This July, from the 11th through the 15th, the NAACP will host it’s 106th Convention in Philadelphia, PA, focusing on the theme – “Pursuing Liberty In the Face of Injustice.†In the wake of the social and economic unrest across the country, the NAACP will focus on building a broad based agenda around voting rights, criminal justice reform, health equity, economic opportunity and education equality ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
[Related: Michael Brown Shooting: NAACP Issues Statement]
“Our lives, our votes, our jobs and our schools matter,†said Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President & CEO. “I look forward to meeting with citizen leaders in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American liberty, who share these values and our unyielding commitment to protecting the lives of Americans, the sustainable jobs of our citizenry, our right to vote and the integrity of our democracy. As we head into the 2016 election, we must secure unfettered access to the ballot box for every American. The ballot box is our most powerful way to raise our voice.  Join us in Philly as we work together to find the solutions, strategies and inspiration for what yet ails our nation.â€
This year’s convention speakers include well-known, as well as the next generation of – civil rights leaders, elected officials, faith leaders, actors and community activists. 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.
In addition to the primary convention schedule, the NAACP’s Youth & College Division will host workshops, luncheons and forums throughout the week. Emerging youth from across the nation will be featured in the annual Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition beginning July 8. Students will compete in 26 categories including sciences, humanities, performing arts, visual arts, and business over the course of the event. Celebrity hosts will be serving as guest judges throughout the competition and hosting the closing awards ceremony.
“The NAACP continues to be on the frontlines in the fight for social justice,†stated NAACP Vice Chairman Leon Russell. “Civic engagement and turning out the vote must be at the forefront of our work as we move into this presidential election year.â€
This convention occurs a few weeks ahead of the kick off of the NAACP’s America Journey for Justice. Led by NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks, America’s Journey for Justice — a historic 860-mile march from Selma, Alabama to Washington, DC — will mobilize activists and advance a focused national policy agenda that protects the right of every American to a fair criminal justice system, uncorrupted and unfettered access to the ballot box, sustainable jobs with a living wage, and equitable public education. America’s Journey for Justice will unite partners from the social justice, youth activism, civil rights, democracy reform, religious, not-for-profit, labor, corporate, and environmental communities to call for justice for all Americans under the unifying theme “Our Lives, Our Votes, Our Jobs, Our Schools Matter.†America’s Journey for Justice will commence on August 1st to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. The march will feature rallies and teach-ins along the route, satellite events across the country, and a #JusticeSummer social media campaign — and will culminate in a Washington, DC rally and advocacy day.
For more information, including registration – visit http://naacpconvention.org.