It’s CBC Season in DC! This year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 55th Annual Legislative Conference, taking over the city and bringing thousands of leaders, creatives, professionals & culture-shapers together from 9/16 - 9/20 for conversation, connection, celebration & community.
Beyond the official ALC55 programming, the week comes with its own citywide calendar of receptions, panels, HBCU gatherings, brunches, day parties, late-night moves & state and city-specific events. We sifted through all the goings-on to pull the experiences worth having on your radar, whether you’re here to network, learn, party or do a little bit of everything.
EDITOR’S PICKS
TUESDAY
🍸 CBC WEEK WARM-UP
The Pregame: CBC Week GroupMe Meet-Up & Happy Hour - Kaché | 5p - 9p, free with RSVP
Kick off CBC Week with the organizer behind the widely circulated CBC Week Events List and 2,000+ member GroupMe, Lizz Rene. The meetup takes over Black-owned Kaché with fellow Black professionals, drinks & PO’ UP!, Rene’s Black-owned party game celebrating the shared experiences that connect us
WEDNESDAY
🏛️ OFFICIAL DC WELCOME
Welcome to Washington Leadership Reception - Capital Hilton | 5:30p - 8:30p, free
Join Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, councilmembers & local business and community leaders for Washington’s official welcome to ALC55, with networking, a short speaking program & DC-based entertainment
💻 TECH + CAREER CONNECTIONS
AI in Action Mixer Powered by Salesforce & LinkedIn - 12 Stories | 6p - 10p, free with registration
Connect with Salesforce recruiters + tap into LinkedIn’s Rock Your Profile activation for career resources & a six-month LinkedIn Premium giveaway
🌙 BLACK EXCELLENCE + NIGHTLIFE
District Noir: A Night of Black Excellence - ZOOZ | 9p - 2a, free before 12a with RSVP
THURSDAY
🏠 HBCU MEET UP
HBCU House Presents: The Reception - The Gathering Spot | 6p, free with RSVP Connecting alumni, leaders, creators and brands through experiences rooted in HBCU culture. Black grads from all institutions welcome
🎶 CULTURE + CONNECTION
The Vibes & Vinyl Experience: The Sound of Us - WILD DAYS | 5:30p - 8:30p, free before 6:30p with RSVP
A rooftop dinner party-style experience celebrating Black music across generations with vinyl, Black-owned vendors, food, drinks & connection.
💻 BLACK TECH MIXER
Black Gov Tech Community Mixer - SOST | 6p - 9p, free
Black professionals across tech, consulting & government come together for networking, career connections & community.
🏛️ POLITICAL ROOM
Meet & Greet with Special Guest U.S. Senator Cory Booker - Kaché | 5p - 10p, free with RSVP
Hosted by New Jersey State Senator Benjie Wimberly and Maryland State Senator Nick Charles.
FRIDAY
🕴️ STYLE + LEADERSHIP
The Monumental Portrait: A Legacy of Leadership - Brooks Brothers | 3p - 5p, $40
Monumental Men’s Network brings Black leaders together for networking, live jazz + Brooks Brothers made-to-measure consultations & personalized styling
💜 BLACK WOMEN LEAD
#BlackWomenLead Reception - La Vie | 6p - 9p, free with RSVP
Black women leaders, advocates & changemakers come together for the 13th reception
🎭 SIPPING + STORYTELLING LIVE SHOW
Drunk Black History - Penn Social | 7p - 8:30p, $22
Comedians, writers, & experts get tipsy while retelling overlooked stories and figures from Black history during this live comedy show
🥂 WELCOME TO CBC WEEKEND
Welcome to DC: CBC Weekend Kickoff at Grazie Mille + Grazie Nonna - 9p - 2a, free before 10p with RSVP
Vinyl DJ experience, elevated attire encouraged
🎶 AFROBEATS + R&B
cadence // cbc welcome party - Eunoia | 7:30p - 12a, free before 8:30p with RSVP
SATURDAY
📚 CULTURE + CONVERSATION
“Where Do We Go From Here?” A Conversation with Legacy Black Publishers - Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage | 3p - 5:30p, $42+
Independent Black publishers talk history, survival, challenges & what comes next for Black publishing.
SUNDAY
🥂 CELEBRATING BLACK WOMEN OVER BRUNCH
Dope Black Girls Brunch - The Hamilton | 11:30a - 2p, $146+
Celebrating women in media, politics, business, and culture. The honoree and speaker lineup includes Janeese Lewis George, Nicole Venable, Laura Coates, and Dominique Broadway, moderated by Brittney Packnett Cunningham
🥃 WEEKEND WIND-DOWN
CBC Cigar Social - Dirty Habit | 3p - 8p, free
Keep scrolling for the extended CBC Week guide, organized by Experiences + Award Receptions, Social Events + Receptions & our State + City Reception Directory.
We’ll continue updating the guide as new events and details drop throughout CBC Week.
