Contact: Dominic Hawkins, 516-633-9705, dhawkins@skdknick.com
NAACP hosts 109th Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX, bringing together social justice activists, artists/entertainers, Elected Officials; Civil Rights, Business, Social Justice Leaders
July 14 – July 18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
SAN ANTONIO (July 4, 2018) – Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, and as the nation suffers the effects of President Trump’s administration, thousands of activists, artists/entertainers, civil rights and social justice leaders will gather for the NAACP’s 109th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, July 14 to 18. Led by NAACP President Derrick Johnson, the five day convention will include continuing legal education seminars, federal legislative and public policy workshops, youth workshops, civic engagement workshops, a Hip Hop summit, Diversity Career Fair, plenary sessions, the signature NAACP Experience, and more.
As we tackle the difficult issues facing our nation, the theme, Defeat Hate – Vote was chosen to convey that the only way we can overcome recent instances of implicit bias, racial prejudice and intolerance is to use our vote as our voice this November, and elect officials that will uphold the dignity of our democracy.
A draft agenda and list of pre-registered speakers are available here. Members of the media are encouraged to register in advance here.
Note to reporters, producers, editors and hosts: For more information on interview opportunities, please contact Dominic Hawkins at 516-633-9705 or by e-mail at dhawkins@skdknick.com
WHAT:NAACP 109th Annual Convention
WHO:President & CEO Derrick Johnson of NAACP; Chairman Leon Russell, NAACP; Mayor Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio; Rep. Al Green (D-TX), Rep. Julián Castro (D-TX); Deval Patrick, fmr. Gov. Massachusetts; Tom Steyer, Philanthropist; Tom Perez, DNC Chair; Angela Rye; Tip “T.I.” Harris; Roland Martin, Host/Managing Editor, TV One; Opal Tometi, Black Lives Matter & Black Alliance for Just Immigration; Doug E. Fresh, Delisa Saunders, American Federation of Teachers; Sir the Baptist, Hip Hop’s Chaplain; and others. More speaker announcements to follow!
WHEN: Sunday, July 14th to Wednesday, July 18th, 2018
WHERE: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (HBGCC) | 900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
PRESS GUIDANCE
- All sessions are OPEN to the press unless otherwise indicated
- All press MUST register to attend the Convention here.
- Note: all plenary sessions will be live streamed.
- A DRAFT AGENDA and Speaker List is available at www.naacpconvention.org/schedule/
OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, July 14th, 2018 – 10:00am
Chairman Leon Russell, President Derrick Johnson, San Antonio Branch President Oliver Hill, Texas State Conference President Gary Bledsoe, and Youth and College Division National Director Tiffany Dena Loftin. Location: HBGCC
109th ANNUAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
View schedule for full program and locations, here
Saturday, July 14: NAACP Experience Grand Opening
Sunday, July 15: WIN (Women In Power) Empowerment Brunch, Public Mass Meeting (with Chairman Leon Russell, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg)
Monday, July 16: Opening Plenary Session (with President Derrick Johnson), Roy Wilkins Youth Luncheon/Hip Hop Summit (featuring recording artist and activist T.I. “Tip” Harris and Doug E. Fresh), Clarence Mitchell Memorial Luncheon (keynote speaker Deval Patrick), Federal Legislative and Public Policy Workshop (featuring Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-TX; Rep. Bobby Scott D-VA; and more)
Tuesday, July 17: Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Luncheon (with Rep. Al Green, D-TX), Civil Engagement Workshop, LGBTQ+ Workshop, Youth & College Strategy Sessions, Equity Inclusion and Empowerment Symposium
Wednesday, July 18: Labor Workshop & Luncheon, Spingarn / Thalheimer / Freedom Fund Awards Dinner
Other highlights include the 40th anniversary of NAACP ACT-SO (Academic, Cultural, Technical and Scientific Olympics) final competition and awards, a health pavilion, retail expo, veterans’ luncheon and a diversity career fair. More information about the 2018 NAACP National Convention, including a detailed schedule of events may be found by visiting naacpconvention.org. Media interested in covering the event should apply for credentials here.
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