Julian Bond
By Herb Boyd
Managing Editor, Our World Today
New York—An organization or institution’s centennial is always a grand event, and when it’s the NAACP’s 100th
anniversary the ceremonies will probably as endless as they will be memorable. The NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization and nearly everybody that’s anybody is slated to participate in one of many workshops, plenary sessions, and special events.
On the morning of July 10, the nearly weeklong celebration features the youth at their finest during the ACT-SO competition. For the uninitiated, this is a kind of junior Olympics with a focus on brains, creativity and ingenuity, and over the years there has been no shortage of any of these elements.
Attempting to capture the highlights of the convention, which will host activities at the Hilton and the Marriott Marquis Hotels, is sure to exhaust even the most energetic attendee, so hopefully these abbreviated selections will not only represent some idea of the variety of happenings, but also help you decide which day and workshop is most attractive, though there are those who will probably hit all the high points.
Saturday, July 11 from 11am to 2pm—The Health Advocacy Lunch with Ms. Terrie Williams is the keynote speaker.
Sunday, July 12, at 8am to 10am—At the Prayer/Memorial Breakfast, the Rev. Al Sharpton is the keynote speaker. On this evening from 6pm to 8:30pm—First Public Mass Meeting, featuring Julian Bond, Hazel Dukes, Sen. Charles Schumer, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Monday, July 13 from 9:30am to 12:30pm—First Plenary Session with Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, as the keynote speaker. There will be greetings from Governor David Paterson, Rep. Charles Rangel, and current and former NAACP leaders Rev. Benjamin Hooks, Bruce Gordon, Kweisi Mfume and Dennis Hayes. Representing her late husband, Earl T. Shinhoster, is his widow, Mrs. Ruby Shinhoster.
This afternoon from 1pm to 2:30pm—Attorney General Eric Holder will be the keynote speaker at the Clarence Mitchell Memorial Luncheon. And later from 2:30pm to 4:30pm are a host of workshops on education with such notables as Dr. Charles Willie, Dr. James W. Loewen, and Dr. R. L’Heureaux Lewis. Running concurrently is the Legislative Agenda with such elected officials as Nydia Velazquez, Barney Frank, Roland Burris, Arlen Specter, Diane Watson, and Barbara Lee. At the Criminal Justice workshop Stephanie Bush-Baskette and Albany D.A. David Soares are among the panelists. On Health, former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, Monica Sweeny, and Glenda Smiley are the featured panelists and speakers. Noted activist and author Kevin Powell and Jeff Johnson are among the prominent panelists for the Youth Workshops at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Tuesday, July 14, from 9:30am to 12:30pm—Legislative Session with greetings from Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee. Actor/author Hill Harper is the invited speaker for the Youth Advisors Luncheon. Judge Greg Mathis is the keynote speaker for the National Membership Luncheon.
This evening from 8pm to 10pm—Hazel Dukes, president of the New York State NAACP Conference and the Convention’s host a Fashion and Arts Show.
Wednesday, July 15 9:30am to 12:30pm—Special Plenary Session will feature previous Spingarn Medalists Benjamin Hooks, Andrew Young, Vernon Jordan, Jesse Jackson, Sr., Lawrence Wilder and Colin Powell.
This evening from 3pm to 5pm—“The NAACP and the Global Village—Bold Dreams and Big Victories” with Hazel Dukes officiating and Dr. David Goately moderating a panel that will include the Honorable Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal, Hon. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Hon. Edwin Carrington, Secretary General of CARICOM, and Hon. Robie Olhaye, Ambassador to the United States from Djibouti.
Dr. Cornel West will deliver the keynote address at the Juanita Jackson Mitchell Youth Freedom Fund Awards Dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel from 7:30pm to 11pm.
Thursday, July 16 from 9:30 to Noon—Final Plenary Session, President Barack Obama is the keynote speaker. The Convention closes with the presentation of the Spingarn Medal to Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors.
