Press Releases

Rev. Al Sharpton & National Action Network (NAN) to welcome Senior Presidential Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett for a keynote address during NAN’s Women’s Power Luncheon at NAN’s 20th Anniversary & National Convention

New York, NY (March 31, 2011) – National Action Network’s (NAN) Founder and President, Reverend Al Sharpton and National Executive Director, Tamika D. Mallory announced today that Valerie B. Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement will deliver the keynote address during their milestone 20th Anniversary Celebration and Convention “20 Years of Struggle, 20 Years of Progress… 20 Years of Shaping History” – April 6th- 9th  at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers – 811 7th Avenue, New York City, April 8th at noon.  This year’s luncheon will focus on five major health disparities that affect women: HIV/AIDS, Heart Disease, Cancer, Obesity, and Reproductive Health. NAN’s Women’s Power Lunch was created to provide a platform to celebrate and empower women who are trailblazers across the sectors of civil rights, government, politics, business, education, health, entertainment, and clergy.  The luncheon’s previous keynote address was delivered by Marianne Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF). Past attendees included, United States Cabinet Members, delegates, executives, clergy, celebrities, and social Influencers.

“As we prepare to empower and inspire our attendees, Valerie Jarrett immediately came to mind” said Reverend Al Sharpton. “Ms. Jarrett embodies the strength needed to ignite a movement of this magnitude.”  “NAN’s relationship with this administration, other government officials, and health organizations and the like, works in tandem with our unwavering commitment to uplift communities. Reverend Sharpton and I are honored to have Valerie Jarrett address this year’s power luncheon,” said Tamika Mallory.

National Action Network will mark t’s 20th anniversary April 6-9 and the convention will convene influential leaders in civil rights, government, business and media to focus on the issues most important in civil rights that year. Education, healthcare, youth violence and social justice will be the major issues addressed at the 2011 convention.  The four day event, which will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will consist of a series of plenary sessions, panels and special events. Past panelists and special guests have included President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Sean Donovan, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Speaker Newt Gingrich, and many others. There will also be a star-studded dinner honoring Muhammad Ali, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Samuel and Latanya R. Jackson and others.