Solara Kelly, Programs Coordinator at NBCI Trust
Attending the 55th Annual Legislative Conference during Congressional Black Caucus Week was an incredibly informative and meaningful experience. The conference brought together thousands of leaders, advocates, organizations, and community members from across the country to engage in conversations surrounding issues affecting Black communities. One of our first experiences was exploring the main exhibit hall where dozens of Black organizations, nonprofits, and vendors gathered to showcase their work and promote their missions. We spent time at the Why We Can’t Wait Coalition booth, where we learned more about the continued legislative push surrounding H.R. 40 and the broader fight for reparative justice. The conversation emphasized that while financial reparations can help address general harm, there are losses that cannot simply be replaced, such as cultural traditions, family and community connections, and trust in our government. This reinforced for me why the work toward reparative justice is not only about addressing the past, but also about creating stronger communities for future generations.
We were also able to attend The Road to Reparations roundtable led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Why We Can’t Wait founder Dreisen Heath. The discussion centered on the ongoing work surrounding H.R. 40, including what advocates have done successfully and where there is still room for improvement. Hearing perspectives from people across the country gave me a better understanding of how broad and collaborative this movement is. One point that stood out to me came from NBCI Trust leader Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, who emphasized the need for stronger communication among those working toward reparative justice. Establishing consistent terminology and messaging can help advocates clearly communicate their goals while defending against disinformation campaigns that can create confusion and division. The roundtable ultimately gave me a deeper appreciation for the coordination, communication, and leadership required to advance this work.
On the final day of CBC Week, NBCI Trust sponsored Breaking Bread, an intimate gathering where women came together to share a meal and reflect on our experiences within the Black community. One of the most impactful moments was hearing the firsthand account of a Palm Springs Section 14 survivor. In 1965, residents of Section 14 were displaced when their communities were burned down and destroyed by the Palm Springs Fire Department. Decades later in 2024, the Palm Springs City Council finally approved a multimillion dollar settlement for survivors and descendants. Hearing directly from someone affected by this history reinforced an important theme from the week: financial compensation can address certain material losses, but it can’t erase the trauma, displacement, and disruption experienced by individuals, their families, and communities. We also used The Nap Ministry’s Rest Deck to discuss rest as a form of resistance, reflecting on what rest means to us and how caring for ourselves can help sustain long-term work required to serve our communities.
Overall, my experience at the 55th Annual Legislative Conference gave me the opportunity to listen, learn, reflect, and contribute to conversations about reparative justice alongside people committed to this work. I left with a stronger understanding of both the history behind the movement and the work currently being done to move it forward. More importantly, the experience demonstrated how advocacy, communication, community, and even rest all play a role in sustaining movements for change.