Black Women’s Congressional Alliance and Black Men on the Hill Celebrate a Successful 5th Annual Holiday Reception

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 16, 2025

Black Women’s Congressional Alliance and Black Men on the Hill Celebrate a Successful 5th Annual Holiday Reception

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA) and Black Men on the Hill (BMH) hosted their 5th Annual Holiday Reception, bringing together congressional staff, policy professionals, and partners from across Capitol Hill for an evening of community, appreciation, and celebration.

Each year, BWCA and BMH partner to honor the remarkable contributions of Black staffers who help sustain the work of Congress and strengthen our democratic institutions. This year’s reception continued that legacy, offering a warm, energizing space where attendees could reflect on shared accomplishments and build deeper professional connections throughout the year.

Leaders from BWCA and BMH delivered remarks highlighting the importance of fostering environments where Black voices are valued, empowered, and uplifted throughout the policy ecosystem.

As always, this event was made possible by the dedicated support of our sponsors, each of whom play a unique and meaningful role in helping us invest in the next generation of Black congressional talent:

Empire Consulting Group – for its dedication to supporting diverse staff and fostering diverse environments. 

Bligen Advisory – whose advocacy for inclusive leadership in government affairs reflects the core values of BWCA and BMH.

Circle – for supporting economic access and innovation, and for uplifting Black professionals contributing to the financial policy landscape.

Altria – for investing in community-centered initiatives that strengthen professional pipelines and broaden representation across the Hill.

Oracle – for championing opportunities that equip staffers with the tools to help shape a modern and equitable digital future.

The Williams Group – for its unwavering support of Black leadership and its commitment to advancing representation within public policy.

We also extend heartfelt appreciation to the vendors and creative partners whose contributions brought texture, warmth, and celebration to the holiday experience.

A special thanks to the Members of Congress who attended and showed their continued support for the staff who drive the day-to-day work of the legislative branch with dedication and skill. Thank you, Reps. Robin Kelly, LaMonica McIver, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Wesley Bell, Emilia Sykes, Jahana Hayes, and Stacey Plaskett.

BWCA remains committed to uplifting, supporting, and celebrating Black women across Capitol Hill and the broader government relations community. The success of this year’s holiday reception is a testament to the enduring power of community and coalition-building.

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Diverse Staff Associations Statement on Women of Color in Congressional Staff Leadership Positions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 4, 2024

CONTACTS:

Lucas Lam (CAPASA), Lucas.Lam@mail.house.gov

Sidney Johnson (CBA), CommunicationsDirector@CongressionalBlackAssociates.com 

Karla Rodriguez (CHSA), Karla.Rodriguez@mail.house.gov   

Kellie Chong (CKASA), ckasaofficial@gmail.com  

Nimit Jindal (CSAASA), csaasa.info@gmail.com

Elain Shubat (MENASA), Elain.Shubat@mail.house.gov 

Lauren Henson (SBLSC), senateblackcaucus@gmail.com

Johna Mitchell (BWCA), blkwmncongressional@gmail.com

Marcus Robinson (BMH), blackmenonthehill@gmail.com

Diverse Staff Associations Statement on Women of Color in Congressional Staff Leadership Positions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association (CAPASA), Congressional Black Associates (CBA), Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA), Congressional Korean Staff Association (CKASA), Congressional South Asian American Staff Association (CSAASA), Middle Eastern and North African Staff Association (MENASA), Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus (SBLSC), Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA), and Black Men on the Hill (BMH) released data of women of color working on Capitol Hill in the 118th Congress.

“The staff associations representing staffers of color in Congress are once again sharing a brief analysis of women of color in leadership positions on Capitol Hill. Although we are proud that a number of new women of color were hired into senior positions in the diverse 118th Congress, we acknowledge that there is still significant work that must be done.

Together, our staff associations will continue to push for increased diversity on Capitol Hill, especially in the wake of the dissolution of the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). We are committed to working together with these women, along with outside stakeholders and organizations, to increase the number of senior women of color and to ensure that Congressional staff composition is reflective of the communities that Members of Congress represent.”

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Statement from BWCA Regarding Senator Butler's Historic Oath of Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 4, 2023

Statement from BWCA Regarding Senator Butler's Historic Oath of Office

The Black Women's Congressional Alliance, a voice of diversity on Capitol Hill dedicated to empowering, promoting, training, and retaining Black women Congressional staffers, released the following statement following the historic oath of office administered to Senator Laphonza Butler, the newest United States Senator from California, by Vice President Kamala Harris:

“We congratulate Senator Butler on her new position and recognize the dedication, hard work, and ambition she has shown throughout her career. We are confident that her leadership in the Senate will be an example of strength and courage for Black women across the country.”

Senator Butler's appointment is a milestone for women and particularly for Black women, who have been underrepresented in political leadership roles. It is a positive step towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society. We look forward to seeing Senator Butler's positive impact in the Senate. Her appointment also serves as a powerful reminder that representation matters and that diversity is essential for a healthy democracy. Senator Butler's success will be an inspiration to others, and we hope it will lead to further progress for women and people of color in government.

We congratulate Senator Butler on her appointment and look forward to seeing the positive changes she will bring to the Senate. We remain committed to advocating for more equitable representation and celebrating the success of women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.

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Black Women’s Congressional Alliance’s Chair and Co-founder, Keenan Austin Reed, and Senior Advisor, Hope Goins, Awarded at Washington Government Relations Group’s 2023 Tin Cup Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 28, 2023

Black Women’s Congressional Alliance’s Chair and Co-founder, Keenan Austin Reed, and Senior Advisor, Hope Goins, Awarded at Washington Government Relations Group’s 2023 Tin Cup Awards

Washington, D.C. - The Washington Government Relations Group (WGRG) held the twelfth annual Tin Cup Awards on Wednesday, July 19th where Keenan Austin Reed, Executive Vice President at Alpine Group and Chair and Co-founder of the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA), and Hope Goins, Staff Director of the House Committee on Homeland Security (Minority) and Senior Advisor to BWCA’s Hill Team were both awarded. 

The Tin Cup Awards pay tribute to individuals with a proven commitment to the enrichment of African-American government relations professionals. The ladies and gentlemen who are honored embody leadership in their fields for their proven commitment to diversity. Austin Reed received the Reginald “Reg” Gilliam Lobbyist of the Year Award and Goins received the Bennie G. Thompson Champion of Diversity Award. 

“For every Black woman that has dedicated her life to public service and advocacy and dreamed dreams so big and so insistent they won't let you rest, I want you to know that I see you and for as long as I am in this game you have a place at the table, your name is on the list, and you have got people. 

I will bring you into every room I enter and I know that you will do the same for me and for one another. It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of the talented women of the Black Women's Congressional Alliance.”

– Keenan Austin Reed, BWCA Chair and Co-founder

“I am grateful to the WGRG and WGRG Foundation for honoring me with the 2023 Bennie G. Thompson Champion of Diversity Award. This award is named for a legislator who is a prominent defender of our democracy and to be aligned with that legacy is truly a distinction. I’m thankful that so many people recognize my career as instrumental to the success of this nation. 

I realize that part of the reason I received the award is my BWCA colleagues always allow and provide me the space to grow and connect as I use this platform to advance black women across the Hill and beyond.” 

– Hope Goins, BWCA Senior Advisor, Hill Team

WGRG is a non-partisan, independent, volunteer association founded to enrich the careers and leadership abilities of African-American government relations professionals. 

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BWCA Honors Black Women Communicators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 3, 2022

BWCA Honors Black Women Communicators

For the 51st Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) Week, the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA) honored a powerhouse slate of Black women communicators who shape our culture, communities, and the public narrative. 

The honorees included Eva McKend, a National Reporter for CNN; Erica Loewe, Director of African American Media at The White House; Karine Jean-Pierre, Press Secretary at The White House; Earnestine Dawson, Digital Director, Democratic Caucus; Bernadine Stallings, Deputy Communications Director for Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (SC-06); Kirsten Allen, Press Secretary for Vice President Kamala Harris; and Rykia Dorsey Craig, Senior Regional Communications Director, The White House.

These honorees are driving forward real change in their current political roles and advancing opportunities for Black women while accelerating growth for their organizations. They have built an impressive track record as power players through their expertise in engaging the minds and hearts of audiences all over the globe, blazing the trail for the next generation of communicators to follow in their footsteps.

This prestigious group of women represents the most influential and inspiring female communications leaders. BWCA celebrated these communicators with a Sunday Brunch on October 2, 2022.

The Black Women’s Congressional Alliance has endeavored to serve the Capitol Hill community and its partners by elevating the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in public policy since 2018.

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Diverse Staff Associations Statement on U.S. Senate Most Recent Salary Data

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Diverse Staff Associations Statement on U.S. Senate Most Recent Salary Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association (CAPASA), Congressional Black Associates (CBA), Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA), Black Men on the Hill (BMH), Congressional Korean Staff Association (CKASA), Congressional South Asian American Staff Association (CSAASA), and Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA) released the following statement in response to Legistorm’s analysis of the U.S. Senate’s most recent salary data. 

“We are deeply concerned and disappointed by the Legistorm data released on July 11, 2022 regarding the pay gap of Senate staffers of color. Although the 117th Congress is the most diverse Congress in our nation’s history, non-white Congressional staffers serving in offices of both political parties still receive thousands of dollars less per year than their white counterparts. 

“It is clear that equal pay is still an issue in the Senate. Our staff associations will continue to support and advocate that all non-white Congressional staffers—at every staff level, both state and Capitol Hill offices—receive fair and equal compensation. We seek a commitment from Senators and senior staff to address this problem. It is unacceptable that an equally qualified Senate staffer of color will receive up to $12,000 less a year than their white counterparts. We will also continue to strongly advocate for offices to hire staffers of color at all levels of the Congressional workforce to ensure that diversity is an aspect that is never overlooked in an office.”

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BWCA Statement on the Supreme Court’s Overturning of Roe v. Wade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 24, 2022

BWCA Statement on the Supreme Court’s Overturning of Roe v. Wade

The Black Women's Congressional Alliance, a leading voice of diversity on Capitol Hill dedicated to empowering, promoting, training, and retaining Black women Congressional staffers, released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade:

“This week, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion in America. This decision will impact everyone, but its effects will fall hardest on people who already face barriers to health care: women of color, particularly Black women, as well as  people working to make ends meet, young people, and those living in rural areas.

Taking away this fundamental right will have a devastating impact on women’s freedom to make their own decisions about their health in this country. This decision is wrong and will harm millions of people, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color. BWCA condemns this unjustified, unprecedented stripping away of a guaranteed right that has been in place for nearly five decades.”

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