Readout of the Congressional Black Caucus Roundtable on Reparative Justice Legislative Strategy

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a convening on reparative justice legislative strategy on Capitol Hill. Led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the discussion brought together CBC Members, policy experts, advocates, and movement leaders to explore strategies for advancing a comprehensive federal reparative justice agenda.

The convening reflected the CBC's ongoing commitment to addressing the enduring harms of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism through policies that promote accountability, equity, and repair. The roundtable allowed participants to examine opportunities to strengthen coordination across federal, state, local, and institutional reparations efforts, as well as pathways for building broader public understanding and support for reparative justice initiatives.

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, CBC Members and attendees emphasized the importance of confronting historical injustices and addressing the persistent racial disparities that continue to impact Black communities nationwide. Participants discussed how reparative justice can serve as a unifying framework for advancing policies that acknowledge historical harm while promoting greater economic opportunities and civic participation.

The roundtable also provided an opportunity for CBC Members and participants to assess the current reparations landscape, identify legislative priorities, and explore strategies for coalition-building across communities, advocacy organizations, academia, and partners in government. The discussion highlighted the growing number of reparative initiatives advancing across the country in CBC member districts, and underscored the importance of connecting these efforts to a broader national agenda.

Participants also discussed several federal proposals that seek to advance truth-telling, accountability, and repair, including H.R. 40, legislation to establish a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission, the GI Restoration Act, and the Third Reconstruction Resolution. Throughout the discussion, participants emphasized that reparative justice extends beyond financial compensation and encompasses a range of policies designed to address longstanding inequities in housing, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, environmental justice, and democratic participation. They also stressed the importance of developing clear, values-based messaging that communicates the goals and benefits of reparative justice to a broader audience.

The convening concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration among CBC Members, advocates, and stakeholders to advance a bold and coordinated reparative justice agenda. CBC Members and participants affirmed that meaningful repair requires sustained federal leadership, community involvement, and partnership across sectors, and expressed optimism about the growing momentum for reparative justice efforts nationwide.

Members in Attendance:

• U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) Chair, Congressional Black Caucus

• U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

• U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05)

Participants:

• Dreisen Heath, Founder, Why We Can't Wait Coalition

• Kyle Bibby, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Black Veterans Project

• Richard Brookshire, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Black Veterans Project

• Jean-Pierre Brutus, Senior Counsel, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

• Kenniss Henry, National Co-Chair, National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA)

• David J. Johns, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, National Black Justice Collective (NBJC)

• Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, Board Member, National Black Justice Collective (NBJC)

• Damon King, Senior Counsel, Economic Justice Program, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

• Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Policy and Programs, National Black Justice Collective (NBJC)

• Courtney Leinonen, Researcher, Amnesty International USA

• Louis Romain, President and Founder, Why We Can't Wait Consulting and Justice Crew Consulting

• Nkechi Taifa, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Reparation Education Project