News
Announcing Speakers and Focus of 2018 National Convention
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To register for media credentials for the convention, please click herehttps://goo.gl/forms/dY5hPrby7oiTp4f62 – Media Only
REV. AL SHARPTON & NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK (NAN) TO CONVENE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION APRIL 18-21 IN NYC FEATURING TOP NATIONAL LEADERS IN CIVIL RIGHTS, GOVERNMENT, THE BLACK CHURCH, LABOR, BUSINESS & MORE
50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to mark the opportunity for the civil rights community to refocus for the 2018 midterms under the shadow of a historically anti-civil rights President
New York, NY (February 27, 2018) — Facing a hostile presidential administration and an urgent need to mobilize voters for the 2018 midterm elections, Rev. Al Sharpton today announced the National Action Network (NAN) 2018 Convention, one of the largest free public civil rights conferences in the nation. The convention will take place in New York City amidst a time when the state of the union under President Trump is anti-civil rights and many of the achievements of the civil rights community are being undermined.
The NAN convention will bring together influential national leaders from the civil rights movement, government, labor, religion, business, media, the Black church and the activist community – to reflect on King’s legacy and impact while celebrating today’s civil rights leaders and examining the path forward.
Among the NAN convention headliners that will work to protect and advance Dr. King’s Dream and take on the destructive anti-civil rights policies of the Trump administration in the 2018 midterms include: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), Senator Cory Booker (NJ), Senator Kamala Harris (CA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), Congressman Al Green (TX), DNC Chair Tom Perez, former United States Attorney General Eric Holder, and Governor Phil Murphy (NJ), to name a few. Also featured will be the founder of the #MeToo Movement, Tarana Burke, Common, the first rapper to win an Emmy, Grammy and Oscar Award, and other distinguished participants like media analysts and strategists Joy-Ann Reid (MSNBC), Angela Rye (CNN), Symone Sanders (CNN) and Charles Blow (New York Times).
National leaders from around the country will join NAN in discussing critical issues including the Midterm elections, criminal justice reform, gun control, the digital divide, coalition building and intersectional activism, women’s rights, the Black church in the age of Trump, education and much more.
A full convention schedule will be released in the coming weeks, including discussion topics and speakers.
Among the plenary sessions and other nationally focused discussion panels at this year’s convention, NAN will host the “Keepers of the Dream Awards” on April 18. The awards, given each year to mark the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death, honor those who have continued to advocate for the principles Dr. King gave his life for. The Awards will feature leading names in politics, entertainment, civil rights and business and will be released in the coming weeks. In 2011, NAN hosted then-President Barack Obama as he delivered the keynote remarks at the Keepers of the Dream Awards.
On the closing day of NAN’s annual national convention there will be a special televised forum entitled, “Measuring the Movement,” hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton and featuring leaders from civil rights organizations, activists and national elected officials who will assess the movement’s strengths and weaknesses as NAN recognizes the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. The final day will also feature various discussions for young people and a closing fashion show.
** Media Registration: Media interested in attending the Convention – on any or all days – should register for credentials at this link https://goo.gl/forms/dY5hPrby7oiTp4f62. You will be emailed a confirmation in the weeks leading up to the Convention date. **
WHAT:
National Action Network Annual Convention
WHEN:
April 18–21, 2018
Daily Schedule to Be Released
WHERE:
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
811 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019
About National Action Network (NAN)
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the country 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.
For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.
For More Information Contact:
Rachel Noerdlinger, [email protected]
Ross Adair, [email protected]
Alex Butcher-Nesbitt, [email protected] Phone: (212) 681-1380