210. Rooted, Ready, and Rising: President Nicole Austin‑Hillery on Leading the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

In this episode of The Legal Lens, Angela Reddock‑Wright talks with attorney Nicole Austin‑Hillery, President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), about her journey from growing up as a proud “project kid” in Harrisburg public housing to becoming a civil and human rights lawyer and leading a premier Black policy institution. She shares how her single mother and an eighth‑grade teacher helped shape her path, and how that calling now shows up in CBCF’s three pillars: building a pipeline of Black interns and fellows, producing Black‑centered policy research, and convening leaders and communities through its Annual Legislative Conference and new “mini ALCs.” Nicole and Angela also dig into CBCF’s priority issues—voting rights and civic power, health equity, and economic empowerment—along with tools like the executive order tracker and Black Public Policy Playbook, all under the foundation’s 50th‑anniversary theme, “Rooted, Ready, and Rising.” Key Topics Covered Nicole’s upbringing in Harrisburg, PA public housing, the example of her “warrior” single mother, and the middle‑school teacher who pushed her toward civil and human rights law. ​Her path from housing and employment discrimination cases into policy work and national civil rights leadership. CBCF’s mission: paid pipelines for Black interns and fellows (including C‑suite roles), a research center, and major convenings like the Annual Legislative Conference and mini‑ALCs. Current focus on civic engagement and voting power, health equity (including Black maternal mortality), and economic empowerment as interconnected justice issues. Tools like the executive order tracker and Black Public Policy Playbook, and Nicole’s belief that everyday people—wherever they are—can be catalysts for change in this “Rooted, Ready, and Rising” 50th‑anniversary moment. 🔗 Connect with Angela:  InstagramFacebookLinkedInVisit Angela's Website