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WASHINGTON - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) Board of Directors has elected Rep. Donald M. Payne of New Jersey as board chairman. Rep. Payne succeeds former chair Rep. Kendrick B. Meek who resigned from the Board to focus attention on his campaign for U.S. Senator.
Rep. Payne has served in Congress since 1989 and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health. He also is a member of two additional Subcommittees - International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight; and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Rep. Payne is also a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, where he serves on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education; and the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
He served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1995-1996, and is serving his second term on the CBCF Board. "It is a privilege to serve as a chairman of the CBCF," said Rep. Payne. "I look forward to working closely with the CBCF Board, the Corporate Advisory Council, and other friends and stakeholders to build upon and expand the incredible work being done through this organization."
Rep. Payne is taking the helm as CBCF is expanding its brand and stands on solid financial ground. Known for its premier Leadership Institute for Public Service, which has provided more than 1,000 stipend African-American internships and fellowships to students interested in civic and community engagement, the Foundation recently retired its mortgage, making it one of the few African American nonprofits in Washington to own its property. The Foundation also serves as a research body studying and evaluating problems found in inner cities which affect education, housing, health and other areas important to underserved communities.
"The tremendous contributions of CBCF in changing the political, economic and educational landscape of American politics is worthy of continuing and preserving for generations to come," said Rep. Payne.
"I am delighted to have Rep. Payne as our new chairman, since he brings a wealth of knowledge of CBCF and of the issues in which we are engaged," said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for CBCF. "As a former educator and corporate official, Rep. Payne will bring a unique perspective to the position. The staff and I are looking forward to working with him and the rest of the Board to advance the Foundation's mission while implementing the organization's strategic plan."
Rep. Payne will join a new slate of officers including A. Shuanise Washington of Washington Solutions LLC as vice chair; Elliot Hall of Dykema as treasurer; Kevin Brown of Dell as secretary; and Virgil Griffin of Boeing as assistant treasurer. Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana was appointed to the board as well.
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., established in 1976, is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.
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