One of the biggest events during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) is the Saturday Prayer Breakfast. Through the years the breakfast has attracted a Who’s Who in the Black faith community and is one of the week’s signature events. This year is no different as the CBC Foundation has announced a stellar lineup for the 38th annual conference’s Prayer Breakfast.

The keynote message will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, the senior pastor of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York and president of Wilberforce University in Ohio. Dr. Flake formerly served in the House of Representatives representing Queens. His 20,000 member congregation in New York has become a national model for faith based community development as it operates commercial enterprises and residential projects, a 700 student private school and a variety of social service programs. Also participating at the Prayer Breakfast will be gospel artist Maurette Brown Clark , a 2000 Stellar Award winner for “Best New Artist” and a 2008 winner for “Praise and Worship CD of the Year.” The Prayer Breakfast will take place 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

“After three full days of discussing legislative issues and strategic planning, most attendees welcome this time during the Prayer Breakfast as one of inspiration and renewal, “ said Dr. Elsie Scott, Ph.D. CBCF President and CEO. “We are looking forward to Rev. Flake’s words of inspiration and Maurette Brown Clark’s musical ministry.”

The primary sponsor for the Prayer Breakfast will once again be the Atlanta based Coca Cola Company. Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones, Coca Cola’s vice president for global community connections, noted, “We say Coca-Cola exists to refresh the mind, body and the spirit, and the spirit is certainly refreshed during the Prayer Breakfast.” Ms. Jones, who also serves on CBCF Foundation’s Board of Directors, reflected, “We pray for the governance of the country, for the members of Congress and the members of the CBC.”

Caucus Members will use the ALC as an opportunity to sit with faith based leaders to discuss some of the pressing issues facing the Black community. Following the Prayer Breakfast Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), will co-host an invitation only ministers roundtable discussion on current events.

On Thursday September 25 Caucus Members Reps. James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and G.K. Butterfield(D-NC) will host a Gospel Extravaganza featuring gospel choirs from their respective congressional districts.

Events earlier in the week will also focus on the intersection of faith and politics. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-Fl) who chairs the CBCF’s Board of Directors will host an issue forum titled “Faith and Politics under 40” on Thursday, September 25. Rep. Al Green of Texas will host a forum titled “The Impact of Race and Religion on Politics in America” on Friday, September 26.

The events are part of the Annual Legislative Caucus (ALC), slated for September 24 through 27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Some 18,000 attendees are expected at what is the largest annual Black political gathering in the nation. The ALC is sponsored by the not-for-profit Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the policy arm of the 43 member Congressional Black Caucus, the association of Black members in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.