— Reacting to discontent from some in the African American community, President Obama spoke bluntly, calling on them to join him in pushing his agenda in the coming months.

Obama told the Congressional Black Caucus’ annual gala Saturday night that progress takes time, and called on them to stand with him.

“I don’t have time to complain.  I am going to press on. I expect all of you to march with me and press on,” he said, in a passionate crescendo at the end of his remarks to applause. “Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes.  Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying.  We are going to press on.  We’ve got work to do.”

The comments invigorated some, who argued they were legitimate in their complaint that the president had not done enough to address unemployment in the black community, about 16 percent.

Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Chairman of the CBC, said he wasn’t offended, but saw the remarks more as a “call to arms” to address the issue with the president.

“I don’t believe he had any intention to offend anyone and I don’t believe his comments were directed towards the CBC,” Cleaver told PoliticMo. “It’s time to get to work and we’ve been on the frontlines.”

Cleaver said his caucus has led on the jobs issue. The CBC launched its ‘For the People’ jobs initiative during the August recess, touring several cities holding town halls and jobs fairs, attracting more than 30,000 people.

Cleaver said while members of the CBC have proposed their own jobs proposals, he and his caucus have the president’s back on his own jobs proposal.

“We stand poised and ready to fight for the American Jobs Act,” he said. “This is a serious matter and the President encouraged us for the work ahead.”