Ralph Jean-Pierre is proud of his jewelry that consists of rings, bracelets, necklaces and other accessories that include from organizations such as those who belong to the Divine Nine .
“My company Trendzio sells custom jewelry that is not too expensive but looks good on anybody,” said Jean-Pierre, 54, of his Syosset, New York-based store.
So, when Jean-Pierre heard that the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) was making its call for vendors for the 2024 Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in the early part of the summer, he didn’t hesitate to join the call.
After participating last year, he knew he wanted to be part of the CBCF ALC experience again.
“The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation conference is a festive event and a great time to sell my jewelry,” he said. “There are people here from all over the world and I have the chance to show my products, make contacts and bring in new customers. This event is profitable for me.”
Jean-Pierre joined scores of vendors in the exhibit hall on the second floor of Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest D.C. Vendors ranged from large corporations with displays consisting of several feet of props and personnel, to sole proprietorships like Trendzio seeking customers. In the hall were also federal, state and local government agencies, authors seeking to sell their books, nonprofits and advocacy groups informing attendees about their work and recruiting new members.
The vendors are an integral part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference experience because they generate revenue for the event and allow entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services and companies to present their products to conference attendees, who tend to have disposable income, foundation officials said.
The 2024 Vendors
Amazon served as a prime sponsor of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference and its presentation was prominent in the Exhibit Hall. The Amazon set-up was located in the middle of the vendors showcase with tall poles quoting statistics about its sales force and impact on small and minority businesses.
Corporations such as Google, Zillow, Disney and Coca-Cola had their set-ups at the front of the Exhibit Hall with attendees having the chance to interact with technology or get a sip of Coke products.
Behind the Coca-Cola exhibit were the various agencies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, each in separate booths talking to attendees regarding employment opportunities.
Other federal agencies such as the Office of Management & Budget were also there to recruit potential employees. Some agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service and the U.S. Census Bureau manned booths to give out information to attendees.
Color of Change, a racial justice organization, has a large booth with staffers seeking new members and giving out information.
“The CBC is one of our leading events,” said Kosoko Jackson, a communications leader at the organization. “It is the place to be for us.”
Jackson, 32, said Color of Change fit in well with the flow of the exhibit hall and he felt at home, even alongside some of the large corporations.
“We feel comfortable here,” he said. “We all have a role to play whether we are a corporation or an advocacy group.”