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NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK (NAN) & REV. AL SHARPTON TO CONVENE 26th ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION APRIL 26-29 IN NEW YORK CITY,
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For Immediate Release
March 22, 2017
Contact:
Rachel Noerdlinger [email protected]
Ross Adair [email protected]
James Fields, [email protected]
To Register for Media Credentials: [email protected]
NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK (NAN) & REV. AL SHARPTON TO CONVENE 26th ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION APRIL 26-29 IN NEW YORK CITY, FEATURING NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS, ACTIVISTS, CLERGY, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, & SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES
Convention to Highlight NAN’s 26 Years at the Forefront of Civil Rights, Criminal Justice, Voter Rights, Education, & Racial Equality in the Spirit & Tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
New York, NY (March 20, 2017)— The National Action Network (NAN), founded by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, will convene the organization’s 26th annual national convention April 26-29 at the Sheraton Times Square (811 7TH Avenue @ 52nd Street). In an era of President Trump, NAN’s convention will be held in his home town, featuring high profile plenary sessions and panel discussions around crucial issues including voting rights, criminal justice reform, immigration, health care, education, corporate responsibility, economic equity and more.
On Wednesday, April 26, there will be a convention kick-off ribbon cutting hosted by Rev. Sharpton and NAN leadership with elected officials and community activists followed by an opening address by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who will discuss gerrymandering and voting rights. Other opening day highlights include a panel on the election and organizing with pollster Cornell Becher, Terry O’Neill, President of NOW, MSNBC Correspondent Joy-Ann Reid, and others. Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump will moderate a panel discussion about accountability in policing with many mothers of the movement including Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, Judy Scott, mo
ther of Walter Scott, Valerie Bell, mother of Sean Bell and Kadiatou Diallo, mother of Amadou Diallo, to name a few. The First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray will deliver remarks during a panel discussion on mental health in the Black community. Opening day will close out with the annual Keepers of the Dream Awards, honoring Harry Belafonte, Rev. Dr. William Barber, II, the pastor who organized Moral Mondays, Terry O’Neill the President of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and other national leaders. The awards, given each year in April to mark the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, honor those who have continued to advocate for the principles for which Dr. King gave his life. In 2011, former President Barack Obama delivered the keynote remarks at the Keepers of the Dream Awards.
On day two, Thursday, April 27, National Action Network will convene high profile community leaders, activists, elected officials, and media for discussions, including a panel on the legacy of Barack Obama moderated by CNN contributor Angela Rye with former President Obama officials. This will be followed by a discussion about the future of Black Intellectuals with Georgetown University professor and author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, William Jelani Cobb, Columbia University, Dr. Mary Frances Berry from University of Pennsylvania, and other scholars. The Women’s empowerment and networking lunch will honor April Reign, creator of the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, and recording artist MC Lyte, among others. The luncheon will be hosted by Mara Schiavocampo, ABC News correspondent. Day two will also feature a discussion about transparency in the media, featuring: Suzanna Andrews, contributing editor, Vanity Fair Magazine, Arthur Browne, Editorial Page Editor, Roland Martin, Managing Editor at NewsOne Now, Bill Ritter, co-anchor of Eyewitness News on WABC, Cheryl Willis, reporter with NY1 TV, Charles Ellison, Contributing Editor at The Root, Larry Young, Radio Host of WOLB 1010 AM in Baltimore, and others.
On day three of NAN’s annual national convention, highlights will include a panel discussion on dealing with gun crime in the community, moderated by Minister Kirsten John Foy, Northeast Regional Director of the National Action Network. The panel features Darcel Clark, Bronx NY District Attorney, Spike Lee, Film Director, Producer, Writer, and Actor, and Cyrus Vance, District Attorney of New York County, among others. Day three also features a panel on pension diversity funds, featuring: John Rogers, Jr., Chairman, CEO & Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments, Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, and Scott M. Stringer, NYC Comptroller, among others. The annual Ministers luncheon on day three will honor Bishop Marvin Sapp, Recording Artist and member of the NAN Board of Directors, as well as other prominent clergy.
On the closing day of NAN’s annual national convention there will be a special televised forum entitled “Measuring the Movement” hosted by Rev. Sharpton, featuring leaders from the legacy civil rights organizations and national elected officials. The day will feature various discussions for young people including activism in a social media era and a closing fashion show.
Each day of the NAN convention there will be a hackathon and technology competition, and each evening there will be revivals featuring leading national preachers. NAN’s annual national convention is a who’s who of civil rights leaders, elected officials, business executives, activists, clergy and more.
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender.
A Convention schedule will be released in the near future.
For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net