chair of the CBC during the 118th Congress, has advocated for policies that address disparities in underserved communities, focusing on areas such as education, healthcare, housing, and public safety.
In her statement, Clarke emphasized her commitment to advancing CBC goals, including promoting voting rights, criminal justice reform, and economic equality. She also highlighted the CBC’s significant growth, now with 62 members across both the House and Senate.
Clarke stressed the importance of bipartisanship, particularly in supporting Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as Minority Leader of the House. She also voiced the CBC’s commitment to countering extremist ideologies, including those represented by Project 2025, a political agenda that she views as harmful to marginalized communities.
In her new leadership role, Clarke aims to uphold the CBC’s historic mission of advocating for policies that uplift Black communities and ensure that the Caucus continues to be a strong voice in Congress. As the first Black women jointly serving in the Senate, Clarke sees this as a testament to the strength and unity of the Black diaspora. Source: U.S House of Representatives