Black lawmakers launch tour to mobilize historically black colleges

WASHINGTON — Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have launched a tour of black colleges and universities around the country, hoping to mobilize students, listen to their concerns and encourage more of them to step up as leaders.

It's one of several efforts by lawmakers and civic participation groups to spur a younger generation to become more politically engaged.

“One of the things that a lot of members have expressed real interest in is whether or not we can be a listening board for HBCUs or Millennials to make sure that their concerns and issues will be addressed by us,” said Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “The long-term goal is to do (visits) in as many places as possible.”

Thompson’s district is one of several planned stops on the Congressional Black Caucus’ tour of historically black colleges and universities this year. The caucus kicked off the tour earlier this year with stops at Xavier University in Louisiana, Morehouse College in Atlanta and Howard University in Washington, D.C.

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