At Black Caucus Conf. in D.C., Butler Talks About AI, Jobs, Black Newspapers, and More
At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, held from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 15 in Washington, DC, Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) participated in a number of panel discussions covering a range of topics, including Artificial Intelligence Black women’s health and empowerment.
On Sept. 12, Butler hosted a panel discussion titled “AI and Economic Empowerment in Black Communities.”
During that discussion, Butler joined other leaders in AI to emphasize the importance of embracing AI in Black communities and using the technology to create economic opportunities. Other panelists included Megan Holston-Alexander, Partner and Head of the Cultural Leadership Fund at Andreessen Horowitz; Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and Executive Director of Black Tech Street; DeVaris Brown, CEO and Co-Founder of Meroxa and John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE.
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“Fewer people are going to be required across broader industries, particularly those in white-collar, traditionally white-collar positions,” said Butler to conference attendees. “Let’s take this moment today to get ahead of some of those workplace challenges.”
That same day, Butler and Sen. Mazie Horono (D-Hawaii) introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate called the Workforce of the Future Act. That bill proposes a $250 million federal government investment in educating and preparing students and workers in marginalized communities for jobs in AI.
“The purpose of this legislation is to solidify our commitment to today’s – as well as tomorrow’s – workers, preparing them to work in tandem with AI and to be ready for the jobs of the future” said Butler in a statement released Sept. 12.
That evening, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization serving and representing historically Black news outlets around the country, also honored Butler for her support of Black-owned media over the years.
Butler said she is intimately aware of the critical role Black-owned newspapers have played in informing the communities they have served over the last 197 years since the first Black-owned newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was published in the United States.
“Thank you for bringing us this far. And thank you for what you will do to continue to inform our communities, making sure our voices are represented in the publishing and media space,” said Butler.
At the conference, Butler also participated in a panel discussion on the Black women’s maternal health crisis and delivered remarks on about Black communities gaining access to the financial sector and capital at an event hosted by The Connective Capital Consortium Braintrust.
Rep. Barbara Lee Named to Official Advisory Board for Vice President Harris’ Presidential Campaign
On Sept. 10, Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) was appointed as a senior member of the National Advisory Board for Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Lee said she is proud to join the campaign supporting Harris, who is a Bay Area native.
“It is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” she said.
“We must work hard to spread Kamala Harris’ message and vision for the future of this country in communities everywhere from coast to coast,” said Lee.
“A vision of hope, of justice, of making it easier for low-income people and working people to not only get by, but to get ahead,” she added.
Lee recalled her long-term friendship with Harris highlighting that she would make an excellent president.
“I look forward to working with her and her team so that she becomes the first Black woman, first South Asian woman, and the first woman from the Bay Area to sit in the Oval Office,” said Lee.
California Emerging Technology Fund Awards $20,000 Grants to 36 Local Governments
Last week, the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) launched a program awarding grants worth $20,000 to 36 jurisdictions in the state to participate in the Local Government Best Practices Check List Project.
Under the program, local governments can use $20,000 in grants to help close the digital divide in their communities. The counties and cities are encouraged to distribute affordable internet service plans and available digital literacy training resources in digitally disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Sunne Wright McPeak, president, and chief executive officer of CETF, expressed gratitude to its partners for promoting digital inclusion in efforts to achieve digital equity statewide.
“There is so much power and innovation that emerges when we join forces to deploy high-speed Internet infrastructure and get all residents online — especially the most digitally disadvantaged residents in low-income communities,” said McPeak.
The 36 local governments awarded $20,000 grants include City and County of San Francisco; City of American Canyon; City of Artesia; City of Bell Gardens; City of Bellflower; City of Brawley; City of Cathedral City; City of Citrus Heights; City of Inglewood; City of Isleton; City of Long Beach; City of Los Angeles; City of Maywood; City of Moorpark; City of Ontario; City of Palmdale; City of Placerville; City of Rosemead; City of San Diego; City of San Luis Obispo; City of Sand City; City of Santa Paula; City of South El Monte; City of West Sacramento; County of Del Norte; County of Inyo; County of Marin; County of Mono; County of Napa;.
