By Ashlee Banks
Attorney and political commentator Angela Rye moderated a panel discussion titled, “Black Women Belong…in the Senate” on Sept. 13 during the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) 53rd Annual Legislative Conference located at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
The panel included Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Both Alsobrooks and Rochester are vying to become their states’ first Black female U.S. senator. In November, Alsobrooks will face off against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat, and Rep. Rochester will go toe to toe with Republican challenger Eric Hansen to represent Delaware in the upper chamber.
Rye told the AFRO she was pleased to be asked to host the panel discussion.
“Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester asked me to moderate this panel and it felt spiritual from the beginning,” said Rye. “When we think about what we’ve done to facilitate opportunities and spaces for people of color, it’s clear that whenever we come and we open up the door other folks come in with us.”