BALTIMORE – The NAACP’s 110th National Convention will feature a wide variety of events and workshops that will encourage attendees to get civically engaged around the 2020 Census and equip them with the knowledge to make their voice and vote count.
On Saturday, July 20, NAACP is partnering with Higher Heights for America and Emerge America to host a Roundtable Session on Black women running for office. This unique session endeavors to provide Black women with the tools necessary to run for office and more importantly, win. Featured panelist and trainers include:
- Karen Boykin-Towns, vice chair, NAACP National Board of Directors
- Glynda Carr, political strategist, advocate & founder of Higher Heights for America
- Joy Williams, president, NAACP, Brooklyn Branch and founder of LJW Community Strategies b
- A’shanti Gholar, political director, Emerge America and founder of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics
- Robin Williams, United Food and Commercial Workers Union International vice president and director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors
“When we think about the political landscape, Black women have become the most reliable progressive voting bloc in the U.S., helping to prevail victory in the 2018 midterm election and helping to elect the largest congressional cohort of women in history,” said Jamal Watkins, NAACP civic engagement vice president. “Not only do we want to highlight the importance of Black women running for office, but also Black women engaged in electoral politics.”
On July 21, the civic engagement team will host another workshop to serve as a continuation of the NAACP’s groundbreaking demonstration project of 2018, a multi-million dollar direct voter contact effort produced in the 2018 midterm election cycle. The workshop will focus on the 2019 and 2020 general elections. GSSA, a Colorado-based data analytics firm, will be on hand to discuss targeting for voter registration and mobilization. The workshop will feature Dr. Albert Yates, former president of Colorado State University.
On Tuesday, July 23, NAACP will host a final Census Civic Engagement Workshop that will focus on why it is imperative for diverse communities to be included in the 2020 census. Since its inception in early 2019, the NAACP’s census campaign has promoted full participation in the 2020 census amongst the Black community with a focus on Hard To Count (HTC) areas. The campaign is framed to offset the deliberate underfunding, exclusionary practices and lack of inclusive leadership at the United States Census Bureau. This session is structured to lift the importance of the 2020 Census and the shortcomings of the United States Census Bureau’s 2020 program. Featured speakers include:
- Mayra Macias, vice president, Latino Victory Fund
- Ebony Baylor, director of civic engagement, National Urban League
- Daniel A. Baxter, director of external affairs for Wayne County Representative, Warren C. Evans
- Ashley Allison, executive vice president of campaigns and programs, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
- Amari Fennoy, immediate past president, Spelman College NAACP College Chapter
- Jamal R. Watkins, vice president, Civic Engagement, NAACP
- Sheila E. Isong, national political director, NAACP (Session Moderator)
ABOUT NAACP 110TH CONVENTION:
The NAACP Convention brings together over 10,000 activists, organizers, and leaders to set policies priorities for the coming year. Highlights will include a Presidential Candidates Forum, a legislative session, a CEO Roundtable, LGBTQ workshop, the awarding of the prestigious Spingarn Medal to Ambassador Patrick Gaspard, and the signature NAACP Experience retail expo and diversity career fair. More information about the 110th Annual 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 press 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. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here.
