As we honor Women’s History Month and reflect on the enduring legacy of Black History Month, it is vital to spotlight the leaders who are not just witnessing history but actively writing its next chapter. On this episode of the Legal Lens Podcast, I had the distinct honor of speaking with Nicole Austin Hillery, the President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF).
I have spent my career devoted to law, public discourse, and dispute resolution. This devotion fostered a recognition that my role means more providing commentary; it is to act as a strategic translator for the issues that define our era. Whether I’m providing educational legal commentary on the latest occurrences in employment and workplace laws, or hosting my Legal Lens radio show and podcast, my mission remains the same: helping educate and enlighten people on the legal and policy issues that impact their everyday lives. Nicole Austin Hillery shares this passion.
An attorney by training and a warrior for justice by trade, Nicole Austin Hillery brings a lifetime of human rights advocacy to her role. From her roots in public housing to her tenure at Human Rights Watch, she has dedicated her career to closing the gap between the promise of American democracy and the reality lived by Black and Brown communities. Today, she leads an organization that serves as the “boots on the ground” for policy and leadership development in Washington, D.C.
For a deeper dive into how the CBCF is leveling the playing field and protecting the diaspora, Listen to our full conversation, here:
Navigate the Episode: Timestamps
- 02:20 – Growing up in Harrisburg: From public housing to “Project Kid”
- 04:30 – The middle school teacher who saw a future civil rights lawyer
- 07:10 – Matriculating at Howard University School of Law
- 10:45 – Transitioning from litigation to the power of policy
- 15:15 – The three pillars of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- 21:30 – Why voting is about power, not just a ballot
- 24:20 – Addressing maternal mortality and health disparities
- 29:15 – How the CBCF Executive Order Tracker empowers communities
- 31:20 – Celebrating 50 Years: Rooted, Ready, and Rising
From “Project Kid” to Civil Rights Leader
Every leader has a “North Star,” and for Nicole Austin Hillery, it was the community that raised her. Growing up in public housing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she didn’t see a “bad neighborhood”—she saw a cul-de-sac of love, open windows, and hardworking families. Her path was forged when she realized that outsiders held unfair assumptions about people like her.
“I grew up in public housing… I jokingly tell people I’m a PK, not a preacher’s kid, but a project kid. And I loved my community growing up. I didn’t know that people had bad feelings or thoughts about public housing until I started growing up and hearing people on the outside cast dispersions… those things used to make me really angry.” — Nicole Austin Hillery
The Howard University Influence and the Path to Policy
Choosing the right place to study law is about more than just a degree; it’s about inheritance. Nicole Austin Hillery sought out the “house that Thurgood Marshall built,” attending Howard University School of Law to learn the litigation strategies that changed the face of America. While she spent years as a litigator fighting employment discrimination and sexual harassment, she eventually realized that for immediate, systemic change, she had to move into the realm of policy.
“I’ve been blessed to be able to follow that path throughout… Once I determined that I wanted to be a civil and human rights attorney, it literally laid the groundwork for everything that I did. The internships, the summer jobs—it was my North Star.” — Nicole Austin Hillery
What is the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation?
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation was built to be more than a social club during its founding in 1976. Nicole Austin Hillery explains that the CBCF stands on three essential pillars: creating a leadership pipeline through paid internships, functioning as a scholarly think tank, and serving as a national convener for policy strategy.
“They realized at that time… that the young people who were getting leadership opportunities were those who were getting things like internships and fellowships in Washington, but they also recognized that internships and fellowships didn’t pay. They said, ‘We need to have a foundation that’s going to level the playing field.'” — Nicole Austin Hillery
Amassing Power: Voting, Health, and Economic Equity
At the heart of Nicole Austin Hillery’s human rights work is the understanding that civil rights are holistic. You cannot have quality education without economic justice, and you cannot have either without the power of the vote. In our conversation, she emphasized that voting is the ultimate tool for community self-defense, especially as the Voting Rights Act faces unprecedented challenges.
“Voting is about power. It is not just about going behind a curtain and determining who your next leader will be. It is about holding up those issues and values that you believe are most important to your community.” — Nicole Austin Hillery
Navigating Policy with the Executive Order Tracker
One of the most tangible tools developed under Nicole Austin Hillery’s leadership is the Executive Order Tracker. In a political climate where orders come out “fast and furiously,” the CBCF provides a way for everyday people to see how housing, economics, and technology policies (including the rise of AI) will impact their specific neighborhoods.
“The executive order tracker was a tool that we devised… they were coming out so fast and so furiously that it was impossible almost for community members to keep up with them. We wanted to provide a tool that would allow them to understand what each of these executive orders meant… in simple terms.” — Nicole Austin Hillery
Rooted, Ready, and Rising: The 50th Anniversary
As the foundation celebrates half a century of service, Nicole Austin Hillery is taking the work on the road. The anniversary theme—Rooted, Ready, and Rising—reflects a commitment to not just celebrating the past, but equipping the next generation to lead in the C-suite, the boardroom, and the halls of Congress.
“History shows the power of our people. The power of our people is that we go through change and we go through trials and tribulations, but as a result… we come out stronger, more resilient, with even more achievements.” — Nicole Austin Hillery.
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I have dedicated my career to helping litigants resolve their legal disputes through the mediation and dispute resolution process, and by helping dissect the legal issues that shape our public discourse and workplace dynamics, whether it be as a radio and podcast show host, or as a legal analyst in the news.
My mission as the host of the Legal Lens radio show and podcast is to empower you with objective, expert-driven insights born from years of practice at the intersection of law and society.
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Angela’s Other Work
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.