IBLC welcomes world to Indy this week for National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ Annual Conference

INDIANAPOLIS – Starting Thursday (November 30), the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) is teaming up with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) to host a four-day conference in Indianapolis to discuss issues of concern in the African-American community and encourage young people to take a more active role in public service.

The annual legislative conference, themed “Racing Toward the Future: Leading in a Time of Change,” will take place at the JW Marriott, located at 10 S. West Street in downtown Indianapolis, from Thursday through Sunday (December 3).

“We are proud to welcome lawmakers from across the country to Indianapolis this week for the NBCSL conference,” said State Rep. Cherrish Pryor(D-Indianapolis), IBLC chair. “It is an honor for the IBLC to serve as hosts for this event, which enables leaders within the African-American community to come together to address the most pressing issues of the day and form public policy answers that can be used at the state and federal levels to enact lasting reforms.”

Under the guidance of NBCSL President State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), the group has identified five pillars of action: education, economic and wealth development, health, infrastructure investment and improvement, and redistricting and the 2020 census. These topics will be among the many to be discussed at symposiums and meetings throughout the conference.

“Another highlight of the conference will be the Youth Legislative Day that will kick off the conference on Thursday,” Pryor noted. “Our organizations recognize the importance of engaging young people to be active participants in the futures of their communities, and we hope this day will inspire them to go back home and do more. There will be a Town Hall, mock legislative sessions, and speeches from VIPs like former Indiana Fever star and Olympian Tamika Catchings and former NFL player Marlin Jackson.

“Through events like these, we want to lay the groundwork for active participation in making the lives of the African-American communities across this country better,” she added. “The IBLC looks forward to greeting the world for these few days of education and empowerment.”

For more information on the conference, visit www.nbcsl.org/conference/schedule.