CONTACTS:
Dominic Hawkins / dhawkins@skdknick.com / (516) 633-9705
Vanessa Mbonu / vmbonu@naacpnet.org / (443) 900-1412
Media Invited to Attend Convention keystone events, the Civic Engagement Workshop and Final Plenary Session with speakers Tom Perez & Julián Castro
SAN ANTONIO (July 13, 2018) – The NAACP, the country’s oldest and largest national civil rights organization, will host a Civic Engagement Workshop, focusing on voting rights and voter protection, and will conclude the 109th Annual convention with a final Plenary Session.
The Civic Engagement Workshop will explore how we mobilize talent and leadership within the NAACP and across our partners to work within communities during elections, and will feature activist and philanthropist Tom Steyer. The NAACP’s goal is to build political power for the broader civil rights movement and strengthen infrastructure at local units.
The closing Plenary Session, on Wednesday, July 18th will demonstrate the power of electoral politics by convening two prominent leaders in Civil Rights advocacy and progressive causes, DNC Chair Tom Perez and former HUD Director Julián Castro, who will deliver keynote speeches.
These events represent the spirit and theme of this year’s convention, Defeat Hate – VOTE, by highlighting the necessity of widespread civic engagement and social activism.
WHAT: NAACP 109th Annual Convention – Civic Engagement Workshop & Closing Plenary
WHEN: Tuesday, July 17th at 2:30 p.m. – Civic Engagement Workshop
Wednesday, July 18th at 8 a.m. – Closing Plenary Session
WHERE: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (HBGCC)
900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
WHO: Civic Engagement Workshop
Tom Steyer, Founder of NextGen America; Managing Director Carmen Berkley of Planned Parenthood Action Fund; Litigation Director Marina Jenkins of National Democrat Redistricting Committee; President Carlos J. Clanton of National Urban League Young Professional; Secretary Treasurer Petee Tally, OH AFL-CIO Dayton; and Latoia Jones, Power Rising Co-Convener and Hustle Director of Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement; Director of Strategic Initiatives Ben Needham of the Human Rights Campaign; Executive Director Nse Ufot of New Georgia Project; Director of Civil, Women and Human Rights Nakisha Lewis of AFL-CIO
Closing Plenary Session
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Former Mayor of San Antonio Julián Castro; Chairman Tom Perez of The Democratic National Committee; Member Leonard James of NAACP National Board of Directors; Pastor Rev. Kevin P. Fauzs of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church; International Vice President Robin Williams of United Food and Commercial Workers Union; Director, Political/Electoral and Issue Mobilization Julie Greene of AFL-CIO; DeJuana Thompson, Partner at Think Rubix
More about the NAACP’s 109th Annual Convention
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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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. Learn more about the NAACP by visiting http://www.naacp.org/about-us/.
