GALLERY: The Power Players at the Congressional Black Caucus Conference

The Root asked veteran Washington insider Nicole Venable to help us compile a list of the movers and shakers at this week's conference. This is the result.

1 of 14

Rep. Jim Clyburn

Clyburn is often described as the most respected member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He is arguably the most powerful as well in his capacity as the House majority whip.
2 of 14

Rep. Donald Payne

Payne is the chair of the Annual Legislative Conference, which means he is largely responsible for orchestrating what everyone else knows as Black Caucus Weekend. Payne is the first African American elected to the House from New Jersey. He succeeded Peter Rodino in 1989 after the legendary congressman retired. Payne has been active on issues involving Africa, especially the Darfur region.
3 of 14

Rep. Barbara Lee

The northern California Democrat holds the seat first won by Ron Dellums in 1971. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, she is charged with leading the 42 House members, a task that has been compared to herding cats. Lee drew national attention when she was the only member of the House or the Senate to vote against the authorization of use of force in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. She said she was not against going to war but against giving the Bush administration a blank check.
4 of 14

Rep. Kendrick Meek

The Florida Democrat is the only current CBC member running for the U.S. Senate. He is in a tough race against a popular governor and a Tea Party favorite. If he wins, Meek will be the first black member of the U.S. Senate from the South since Reconstruction.
5 of 14

Lisa Jackson

Lisa Jackson is the first African American to head the Environmental Protection Agency. She grew up in New Orleans and has been a key player in addressing the impact of the BP oil spill on her hometown and region. She may be the first EPA administrator to say the words "environmental justice."
6 of 14

Ambassador Ron Kirk

As U.S. trade representative, Kirk is involved in the tricky negotiations over international commerce that can have a profound impact on the U.S. economy. A former mayor of Dallas, Kirk has always had strong support from the business community. He has not hesitated to criticize China's Internet-censorship policies as an unfair barrier to trade.
7 of 14

Melody Barnes

Barnes left a senior position at liberal think tank the Center for American Progress to become President Obama's domestic-policy adviser. An attorney, she was chief counsel to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Proof that Barnes is an insider: She's played golf with President Obama -- the first woman to join a presidential foursome.
8 of 14

Michael Blake

Michael Blake is associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and deputy associate director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The duties of this Bronx, N.Y., native include outreach to key stakeholders in the African-American community, including the NAACP and the National Urban League. He was profiled by The Root last year.
9 of 14

Yelberton Watkins

Yelberton Watkins is chief of staff for Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. By virtue of his role, he is arguably the most powerful African-American staffer on the Hill. Watkins was on The Root 100 list of emerging and established leaders in 2009.
10 of 14

Lanier Avant

Lanier Avant is chief of staff for Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who heads the Homeland Security Committee. He is one of the youngest staff directors and one of the few African-American staff directors on the Hill. The committee he oversees is one of the most powerful, given its prime role in developing policies to protect the nation. Lanier is also known as the unofficial host of the CBCI Policy Conference in Tunica, Miss., that is well-attended by CBC members and senior K Street denizens.
11 of 14

Mike Strautmanis

As chief of staff for Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, Strautmanis is very much in the president's inner circle. He served as Obama's counsel when he was in the U.S. Senate. But Strautmanis was a confidant of the Obamas well before the election. He is said to be one of their closest friends, having met them when he was a paralegal at Sidley Austin, the Chicago law firm where both Barack and Michelle worked. The name? From his Latvian stepfather.
12 of 14

Marcus Sebastian Mason

Marcus Mason is a senior partner with the Madison Group, a boutique lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. He spent 15 years at Amtrak, working on transportation issues with Congress. Earlier, Mason built his knowledge of the Hill as chief of staff for two House members, including former CBC member Walter Tucker (D-Calif.). Mason works closely with a number of CBC members in the California delegation. He is on the board of the CBC Foundation.
13 of 14

Chaka Burgess

Chaka Burgess is a lobbyist for Amgen, the powerful biotech company. Burgess has a history of working in the pharmaceutical sector. His résumé includes stints at Eli Lilly and the National Medical Association. A Howard University grad, this former Bison is a power player with strong connections in both political Washington and local "deecee." Burgess sits on the board of the CBC Foundation.
14 of 14

John Hughes

John Hughes is senior policy adviser to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Hughes is kept busy dealing with financial services and trade issues for the majority leader. Earlier, he was counsel to the House financial services committee.