President Obama's 2016 CBC Speech

Last night President Barack Obama spoke to the 48th annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Phoenix Awards Dinner for the last time as POTUS, and here is his speech.

 

President Obama's 2015 CBCF Phoenix Awards Speech

While as you readers know I was in Washington DC at the same time this speech happened on Saturday, at $700 a plate that CBC black tie Phoenix Awards dinner was way beyond my tight budget to attend.   But one of the reasons OUT on the Hill is held at that time of year inside the beltway is to give attendees traveling to DC for OOTH the option of attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation - Annual Legislative Conference.

I'm seriously thinking about if I' blessed to attend #OOTH 2016, showing up at CBCF-ALC panels next year and asking questions during the ones I attend that remind the Black peeps in that room that some Black people are trans, bi and SGL.

We need to do more of that to remind out own people that #WeExist,

Moving on.  

This is the speech that President Obama gave to the folks who attended this year's 45th annual Phoenix Awards dinner.

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FLOTUS Keynote Speech At CBCF-ALC Phoenix Awards Dinner

A little history was made Saturday night as First Lady Michelle Obama became the first FLOTUS ever to do a keynote address at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Phoenix Awards Dinner.

The Phoenix Awards Dinner serves is the closing event for the CBC Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, and honors four individuals for their contributions in addressing challenges facing the African-American community.

In case you're wondering who won those awards this year, it was Attorney General Eric Holder, Congresswoman Corinne Brown (D-FL), former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, and filmmaker George Lucas.

While the TransGriot was inside I-495 when it happened a mere subway ride away from me, I didn't go to this start studded event.   Neither did President Obama, who did the Phoenix keynotes in 2009 and 2010 but had campaign events elsewhere this year. 

But enjoy the video of our First Lady's speech .   And here's the link to the prepared remarks.

Rep. Cleaver Takes DNC To Church

I was going to compile a post (and probably still need to) that put together the best speeches from the recently concluded DNC, but this one needed its own stand alone post.

It's from Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO), the current chair of the Congressional Black Caucus who when he's not batting the Teapublicans is an ordained minister in Kansas City.

And he ditched his prepared remarks and took the DNC to church.


 

Rep. Keith Ellison Has A Message For Democrats

There a reason why I love Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)   He not only tells it like it T-I-S is, but he is a champion for progressive values and trying to get the folks who call themselves liberals to remember we are on the correct side of the moral arc of the universe.  It's time we remember that, honor the legacy of our proud heroes and sheroes and build on it. 

And now, take it away Rep. Ellison.

OUT On The Hill-Day of Reflection

My butt needs to be in bed getting some sleep for the day I have tomorrow at the CBCF-ALC and the NBJC sponsored panel discussion that starts at 9 AM EDT at the Convention Center.

Had a late night yesterday as part of a kick butt panel discussion on trans issues that could have gone another hour and still not addressed many of the issues we face as African descended trans people. I was still getting kudos about when I arrived at the Center of American Progress HQ for a panel discussion a little late because I overslept. 

Hey people, somebody had to write these updates you're getting about the inside I-495 happenings.

No More Down Low TV is videotaping much of what's going on with the NBJC Out on the Hill event and the 41st Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation-Annual Legislative Conference.

As I mentioned when I started the updates earlier in the week, it's been one of my goals as an activist to one day attend the CBCF-ALC, and it was even more awe inspiring that I imagined.  Everyone who is anyone in Black America from the political, entertainment and sports worlds is at this event.

Including this trans blogger from H-town who is soaking it all in

I was hanging out with some of my NBJC colleagues from New Orleans (and yes Mark, the Texans are going to beat Den Saints on Sunday) friends and our conversation was interrupted because one of their friends was greeted by CNN pundit Roland S. Martin's wife..

I wandered around the vendor area and DC homegirl Stacy Lattisaw was there in the book authors section taking photos with her fans.  Line was too long for my nosey behind to find out what was up, but it's on my ALC to do list for tomorrow.

Yep, THAT Stacy Lattisaw.  She was looking good for all you peeps who had crushes on her back in the day.   Speaking of looking good, the brothers are looking fly and the sisters are on their fashion A games.


But the ALC is also chock full of informative and thought provoking seminars.  I'm looking forward to checking many of them out in addition to the other sights, sounds, and delicious smells of the food wafting through the convention center.

I just decided to call it a day and get some sleep.  My body was crying out for it and I needed to peruse my program in order to figure out how best to efficiently maximize my time here gettin' my learn on.
 
I've waited ten years for this moment.   Definitely going to take advantage of it.

NBJC's 2nd Annual Out On The Hill Summit Coming Soon

I was highly upset that I missed last year's event, but the 2nd Annual National Black Justice Coalition OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit  is set to take place on September 20-25 and hopefully I can be in Washington DC for this one.

It's exquisitely timed so that it coincides with the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference and offers the opportunity for African descended TBLG people to add their voices to the the African American policy makes, organizers and concerned citizens who attend the ALC.

The Out on the Hill summit serves the same function as the ALC by giving Black LGBT activists a chance to interact with faith leaders, elected officials, thought leaders and youth discussing and strategizing about issues of importance to us     This year your registration fee for Out On the Hill also gets you access to the ALC as well.  

Kudos once again to the NBJC planning this summit, and if I'm blessed to make it, hope to see y'all in DC the weekend of September 20-25