A Call to Action for Black America
Washington, D.C. – September 24–28, 2025
As thousands gathered in the nation’s capital for the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, the air was thick with urgency and purpose. Between elegant dinners and thought-provoking workshops, one truth became crystal clear: Black America stands at a crossroads, and the path forward demands nothing less than our collective courage and commitment.
A Panel That Spoke Truth to Power
On one of those September evenings, Silent Cry Inc. hosted a transformative panel at Busboys and Poets titled “The Plight of Black America.” The room was filled with advocates, legislators, and everyday people hungry for solutions. Sponsored by the National Urban League, this conversation became more than a discussion—it was a blueprint for survival and resistance.
The panel brought together an extraordinary roster of leaders: Congressman Troy Carter Sr. (Louisiana), State Representative Natalie Collier (Texas), Blake from the National Urban League (Criminal Justice Division), and Cedric Hayes of the NAACP. Erica Loewe moderated masterfully, guiding dialogue with Jacqueline Robinson of People’s Action Detroit, Andrea James (gubernatorial candidate, Massachusetts), Sydney McKinney of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute in Brooklyn, and State Representative Lawrence Blackwell, Esq.
Community Safety in an Age of Militarization
At the heart of the conversation was a question that keeps many awake at night:
How do we create community safety in an era when military personnel are being deployed on American soil?
The answers came from lived experience, not theory. We must build comprehensive community safety plans, revitalize neighborhood watch programs, and become our brother’s and sister’s keeper. That means amplifying grassroots safety organizations, investing in mutual aid, and supporting community-centered social services that keep families together rather than tear them apart.
Standing on Business: Representative Collier’s Example
Representative Collier’s message stirred the soul. Her words were a rallying cry to support politicians who stand on business—those who defend democracy through action, not rhetoric.
America watched when she rolled her suitcase into the Texas chamber—an act of quiet defiance that required tremendous courage. While others signed pledges and went home, she stayed. She stood for Black women and girls across the nation, giving us all the dignity to stand in truth and transparency. That image—one woman refusing to back down—has become a symbol of resistance for us all.
The Fight Ahead: Gerrymandering, Redlining, and Voting Rights
The battles ahead are clear. We are fighting a war against gerrymandering, redlining, and the erosion of voting rights. But this moment is different: we are no longer voting simply because our ancestors did—we are voting for our children’s future. We are voting for ourselves.
Abolishing Slavery in the 21st Century
The panel also confronted the fractures within America’s justice system head-on. The message was unmistakable: We must abolish slavery by amending the 13th Amendment.
Yes—slavery still exists through the prison system, and we must end it.
Congresswoman Nikema Williams (Georgia) has led the fight in Congress, while Minnesota is making historic progress. Representative Kimberly Edwards (Michigan) introduced a resolution to abolish slavery, with the possibility of a state constitutional amendment in 2026. Change is possible—if we stand together.
Gratitude and Partnership
Silent Cry Inc. extends deep gratitude to the partners who made this event possible, especially Britton Smith of Reform Alliance, whose tireless work “standing in the gap” for individuals nationwide was instrumental in assembling this extraordinary panel.
A special thank-you to Angela Rye and the People Power Tour—for your vision, humility, and service to the people. The mutual aid work in communities like Sycamore and Oak was phenomenal, and Silent Cry was honored to participate.
Champions in Congress: Crockett and Pressley Lead the Charge
Thank you to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for speaking truth to power every day. Your ancestors—Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, and Coretta Scott King—are cheering you on.
Thank you to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for championing justice and advancing legislation on Post-Traumatic Prison Disorder. As mental health crises surge nationwide, this initiative is more vital than ever. Prison does not heal trauma—it deepens it. We urge Congress to take up this legislation.
To every minority representative who rises each day to fight in good faith: we see you. Your communities see you. Because there are a few who will always speak up—and their courage changes everything.
Training the Next Generation
The Congressional Black Caucus understands something essential: leadership must be cultivated now. We won’t find every future leader in college classrooms. The brightest minds may emerge from the streets, communities, and lived experiences that shape them.
Sometimes the best education happens outside institutions—through struggle, mentorship, and survival. As the late Steve Jobs showed, greatness doesn’t always come with a degree. Opportunity must be accessible to every young person with the courage to lead.
The State of Black America: A Call to Rally
Black America, we are in crisis—and we must rally together. The church and the streets must unite. Advocacy and legislation must intertwine. We must find ways to fund our own movements in an era when access to opportunity is being cut away.
The statistics are sobering: 350,000 Black women have lost their jobs since the Trump administration took office.This is only the beginning if we do not act. As the military invades our streets, food pantries empty, and education budgets are slashed, we must refuse to retreat.
We’re not going back.
A Call to Philanthropy and Community Investment
Now is the time for philanthropy to double down—invest in community-based solutions and mutual aid.
The person standing on the corner distributing food and clothing is more essential now than ever. We must fund education, homeschooling, and social services, because prison is not a hospital and drug use is not a crime—it’s a disease.
The Call to Action
Here’s what each of us can do:
- Donate to community-centered organizations—every dollar matters.
- December 3, 2025 is Giving Tuesday—support small nonprofits and grassroots leaders.
- Host a dinner, fundraiser, or online challenge to raise awareness and funds.
- Support candidates who reflect your values and your community’s needs.
If we fail to invest in our local changemakers, the safety nets in our neighborhoods will disappear. Let’s not wait until they’re gone to act.
Remember and Build
Remember Bloody Sunday.
Remember the March on Washington.
Remember the Million Man March.
Remember the boycotts, protests, and sacrifices that paved our path.
Let us build upon that legacy—so our children can inherit not only our struggle, but our triumph. The Congressional Black Caucus week reminded us that we already have the leaders, the vision, and the will. Now we need the resourcesand collective action.
The time is now. The work is ours.
Together, we will not only survive—we will build the future our ancestors dreamed of and our children deserve.
Get Involved
To learn more or support Silent Cry Inc.’s work, visit silentcryinc.org.
To donate this Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2025), seek out grassroots organizations in your community doing the vital work of mutual aid and community healing.
Silent Cry Inc. is currently seeking volunteers, board members, and fundraising partners.
We extend our deepest thanks to the New York Women’s Foundation, Delivering Good, Pajama Program, and Ford Foundation for supporting communities in New York, Michigan, and California.
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