The National Urban League will convene in Washington, D.C., from March 16–18 for the Empowerment Summit—our premier policy event. This gathering brings together members of Congress, state leaders, and community advocates from across the country. Join us to engage with leaders, organizers, and partners as we tackle the pressing policy challenges affecting Black Americans and historically underrepresented communities.
 

Event Sponsors

Amazon DoorDash

 

EEI
meta mcd NCTA
     

Pharma

  Verizon

       

Legislative Policy Conference Agenda At-A-Glance

Wednesday | March 18, 2026

Location for all sessions: Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Auditorium, 125 E St. NW, Lower Level



 
Breakfast
 
  8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Location: Lower Auditorium Vestibule


 
Conference Opening
 
    Location: Lower Auditorium
MHM
Marc H. Morial

President & CEO, National Urban League



 
The Votings Rights Landscape: Where We Are and What's at Stake
  9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Location: Lower Auditorium
murray
Tara Murray

Executive Director & Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy

 

wartel
Jonae Wartel

Reclaim Your Vote Campaign Manager

 



 
From Crisis to Care: Reimagining Healthcare, Delivering Care for All
  10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Location: Lower Auditorium

 

briggs
Joe Briggs

Global Head of Partnerships, Amazon
 

 

gracia
J. Nadine Gracia

President & CEO, Trust For America's Health (TFAH)

 

marcus
Marcus E. Johnson

President & CEO, Springfield Urban League

 

mitchell
Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr.

President, National Medical Association

 

siegel
Bruce Siegel

Former President & CEO, Americas Essential Hospitals
 
 

johnson
Thomas Johnson

Executive Director, ASAP340B

 
 



 
Beyond Access: Building Digital Skills and Workforce Power in the Age of AI
 
  11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Location: Lower Auditorium
Aguh
Chike Aguh

Head of Innovation & Strategy, Kapor Center
 

 

davis
Danielle Canty

Director of Technology Policy, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
 

hall
Rahsaan D. Hall, Esq.

President & CEO, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts
 

 

huffman
Amy Huffman

Policy Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance

 

jones
Narda Jones

Founder & Principal, Acacia Hill Strategies

 

trusty
The Honorable Olivia Trusty

Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

 



 
Demand Diversity Press Conference
 
  12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Location: Lower Auditorium

Learn more about 250 America: A Guide for Defending Democracy


 
Lunch
 
  12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Location: Capitol Viewing Space (9th Floor)


 
The Future of Finance: A New Frontier for Black Wealth Creation
 
  1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Location: Lower Auditorium
busby
Ron Busby, Sr.

President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
 
 

johnson
Kristin Johnson

Former Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
 
 

kuhns
Christie Kuhns, Esq.

President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
 
 

george
Kyle George

National Political Director & Associate General Counsel, Earnin
 
 

richardson
Cy Richardson

Senior Vice President for Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League
 
 

thomas
Ashley Thomas III

President, National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB)
 
 



 
Break
 
  2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  


 
Powering Opportunity: Infrastructure, Innovation & Community Impact 
 
  3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  
cosic
Darija Cosic

Infrastructure & Energy Policy Manager, Meta Platforms Inc.

askew
Lakindra Askew

Vice President of Workforce Development and Programs, National Urban League



 
Powering Opportunity: Energy Jobs and Pathways to Economic Mobilty
 
  3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  
butler
Calvin Butler

President & Chief Executive Officer, Exelon

henricksen
Missy Henricksen

Executive Director, Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD)

 


 
Reception | Urban Leaders Awards Reception 
 
  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Location: NCTA, 25 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 100

 

ballard
Portia Ballard Espy

Mississippi Urban League
Leadership in Health Equity

bland
Gilbert Bland

Urban League of Hampton Roads
Leadership in Housing

carson
Gale Jones Carson

Memphis Urban League
Leadership in Equitable Justice

doucet
Kelly Doucet

Indianapolis Urban League
Young Professionals Champion

franklin
Patrick Franklin

Urban League of Palm Beach County
Leadership in Jobs & Workforce

hayes
Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05)

Congressional Leadership in Education
 

heard
Cynthia Mitchell Heard

Los Angeles Urban League
Leadership in Technology & Telecommunications

hopkins
David Hopkins

Urban League of Greater Hartford
Leadership in Education
 

lujan
Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM)

Congressional Leadership in Technology & Telecommunications

 

omar
Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05)

Congressional Leadership in Justice & Democracy
 

scott
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)

Congressional Leadership in Housing

 

tokuda
Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

Congressional Leadership in Health

 

warber
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)

Leadership in Jobs & Workforce