Press Releases

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) today announced its new staff for the 114th Congress, which will serve under the leadership of CBC Chairman Representative G. K. Butterfield (D-NC).

“I am excited to welcome this new dynamic team to the Congressional Black Caucus and look forward to working closely with each of them,” said CBC Chairman Butterfield. “Collectively, this group of talented men and women bring years of experience and accomplishment to the CBC from their respective work in federal and state government, policy and research, law and the private sector. I am confident they will work diligently to ensure the vision and mission of the CBC is executed and communicated in an effective and efficient manner.”

Here are the new members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) staff:

Abdul Henderson

Executive Director

Abdul Henderson is the Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) where he serves as the strategic operations and policy advisor for the Caucus and its 46 members. While managing the daily activities of the CBC, Mr. Henderson works closely with Members and their Chiefs of Staff to coordinate and implement Caucus priorities and its legislative agenda.

Formerly, Mr. Henderson was the Director of International Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served as the principal policy advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs on matters relating to global and intergovernmental relations.

Mr. Henderson also served as the Chief of Staff to former Representative Diane E. Watson (D-CA) where as her chief policy advisor, he was responsible for developing and implementing all policy objectives, strategies, and operating plans.

As a member of the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Henderson was a member of 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO).  In January 2003, he was called to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Upon his return from the War in Iraq, Mr. Henderson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserved Medal with “M” device.  As a result of his heroism fighting as a foreign national with the British 16th Air Assault Brigade, Mr. Henderson qualifies for the United Kingdom’s Iraq Medal of Service.

Internationally recognized as an advocate for peace, Mr. Henderson was featured in the 2004 Cannes Film Festival Award Film "Fahrenheit 9/11." 

A native of South Los Angeles, Mr. Henderson graduated from Crenshaw High School, received his Associate of Arts Degree in Business from Santa Monica College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland University College.

Mr. Henderson is the proud father of two sons, Alexander and Lewis.

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Candace L. Randle

Director, Communications & Media

Candace L. Randle is an award winning PR professional with 15 years of experience and expertise in communications and public relations, which she will leverage in her latest role as Director of Communications and Media for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to promote the CBC’s initiatives and legislative agenda.

Previously, Ms. Randle worked as the Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs for The RLJ Companies where she developed a series of multi-tiered communications strategies to describe and promote the company and its chairman, Robert L. Johnson (founder of Black Entertainment Television - BET), and the diverse business operations within the RLJ corporate portfolio.

Her career highlights include having served as part of the political team for Hillary Clinton (2007), as a campaign writer and briefer for Al Gore (2000), as well as an aide in the United States Senate (2008) and the U.S. House of Representatives (2001).

During the tenure of her career, Ms. Randle has worked extensively in the political, public affairs, and media arenas, and has earned coverage in some of today’s foremost leading news outlets that include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, CNN, FORTUNE Magazine, Forbes, the BBC and The Washington Post.

Ms. Randle has been recognized by PRWeek, one of the industry’s top trade publications as one of its “40 Under 40: New Trailblazers” (2013); The Network Journal as a"40 Under Forty” Achievement Award recipient (2014); she has been featured in the High Profile section of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette (2014) for her work in politics and public affairs; and recognized by ESSENCE magazineas a D.C. Power Player (2014).

Ms. Randle graduated with leadership honors from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History, and she received a Master of Public Administration (MPA), summa cum laude, from the Institute of Government at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

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Kendra F. Brown

Policy Director

Kendra Brown returns to Capitol Hill as the Policy Director for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) following her time with Earthjustice, where she served as the firm’s Associate Legislative Counsel and worked within its policy and legislation team to build its coalition efforts.

Previously, Ms. Brown served as the Special Assistant and Counsel to Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) where she coordinated coalition outreach and community engagement, advised on legislation, and coordinated special events. Ms. Brown is also a former National Chair of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) and currently serves as the President of the NBLSA Advisory Board. 

She graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Business Management and began her seminary studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Brown completed her Master of Divinity at Howard University Divinity School and received her law degree from Vermont Law School. She attended the George Washington University School of Law for her Master of Laws.

Ms. Brown is committed to community engagement and empowerment. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated, and serves in a number of capacities that include: youth leader at her local church, as a member of the African American Advisory Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters, a board member of the Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, and the Young Lawyer’s Division Pipeline Committee Co-Chairman of the National Bar Association. 

Ms. Brown has received various awards, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Pro Bono Service Award, the Patricia Roberts Harris Award for Excellence, the George Washington University Law School’s Justice Thurgood Marshall Civil Liberties Award, the Hampton University Alumni Association Northern Virginia Chapter’s 35th Anniversary Alumni Award, the State of Maryland Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, and the Hall of Fame Alumni Award of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the National Black Law Students Association.  

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Kwame Canty

Director of External Affairs and Member Services

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Kwame Canty has developed a distinguished career in public service. In his role as Director of External Affairs and Member Services, Mr. Canty is responsible for CBC Member Services, management of CBC Taskforces, and logistical support for all CBC programing and member affairs. He is also responsible for leading the CBC’s coalition building efforts with external organizations.

Mr. Canty has worked under the leadership of two CBC chairmanships, including his tenure with former Chairwoman Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH) during the 113th Congress and currently under the leadership of Chairman Representative G. K. Butterfield (D-NC).

Prior to joining the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Canty worked in the office of Representative Edolphus Towns as a Senior Legislative Assistant. He was the lead staffer on all hearings related to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer, Manufacturing and Trade, where he also managed the full committee’s member services efforts.

Mr. Canty also worked in the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Clerk, under the leadership of Lorraine C. Miller, where he assisted House Members with introducing legislation, amendments and statements for the Congressional record.

Mr. Canty is a graduate of Hampton University and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

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Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit /

Media inquiries: Candace L. Randle at (202) 593-1331 or Candace.Randle@mail.house.gov

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