Black Republican Leaders Commemorate 
March On Washington at Historic Holly Knoll

A Commemoration of  the Historic March on Washington at the Holly Knoll Mansion where, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. drafted portions of his “I Have A Dream” speech on a bench under a 400-year-old live oak. 

Participants included former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. and Former U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director, Kay Coles James invited former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Former Special Assistant to President Richard Nixon, Bob Brown; Radio Talk Show Host, Charles Butler; Former Lt. Governor of Florida, Jennifer Carroll;  Right to Life and Civil Rights activist Alveda King; Former U.S. Department of Commerce, National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Ron Langston; Former Maryland Lt. Governor and RNC Chairman, Michael Steele; and former Bush White House appointee Angela Sailor among others 

“Financial Services in Communities of Color"
 Hosted By Congressman Spencer Bachus

INSIGHT America Financial Services Policy Forum: Building Wealth in Our Communities.  Industry leaders engaged a diverse group of 50 congressional staffers and national thought leaders in a solution based discussion centered on free enterprise and personal opportunity.  The forum was hosted by Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) and Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. Featured special guests included:  The Honorable Alphonso Jackson, Vice Chairman J.P. Morgan Chase, Former Secretary of U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development; Lynette Bell, First Vice President, Community Development Manager, SunTrust Bank; Judy Chapa, Vice President for Community Service and Financial Literacy, The Financial Services Roundtable; and Dr. Rickie Keys, President, Renewal Financial Services, LLC.

Opinion Editorial: “Opportunity to Succeed” by Congressman Spencer Bachus & Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr.

The Historic Capitol Hill Debate 

Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-OK) was joined by Former Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) on Capitol Hill for a Black History Month Forum. The event was a salute to the Black Republican Congressional Staff Association and the Congressional Black Associates for their willingness to offer common ground solutions for communities of color. Staffers were given the opportunity to debate, to find common ground solutions and discuss 21st century policies for the issues of Socio-Economic Mobility and Inequality before an audience of congressional staffers, business and community leaders.

“Prisoner Reentry, Recidivism,  and Communities of Color" 
Senator  Rob Portman  

INSIGHT Policy Forum on Reentry Policy. The policy forum centered around reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, and strategies for reducing barriers to reentry and recidivism. The forum was hosted by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)  and former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. Featured guests included: Wade Henderson, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Jessica Nickel, The Council of State Governments; Hillary Shelton, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and Ronald Moten - Community Advocate.

Opinion Editorial:  "Reauthorize Second Chance" Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Former Congressman J.C. Watts Jr.  

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Professional Development

"Communicating with Communities of Color" featured Roland Martin, commentator for TV One Cable Network and host and managing editor of “Washington Watch with Roland Martin.” Martin spoke to over 15 congressional staffers about communicating more effectively with communities of color.

“Chiefs of Staff Roundtable” allowed 15 congressional staffers who are interested in becoming Chiefs of Staff to seek advice about professional growth. Rob Lehman, Chief of Staff Senator Rob Portman hosted the forum. Participants Included: Michael Kennedy, Chief of Staff, Senator Orrin Hatch; Stacey Barton, and Chief of Staff, Congressman Jon Runyan. 

INSIGHT America Launch Reception