The New York State Association of Black, Puerto-Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators (NYSABPRHAL) held its 53rd Annual Legislative Conference upstate in Albany this past weekend. The conference and weekend-long bash was themed “The AI Renaissance – Navigating Our Future” this year.
“The Association’s Annual Legislative Conference is an empowering and immersive experience held each year to celebrate our community’s collective power. Caucus Weekend attracts innovative change-makers, thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, entertainers, influencers, and creatives to network and exchange ideas,” said Walker, who chairs the NYSABPRHAL.
The conference is affectionately known as “Caucus Weekend” as elected officials from all over the state descend on Albany for the whole weekend, flooding hotels and nearby restaurants. It’s headed by Chairperson/Assemblymember Latrice Walker and Executive Director Charlene Gayle.
The conference convened policymakers, leaders, advocates, and any member of the public that braved the trip to the state’s capital to see their elected officials up close. Participants attended a series of discussions between voters and electeds focused on cultural and legislative issues like reparations, artificial intelligence, affirmative action, small businesses, criminal justice reforms, bias in medicine, mental health, Black maternal health, the state’s migrant crisis, and social equity in cannabis. Highlighted events include the Interfaith Clergy Breakfast, the Tomorrow’s Leaders Conference & Youth Summit, the Labor Luncheon, the Women’s Empowerment Brunch, and the minority and/or women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) Networking Reception.
“We gather collectively every February during Black History Month to foster our intergenerational approach to advocacy,” said Gayle in a statement. “Policy discussions, luncheons, and the exhibition hall connect activists, allies, and entrepreneurs from varying backgrounds who are all committed to the same thing: thriving together.”
This year’s conference showcases international and local vendors as well as entertainers. The lineup included headliners like legendary R&B vocalist Tank and Grammy-nominated superstar Rick Ross.
“Over the three days of this Conference, New Yorkers will come together not only to agitate and legislate,” said Gayle, “but also to celebrate… to enjoy our unity, lift up our culture, and dance the way King David danced, into victories that will lift up nations of our people towards progress.”
And of course, the conference’s Scholarship Gala Dinner always closes out Caucus Weekend with flair. The dinner recognizes the 2024 NYSABPRHAL scholarship winners that have contributed to society while uplifting and empowering communities of color. Walker said that the NYSABPRHAL has doled out over $150,000 in scholarships to hundreds of young New Yorkers through their youth scholarship program.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.