Rooted, Ready, & Rising · ALC55

National Action Network at CBC 2026

The National Action Network joined leaders, lawmakers, and advocates at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 55th Annual Legislative Conference. Senior Vice President Ebonie C. Riley took the stage as a speaker, and Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III carried NAN's faith and public health witness across the week.

Event CBCF 55th Annual Legislative Conference Dates September 16 to 20, 2026 Where Washington, D.C.

National Action Network leaders at the CBCF 55th Annual Legislative Conference, ALC55, Rooted, Ready, and Rising

From left: Johnny Mack, Chair, International Affairs, National Action Network; Carra Wallace, Senior Advisor to Rev. Al Sharpton; Ebonie C. Riley, Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships; Trudy B. Grant, Manager, Religious Affairs and External Relations; Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III, Vice President, Religious Affairs and External Relations.

Ebonie C. Riley

Senior Vice President of Policy & Strategic Partnerships

A Seat at the Table on Broadband & Digital Equity

Ebonie C. Riley serves as Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for the National Action Network, the highest ranking woman in NAN's history. Previously NAN's Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief, she is the youngest policy director of any legacy civil rights organization.

From the halls of Congress to the office of the President and the chamber of the Supreme Court, Ms. Riley and her team advance a modern, equitable civil rights agenda, advocating for resources and policies that build economic and social equality in the spirit and tradition of Dr. King.

RoleSenior VP, Policy & Strategic Partnerships

MilestoneHighest ranking woman in NAN's history

FocusFederal policy, civil & voting rights, economic equity

At CBC 2026Panelist · Broadband & Digital Equity

On the Stage · ALC55

A Seat at the Table on Broadband & Digital Equity

NAN SVP Ebonie Riley moderated a timely discussion with Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, NCNW President Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, and Washington Literacy Center President Jimmie Williams on broadband access, digital skills, and AI literacy, and what it will take to ensure our communities are prepared.

Under this year's theme, Rooted, Ready, and Rising, Ms. Riley joined fellow leaders for the panel Preparing for the AI Economy: How Broadband, Digital Skills, and AI Literacy Create Economic Opportunity, presented by Comcast. She made the case that closing the digital divide is a 21st century civil rights priority. As broadband becomes the front door to jobs, education, healthcare, and the ballot, NAN carried the message that equitable access and the skills to use it must reach every community.

The Annual Legislative Conference is the nation's premier gathering on public policy affecting Black communities, convening members of Congress, advocates, scholars, and organizers for braintrusts and sessions across five days in Washington.

The Preparing for the AI Economy panel at ALC55, with Ebonie Riley seated on the panel

Ebonie Riley on the broadband and digital equity panel at ALC55

Ebonie Riley speaking on the ALC55 panel

Ebonie Riley addressing the room at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation conference

Ebonie Riley with National Action Network colleagues at ALC55

Ebonie Riley at the panel table with the ALC55 program

Ebonie Riley connecting with advocates at ALC55

Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III

Vice President, Religious Affairs & External Relations · National Action Network

A preacher of the Gospel, civil rights professional, and community organizer, Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III serves as NAN's Vice President of Religious Affairs and External Relations and pastors Charity Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina. At CBC 2026 he carried NAN's faith and public health witness across the week, from breakfast tables to the sanctuary.

Choose Healthy Life Breakfast

At the Table for Public Health

Rev. Rivers joined faith and community leaders at the Choose Healthy Life Breakfast, standing with the movement to end HIV and protect public health across Black America.

Congressional Legislative Gospel Extravaganza

Delivering the Invocation

Rev. Rivers opened the Congressional Legislative Gospel Extravaganza in prayer, giving the invocation and grounding the gathering in faith and purpose.

Rev. Nelson Rivers in conversation with a fellow leader at CBC 2026

Rev. Nelson Rivers with a fellow leader at CBC 2026

Reception · CBC 2026

Johnny Mack

Chair, International Affairs · National Action Network

Johnny Mack delivered remarks at a CBC reception, held alongside African Communities Together, carrying greetings and a message to the partners and guests gathered for the week.

Rev. Dr. Cassius L. Rudolph

Special Assistant to the President · National Action Network

Pastor, theologian, and social justice leader, Rev. Dr. Cassius L. Rudolph serves as Special Assistant to the President, Rev. Al Sharpton, at the National Action Network. At CBC 2026 he brought NAN's voice to the conversation on energy, equity, and economic opportunity.

Powering Communities Roundtable

The Future of Affordable Energy

Rev. Rudolph joined the roundtable Powering Communities: The Future of Affordable Energy, a member session on making energy reliable, affordable, and clean for families and businesses nationwide. He shared the table with former Congressman Kendrick Meek, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.

Friday · September 18

Roundtable at a Glance

Powering Communities: The Future of Affordable Energy. Friday, September 18, 2026, 10:00 to 11:00 AM ET, Room 202B, presented in partnership with Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future.

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The Work Continues in Washington and Beyond

From the Annual Legislative Conference to the House of Justice, the National Action Network fights for civil rights, voting rights, and economic justice every day. Join us.

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