Avoice: African Americans in Congress

The CBCF Avoice Virtual Library is a premier source of information about historical and contemporary African American policy issues important to researchers, academics, educators and students.

Founded on January 4, 1969, the group was known initially as the Democratic Select Committee. The name was formally changed to the Congressional Black Caucus following a motion by Representative Charles B. Rangel of New York in February 1971. Representative Charles C. Diggs Jr. was elected as the first Chair of the CBC. Founding members included Representatives Shirley A. Chisholm (D-NY), William L. Clay (D-MO), George W. Collins (D-IL), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Ronald V. Dellums (D-CA), Charles C. Diggs Jr. (D-MI), Augustus F. Hawkins (D-CA), Ralph H. Metcalfe (D-IL), Parren J. Mitchell (D-MD), Robert N.C. Nix Sr. (D-PA), Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Louis Stokes (D-OH), and Washington, D.C. delegate Walter E. Fauntroy.

Avoice captures and preserves the rich history of African American political and legislative contributions for future generations.

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