The Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA) recently celebrated the fifth annual BWCA brunch during Congressional Black Caucus Foundation week, honoring exceptional leaders and highlighting the organization’s growing impact on and off Capitol Hill. In this exclusive Q&A, we speak with BWCA Chair, Keenan Austin Reed, to reflect on this milestone anniversary, the remarkable contributions of this year’s honorees, and BWCA’s ongoing mission to cultivate the next generation of public policy leaders. Learn more from this FAMU Grad and Atlanta Native and how she and her team at BWCA are ushering in the future leaders of Capitol Hill.
5 Years of Empowering Black Women on Capitol Hill: A Conversation with BWCA
1. Congratulations on hosting the 5th annual BWCA brunch! Looking back over the past five years, how has the event evolved, and what did this year’s milestone mean to you and the organization?
Over five years, the brunch has become a tradition that people look forward to during Congressional Black Caucus Foundation week, a moment to come together, celebrate Black women’s leadership, and strengthen the relationships that sustain our work.
For me, this milestone was about seeing the community we have built. There were women in the room who helped lay the foundation for BWCA alongside women just beginning their careers. That is what makes this gathering so meaningful: generations of Black women connected by a commitment to public service and to one another. Our partnership with Punchbowl News and the British Embassy has helped make it a truly special occasion.
2. This year’s honorees are incredible leaders. How do their achievements reflect the broader mission of the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance?
Each of these women represents a different expression of leadership that BWCA exists to celebrate and advance.
Congresswoman Janelle Bynum made history as the first Black person to represent Oregon in Congress. That achievement expands what young Black women can imagine for themselves and where they can lead. As a fellow FAMU graduate, I also feel a special pride in her journey and what it says about the talent our HBCUs nurture.
PK Owusu-Acheaw represents the importance of Black women helping shape decisions at the highest levels of state government. Her work supporting Governor Wes Moore’s legislative portfolio puts her at the intersection of policy and execution where priorities become action. Having served as a chief of staff myself, I know the judgment and responsibility these roles require. It was important to celebrate a woman doing that consequential work behind the scenes.
Raven Reeder’s 22 years of service with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton represent a remarkable commitment to public service. Honoring her with the Spirit of BWCA Award was especially meaningful because sustained service deserves recognition. I know how much dedication it takes to support a member, lead a team, and serve constituents year after year. I wanted us to pause and celebrate that commitment and the institutional knowledge she brings to Capitol Hill.
Together, these women remind us that leadership takes many forms. BWCA’s mission is to ensure Black women are supported, valued, and celebrated across all of them.
3. BWCA has grown to over 1,000 members empowering Black women on and off Capitol Hill. What are some key initiatives or programs BWCA offers to help cultivate the next generation of public policy leaders?
We focus on practical career support and meaningful relationships. Our programming has included a Day of Action with résumé reviews, job-search guidance, conversations about moving between the public and private sectors, and career panels featuring senior professionals in legislative, communications, and administrative roles. We also convene policy discussions that connect our members with substantive issues and experienced leaders.
Just as valuable is the community itself: having someone to call before an interview, someone who will explain how an office works, or someone who will put your name forward for an opportunity. We want women to have support when they enter this field and throughout their careers as they grow into positions of influence.
4. What advice would you give to young Black women aspiring to enter public policy and make an impact on Capitol Hill?
Build your expertise, build your relationships, and be clear about why you want to serve. Learn the issues deeply, understand how decisions get made, and become someone people trust to deliver.
Invest in relationships with your peers. The people coming up alongside you will become chiefs of staff, elected officials, policy experts, and organizational leaders and you will grow together. Seek mentors, ask thoughtful questions, and pursue opportunities even when you do not meet every qualification. Your perspective has value. Bring it into the room, do the work, and help create opportunities for others as you advance.
5. How can we support BWCA? Anything else you want to share about the event or organization?
You can support BWCA by investing your time, relationships, and resources. Partner with us on programming, support our events, share job opportunities, and introduce our members to people and experiences that can help them advance. If you are in a position to hire, mentor, or sponsor someone’s career, we would love for you to engage with this community.
What I hope people take away from the brunch is the power of bringing Black women together. There is so much talent, knowledge, and generosity in this network. Celebrating that leadership is a joy; helping it grow is our ongoing work.
As BWCA continues to expand its reach and empower Black women across public service, its commitment to mentorship, leadership development, and community remains stronger than ever. To learn more about BWCA, get involved, or support their work, visit their official channels and join the effort to pave the way for future policy leaders.
