Press Releases

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), all members of the CBC Diversity Task Force, will travel to Silicon Valley, August 2-4, 2015, to meet with executives at the country’s foremost technology companies and organizations as part of the CBC TECH 2020 initiative.  Launched in May, CBC TECH 2020 is a five-year plan developed by the CBC to address the underrepresentation of African Americans within the technology industry.

“Our goal for this trip is to encourage and partner with these organizations to implement a diversity plan that will place more African Americans in the tech pipeline,” said CBC Chairman and Co-chair of the CBC Diversity Task Force, Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC-01).  “This will potentially lead to a wide range of opportunities, from student internships to positions on the boards of tech companies.  Building a coalition of leaders from the public and private sectors ensures greater diversity and full representation of African Americans at every level of tech by 2020.”

“I am pleased to welcome Chairman Butterfield and Congressman Jeffries to the Bay Area for a series of high-level meetings with innovative tech companies.  This visit is another step toward opening doors of opportunity for African Americans in the booming tech sector,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-chair of the CBC Diversity Task Force.  “Increasing diversity and inclusion within the tech sector is not only a moral imperative, it’s good for business and vital to continue economic growth.  As we work to advance the TECH 2020 initiative and achieve full representation of African Americans in the tech sector, I look forward to continuing to work with these companies.  We must all play a role in finding innovative solutions that bring diversity to Silicon Valley.”

"The technology sector will increasingly be at the forefront of our country's continued growth and prosperity,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), CBC Whip and member of the CBC Diversity Task Force.  “In this regard, it is important to make sure that all Americans have an opportunity to participate in the innovation economy.  I look forward to meeting with the leaders of Silicon Valley to discuss advancing our shared commitment to this goal."

As part of the TECH 2020 plan, the CBC has outlined diversity principles, best practices, resources for African American students and entrepreneurs, and introduced legislation focused on increasing STEAM education. 

During the trip, members will visit companies that include Apple, Bloomberg, Google, Intel, Kapor, Pandora, and SAP.

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Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.

Media inquiries: Candace L. Randle at (202) 593-1331 or Candace.Randle@mail.house.gov

July 31, 2015

FOR PLANNING PURPOSE ONLY

PRESS CONFERENCE: CBC TECH 2020 Delegation to Silicon Valley

San Francisco, CA – On Tuesday, August 4^th, Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Congressman Hakeem Jefferies (NY-08) will host a press conference to discuss the CBC’s TECH 2020 Initiative and the delegation’s work in Silicon Valley.  The event will be followed by a roundtable discussion with organizations working to ensure a strong pipeline of qualified and diverse candidates for the tech jobs of today and tomorrow.  Members of the press must RSVP in advance by emailing James Lewis at: james.c.lewis@mail.house.gov.  A photo ID will be required to enter the building.

Who:     Congressman G. K. Butterfield, CBC Chair and Co-chair of the CBC Diversity Task Force

               Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Co-chair of the CBC Diversity Task Force

               Congressman Hakeem Jefferies, CBC Whip and member of the CBC Diversity Task Force

               Student, Level Playing Field Institute

When:   Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 10:30AM PT

Where: Bloomberg

140 New Montgomery Street, 22^nd Floor

               San Francisco, CA 94105

James Lewis

Communications Director

Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13)