Convention 2014 (Ticketed Version)
National Action Network 2014 Convention
April 9-12, 2014
National Action Network (NAN) will host its annual national convention this April taking place April 9-12 in New York City at The Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We hold this event in April, not just to commemorate the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, but to honor his legacy by proactively engaging in dialogue that will spawn change. This event will convene influential national leaders in civil rights, government, labor, business, media, and the religious community. The 2014 NAN national convention will address issues of civil rights and social justice including, gun control reform, education, health & wellness, economic justice and much more. The Convention will kick of with NAN’s annual Keepers of the Dream Award Gala in New York City. At NAN’s national convention in 2001, President Barack Obama delivered the keynote remarks at the Keepers of the Dream Awards Gala.
Detailed below you will find more information on the various events throughout the convention.
Panels & Break-out Sessions
Daily — April 9-12
Throughout each day a number of panels and break-out sessions take place. The topics include: Voting rights, Workers’ rights, 2014 Politics, Media, Healthcare, Youth, The Church, Education, Criminal Justice, Labor, Gun Violence, Real Estate & Foreclosures, Sports & Entertainment, and Community Empowerment.
Panel Topics Include:
Election 2014: Can America get it Right?…or Left?
Gun Violence: American Holsters – How the Gun Won: Discussion of the 2nd Amendment; Gun Policy & Violence in the USA
Immigration: Future of Immigration: Will America open it’s Doors
Women’s Braintrust: Collective Voices Calling for Change
Corporate Panel: How can Corporations Collaborate to Affect Change in the Community
Education for a Better America Presents: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM); Recapturing the Fundamentals
Black Intellectual Panel: The Black Intellectual in Contemporary America
Healthcare Panel: Implementing Change: You’re Enrolled, Now What?
Economic Development: Back to Basics: Finding Your Financial Freedom (Debt, Student Loans, Wealth Building, Investing)
Black Male Panel: Fatherhood & Mentorship
Entertainment Panel: Are We Living the Same Reality?
Young Professionals: Next Level Success
Revivals: Truth to Power Revival (2 nights) April 10 & 11, 2014
Media Panel: The Role of Media in Crafting the Social Narrative
Technology Panel: Making You More Connected: Broadband Opportunities
Criminal Justice: On Trail in America: Right or Wrong – Let the Jury Decide
Black Church Panel: Reframing the Church & State Debate: Civil Rights, Same Sex Marriage & Woman’s Rights
Crisis Panel: Healing Our Wounds – Addressing Past Trauma to Prevent Future Crisis
Measuring the Movement
McDonald’s Showcase of the Stars
Youth Summit Panel: Leaders of Today, Changing the World of Tomorrow
HIV/AIDS Awareness Panel
Mass Incarceration: Impact on Families & Society
Up in Smoke: Banning of Menthol, Legalization of Marijuana & Criminalization of African Americans
2014 NAN Annual Fashion Show: Flaunting My Expression
Plenary Sessions
Daily – April 9-12, 2014
In addition to the panels, there are also a number of plenary sessions that feature United States Cabinet members and other prominent individuals. In past years NAN hosted: President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, White House Advisor David Axelrod and other members of the Obama Administration.
Measuring the Movement Leadership Forum – Saturday April 12, 2014 at 9:00AM
Measuring the Movement brings together leaders in the civil rights movement to discuss ways to effectively and definitively advance the civil rights agenda. For the past two years, participants pledged real action to effectively combat many issues facing urban communities. Each year NAN reconvenes to pinpoint exactly which promises were delivered and how to create tangible results.
Community Resource Center
Daily – April 9-12, 2014
In support of NAN’s mission and its work to empower, in addition to a job fair, NAN’s Resource Center will be free to the public and house a plethora of resources from health screenings to education and social service materials. Overall, the NAN Resource Center will work to provide convention attendees with accurate information that can be used immediately to help better their lives.
Ticketed Events Include:
NAN Membership Reception – Tuesday April 8, 2014
Location: NAN’s House of Justice Auditorium 106 W. 145th Street, New York, NY. 10039
Annually NAN welcomes its members and chapter leaders to the convention at a special reception in their honor. Call 877-626-4651 for membership info.
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Keepers of the Dream Awards & Dinner – Wednesday April 9, 2014 7:00p.m.
The Keepers of the Dream Awards are given to those who have, in our judgment, continued to make real the principles for which Dr. King gave his life in their respective fields of work. The Keepers of the Dream Awards are the highlight of NAN’s annual convention and are held to bring together influential leaders in civil rights, government, business, and media to focus on the issues most important in civil rights that year. During NAN’s 20th Anniversary National Convention in 2011, President Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at this historic event.
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Women’s Power Breakfast – Thursday April 10, 2014
The women’s luncheon provides an opportunity to address issues that are of particular importance to women. Past participants have included White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Marian Wright Edelman.
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Bayard Rustin Labor Luncheon — Thursday, April 10, 2014
As National Action Network continues the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights; for equal justice under the law; for a stronger and more hopeful America, we are reminded that continuing the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. means continuing the pursuit of equality in education for all.
Honoring Randi Weingarten, President of American Federation of Teachers
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Dr. William A. Jones Memorial Breakfast – Friday April 11, 2014
The luncheon is attended by over 250 ministers from across the country and is named in memory of the late Reverend Dr. William Augustus Jones, Jr., former pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. As part of the luncheon program, NAN honors individuals for their contribution to social justice. Past honorees include: co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Fred Shuttlesworth, civil rights activist Otis Moss, gospel legend Timothy Wright, and NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes.
Executive Director’s Reception – Friday April 11, 2014
NAN’s Executive Director Janaye Ingram hosts the reception which brings together convention delegates and a diverse group of young professionals. The cocktail reception allows for delegates to network with one another outside the convention hall. This is NAN’s signature young professionals’ event, the ultimate party with a purpose. Attendees will include tastemakers and key influencers in the world of civil rights, politics, entertainment, philanthropy and business. Hip Hop legend Andre Harrell served as co-host for the 2010 and 2011 receptions.
Flaunting our Expression Fashion Show – Saturday, April 12th
Presented by Sharpton Entertainment, LLC, The annual NAN fashion show is catered to the youth and features the hottest trends in fashion with live entertainment. Former Hosts include: Rocsi Diaz, Justin Combs, Michael K. Williams, actor from HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and, Sandra Woodley, finalist on Season 1 of The Face.
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