Photo of National Action Network Convention 2024
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement to clarify the organization’s process to identify companies it will boycott this spring over their decision to turn back on their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. While there are many appreciated efforts by various organizations, Rev. Sharpton and NAN will announce the boycott they authorized at the NAN Convention held in New York City from April 2nd to April 5th.
For Hotel Booking:
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
811 7th Avenue • New York, NY 10019
2025 NAN CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
CHAPTER LEADER RECEPTION
House of Justice | 106 W. 145th St, New York, NY
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8:00 am - 3:00 pm
REGISTRATION
Back Lobby - 1st Floor
9:00 am – 9:45 am
RIBBON CUTTING & OPENING REMARKS
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman, National Board of Directors, and Elected Officials
The Honorable Mayor Eric Adams, Mayor, New York City
The Honorable Adrienne Adams, Speaker, New York City Council
The Honorable George Alvarez, Assemblymember, New York State Assembly, (Bronx, NY-78)
The Honorable Erik Bottcher, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Manhattan, NY-3)
The Honorable Gale A. Brewer, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Manhattan, NY-6)
The Honorable Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Queens, NY-31)
The Honorable Brian Cunningham, Assemblymember, New York State Assembly, (Brooklyn, NY-43)
The Honorable Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Borough President, (Bronx, NY)
The Honorable Eric Gonzalez, District Attorney, Kings County, (Brooklyn, NY)
The Honorable Crystal Hudson, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Brooklyn, NY-35)
The Honorable Rita Joseph, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Brooklyn, NY-40)
Comptroller Brad Lander, Comptroller, New York City, NY
The Honorable Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President, (Manhattan, NY)
The Honorable Nikki Lucas, Assemblymember, New York State Assembly, (Brooklyn, NY-60)
The Honorable Julie Menin, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Manhattan, NY-5)
The Honorable Kevin Parker, New York State Senator
The Honorable Keith Powers, New York City Council (Manhattan, NY-4)
The Honorable Kevin C. Riley, Councilmember, New York City Council, (Bronx, NY-12)
The Honorable Jenifer Rajkumar, Assemblymember, New York State Assembly, (Woodhaven, NY-38)
The Honorable Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, (Brooklyn, NY)
The Honorable Yusef Salaam, Councilmember, New York City Council, (New York, NY-9)
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION
Rev. Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Governor Wes Moore, Governor, Maryland
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
10:30 am – 11:30 am
EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR BLACK AND BROWN AMERICANS
Moderator:
Rev. Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Panelists:
Justin Brennan, Healthcare Policy Expert
Freeway, Hip-Hop Artist, Kidney Health Advocate
Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, (FPWA), and Vice Chairman, National Board of Directors, National Action Network
Rachel Noerdlinger, Co-Founder, HEiTC, and Equity Partner at Actum, LLC
Al B. Sure!, Singer, Producer, and President, Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition, (HETC)
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
FROM GRIEF TO ACTION: THE FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE CONTINUES
Moderator:
Benjamin Crump, Esq., Attorney, Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Panelists:
Gwen Carr, Mother, Eric Garner and Social Justice Advocate
Pamela Dias, Mother, Ajike aka AJ Owens and Activist
Philonese Floyd, Brother, George Floyd and Civil Rights Advocate
Terrence Floyd, Brother, George Floyd, and Co-Founder, We Are Floyd
Sybrina Fulton, Mother, Trayvon Martin and Founder, The Trayvon Martin Foundation
The Honorable Yusef Salaam, Council Member, New York City Council, (Manhattan, NY-9), Member, Exonerated Five, Activist, and Author
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
DEFENDING UNION POWER: PROTECTING WORKER’S RIGHTS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
Moderator:
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Panelists:
Claude Cummings, President, Communications Workers of America, (CWA)
Everett Kelley, President, American Federation of Government Employees, (AFGE)
Lee Saunders, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, (AFSCME), and Member, National Board of Directors, National Action Network
Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, (AFT)
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Alphonso David, CEO, Global Black Economic Forum
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Ari Melber, MSNBC Host
Al B Sure!, Singer, Producer, and President, Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition, (HETC)
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
2:30pm – 3:30 pm
HOUSING FOR ALL: CONFRONTING THE CRISIS OF AFFORDABILITY & EXCLUSION
Moderator
Dr. Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Community Uplift, Brookings
Panelists:
The Honorable Shaun Donovan, CEO and President, Enterprise Community Partners, 15th U.S. Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, and Former Director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, President, National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB)
Ann Oliva, CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness
Lisa Rice, CEO & President, National Fair Housing Alliance
Renee M. Willis, Interim President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
3:30 pm- 4:00 pm
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
The Honorable Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, (New York, NY)
Metropolitan East- 2nd Floor
4:00 pm- 4:30 pm
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Joy Reid, Author, Journalist
Metropolitan East- 2nd Floor
4:00 pm- 4:45 pm
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Moderator:
Benjamin Crump, Esq., Attorney, Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Panelists:
The Honorable Eric Gonzalez, District Attorney, Brooklyn, NY
The Honorable Matthew J. Platkin, 62nd Attorney General, New Jersey
Wylie Stecklow, Attorney, Wylie Stecklow PLLC
Damian Williams, Former U.S. Attorney, Southern District, New York
Metropolitan East- 2nd Floor
4:45 pm - 6:00 pm | Intermission
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
KEEPERS OF THE DREAM GENERAL RECEPTION
Empire Ballroom - 2nd Floor
7:00 pm
KEEPERS OF THE DREAM PROGRAM (TICKETED EVENT | INVITE ONLY)
Metropolitan Ballroom – 2nd Floor
Rev. Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Host: Anthony Anderson, Actor/Comedian
Presenting Guest
Martin Luther King III, Chairman of the Board, Drum Major Institute
Remarks
Pastor Jamal Bryant, Senior Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA.
Rev. Dr. Michael A. Walrond, Jr., Senior Pastor, First Corinthian Baptist church, Harlem, NY
Honorees:
E. Brian Dobbins, TV Producer, Talent & Literary Manager, Artists First
George Gresham, President, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
Pattie LaBelle, Entertainment Icon
Chris Matthews, Commentator, Former TV Host
Rev. Dad. Tecoy Porter, President, National Action Network, Sacramento, CA Chapter
Rev. Stephan Marshall, Special Liaison to the President, National Action Network
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7:30 am – 9:00 am
CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Empire East - 2nd Floor
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
REGISTRATION
Back Lobby - 1st Floor
8:30 am – 9:30 am
NAN BOARD MEETING
Central Park West Ballroom – 2nd Floor
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
NAN RESOURCE ROOM
Liberty Ballroom, 3rd Floor
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
RETIREMENT SECURITY
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Ken Martin, Chairman, Democratic National Convention (DNC)
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Rebecca S. “Becky” Pringle, President, National Education Association, (NEA)
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
11:00 AM- 12:00 PM
MEDIA: FINDING TRUTH IN THE AGE OF MISINFORMATION
Moderator:
Don Lemon, Host, The Don Lemon Show
Panelists:
Reecie Colbert, Host, The Reecie Colbert Show, SiriusXM
Errol Louis, NY 1, Anchor, inside City Hall, NY1
April Ryan, Washington Bureau Chief and Senior White House Correspondent, Black Press USA
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:00 PM-1:00 PM
CHILDREN OF THE MOVEMENT
Moderator:
Ashley Sharpton, Daughter of Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton and Dr. Kathy Jordan Sharpton
Panelists:
Hasan Flake, Son of Former Congressman Rev. Dr. Floyd and Rev. Dr. Elaine Flake
Heather Hayes, Daughter of Isaac Hayes
Ashley Jackson, Daughter, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Keisha Sutton James, Granddaughter of The Honorable Percy Sutton, Sr.
Ade Williams, Son of Lloyd Williams
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT LUNCHEON(TICKETED EVENT | INVITE ONLY)
Co-Chair:
Rachel Noerdlinger, Partner, Actum
Honorees:
Tatyana Ali, Actress, Activist
Dr. Stacie N. Grant, International President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Rebecca S. “Becky” Pringle, President, National Education Association, (NEA)
Melba Wilson, Proprietor, Melba’s Restaurant
Remarks:
The Honorable Letitia James, Attorney General, New York
April Verrett, President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Mrs. Linda Dunham, McDonald's Owner Operator NY/NJ
Fireside:
Tonya Lewis Lee, Film and TV Producer, Author
Minyon Moore, Former Chairperson, Democratic National Convention
Ebonie Riley, Senior Vice President, Policy & Strategic Partnerships, National Action Network
Metropolitan West Ballroom, 2nd Floor
1:00 PM-1:30 PM
FIRESIDE DISCUSSION
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Symone Sanders Townsend, Co-Host, MSNBC’s “The Weekend”
Alicia Menendez, Co-Host, MSNBC’s “The Weekend”
Michael Steele, Co-Host, MSNBC’s “The Weekend”
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
1:30 PM-1:45 PMPLENARY DISCUSSION
Alexis McGill Johnson, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
THE STATE OF LGBTQ+ RIGHTS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES
Moderator
Dr. David N. Johns, CEO & Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
Panelists
Christopher Huntley, Vice President, Executive Communications, Human Rights Campaign
Kenya Hutton, President & CEO, Center for Black Equity
Kierra Johnson, President, National LGBTQ Task Force and Action Fund
Allen Roscoff, Longtime Gay Activist, Co-Author, Nation’s First Gay Rights Bill, and President, Jim Owles Democratic Club
Empire East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL CANDIDATES & FORUM
Presented By: Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Candidates:
The Honorable Brad Lander, Comptroller, New York City, NY
The Honorable Adrienne Adams, Speaker, New York City Council
The Honorable Zohran Mamdani, Assemblyman, State of New York
The Honorable Zellnor Myrie, Senator, State of New York
Andrew Cuomo, Former Governor of the State of New York
Michael Blake, Former New York State Assemblyman, Former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Scott Stringer, Former New York Assemblyman, Former NYC Comptroller
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
PLENARY ADDRESS
The Honorable James E. Clyburn, Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives, (SC-6)
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
FROM STIGMA TO STRENGTH: A CONVERSATION ON BLACK MENTAL HEALTH
Moderator
Dr. Malcolm Woodland, Clinical and Forensics Psychologist
Panelists:
Dr. Jay Barnett, Mental Health Expert
Dr. Jamila Codrington, Licensed Psychologist, Founder & CEO, Asili Services, Inc.
Rev. Que English, President and CEO, Elev8 Health Inc.
George Leconte, CEO of NYC Health + Harlem Hospital
Marcus Smith, NFL Veteran, Founder/CEO of The Circle of M, Inc.
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
5:15 PM – 7:00 PM | INTERMISSION
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
NAN CHAPTER LEADER RECEPTION WITH REV. AL SHARPTON
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
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7:30 am – 8:45 am
CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Empire East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
REGISTRATION
Back Lobby - 1st Floor
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
NAN RESOURCE ROOM
Liberty Ballroom, 3 rd Floor
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
THE ATTACKS ON DEI: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Moderator:
Dr. Jamal Watson, Professor, Trinity Washington University and Executive Editor, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education
Panelists:
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Distinguished Professor, African American and Diaspora Studies, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Christina Greer, Associate Professor, Fordham University
Annette Gordon Reed, Professor, Harvard University
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS DISCUSSION
Moderator:
Reverend Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Panelists
The Honorable Aaron Ford, Attorney General, Nevada
The Honorable Dana Nessel, Attorney General, Michigan
The Honorable Matt Platkin, Attorney General, New Jersey
The Honorable Phil Weiser, Attorney General, Colorado
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
The Honorable William Tong, Attorney General, Connecticut
Metropolitan East - 2nd Floor
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
PLENARY ADDRESS
The Honorable Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives, (NY-9), and Chair, Congressional Black Caucus
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
RESTORING THE VILLAGE: COMMUNITY CARE IN BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH
Host:
Alicia Butler, Director, Health Equity Director, Program and Policy Liaison, National Action Network
Opening Remarks:
Regine Moore, Director, Constituent Relations Director, Walmart
Panelists:
Latham Thomas, Founder, Mama Glow + Mama Glow Foundation
Kimberly Seals Allers, Founder, Irth App & Global Maternal Health Advocate
Dr. Topeka Sam, Founder, Ladies of Hope Ministries and Advocate
Adjoa Kyerematen, Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs
Empire East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
PLENARY ADDRESS
The Honorable Joyce Beatty, Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives, (OH-3)
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
PLENARY ADDRESS
Stacey Abrams, Bestselling Author, Business Owner, and Political Leader
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
THE STATE OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN 2025
Moderator:
Rev. Steffie Bartley, Northeast Regional Director, and Member, Board of Directors, National Action Network
Panelists
Clayton Banks, CEO, Silicon Harlem
Nicol Turner Lee, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Governance Studies and Director, Center for Technology Innovation
Deborah Lathen, President, Lathen Consulting, LLC.
Tyrone D. Taborn, Publisher, Chairman & CEO, Career Communications Group, CCG
Alisa Valentin, Ph.D., Broadband Policy Director, Public Knowledge
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
INTERNATIONAL PANEL: THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE OF RACE AND INEQUALITY
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
REVEREND DR. WILLIAM A. JONES MINISTERS LUNCHEON (TICKETED EVENT)
Hosted by:
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman, National Board of Directors, National Action Network
Keynote address:
Rev. Dr. Ralph West, Pastor & Founder, The Church Without Walls, Member, NationalBoard of Directors, National Action Network
Special Remarks
The Honorable Al Green, Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives, (TX-9)
Honorees:
Bishop Charley Hames, Jr., Presiding Bishop 9 the Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Leah Daughtery, Presiding Bishop, House of the Lord Church
Bishop Mitchell Gordon Taylor, Senior Pastor, Center of Hope International, Queens, NY.
Bishop Frank A. White, General Board Member, COGIC, Jurisdictional Prelate 3rd Ecclesiastical District Eastern, NY, Senior Pastor, Zion Cathedral COGIC, Freeport, NY.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
THE BLACK CHURCH IN THE AGE OF TRUMP 2.0
Moderator:
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman, National Board of Directors, National Action Network
Panelists:
Bishop Charley Hames, Senior Pastor, Presiding Bishop 9 the Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Senior Pastor, The Cathedral International
Rev. Tisha Dixon-Williams, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Michael A. Walrond, Senior Pastor, First Corinthian Baptist Church
Metropolitan East – 2nd Floor
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
DATA PRIVACY & DIGITAL RIGHTS: AI LANDSCAPE
Moderator
Ashley Jackson, Producer, Writer, Actress, Content Creator, and Impact Leader *DNC Creator
Panelists
Raven Schwam-Curtis, Content Creator, Keynote Speaker
Sari Beth Rosenberg, Teacher, Writer, Content Creator, Co-Founder, Teachers Unity to End Gun Violence
Empire West Ballroom – 2nd Floor
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES: STRATEGIES FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Moderator:
Christian Matthew, President, Youth & College Division, National Action Network
Panelists:
Jackie Rowe Adams, President & Founder, Harlem Mothers Save
Jamie Bland, Anti Violence Activist/ Founder, Jumpstart Productions, President, National Action Network, Patterson, NJ. Chapter
Chris Curry, Anti Violence Series Producer
Morandon Henry, Everytown.org
Tiffany Lamela, Life Camp, Inc.
Minister Marquis Lewis, New Jersey Anti Violence Activist
Kevin Livingston, President & Founder, 100 suits
Chaplain Robert Rice, NYPD Clergy Liaison
Metropolitan East – 2nd Floor
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
THE STATE OF BLACK HEALTH: BUILDING A NEW NORMAL
Moderators:
Debra Fraser-Howze, Founder and Board Chair, Choose Healthy Life
Dr. Reed Tuckson, Former Commissioner of Health, Washington, D.C., and Former Executive Vice President, United Healthcare
Panelists:
Divinah "Dee" Bailey, Chief of Operations, African American Clergy and Elected Officials
Ruth Clements, President East Region, Quest Diagnostics
David Etzwiler, President and CEO, Siemens Foundation
Rev. Kimberly L. Williams, Executive Director, Choose Healthy Life
Metropolitan East – 2nd Floor
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | INTERMISSION
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
CIVIL RIGHTS FILMS & TALK BACK
FILM: STORM OVER BROOKLYN
TALK BACK PARTNERSHIP WITH IMAGE NATION
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
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8:00 am - 2:00 pm
REGISTRATION
Lobby - 2nd Floor
9:00 am – 11:00 am
SATURDAY ACTION RALLY LIVE FROM THE SHERATON
Metropolitan East Ballroom – 2nd Floor
10:00 am-11:00 am
THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
Rev. Al Sharpton, President & Founder, National Action Network
Live on WBLS-107.5 Fm radio
Metropolitan East Ballroom – 2nd Floor
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
MEASURING THE MOVEMENT
Moderator:
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network
Leaders:
Clayola Brown, President, A. Philip Randolph Institute, (APRI)
Melanie Campbell, President & CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
Damon Hewitt, President & Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Marc Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
Maya Wiley, President & CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights & The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Metropolitan East Ballroom – 2nd Floor
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
OPENING CEREMONY AND YOUTH DAY AWARDS
NAN Youth and College Honoree:
National Action Network Youth and College Chapter, LAS VEGAS, NV.
Led By: Tatiana Batie and La’rell Wysinger
LALA Anthony, TV Personality, Actress, & Founder of the La La Land Foundation’s “ThreeSixty”
Metropolitan East Ballroom, 2nd Floor
12:30 pm -1:30 pm
ARTIVISM: The Powerful intersection of Entertainment & Activism…
PRESENTED BY: BLACK MUSIC ACTION COALITION
Hosted By:
Willie Prophet Stiggers, Black Music Action Coalition
Empire East Ballroom– 2nd Floor
12:30pm -2:30pm
OUR PRISONS AND JAILS 2025- IMPLEMENTING HUMANITY, TRANSFORMATIVE/RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND SYSTEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY
Moderator:
Victor Pate, Chairperson, Second chance committee, NYC chapter, National Action Network/CO-DIRECTOR HALTsolitary CONFINEMENT COALITION
Dr. Vanda Seward, Criminal Justice Program Director/Professor, CUNY Kingsborough Community College,
Panelists:
Jack Beck, Former Director of the Prison Visiting Project at the Correctional Association of NY (CA) (2004-18)
Ousmane Diallo, Legislative Director, Assemblyman Al Taylor
Selina Fulford, Formerly Incarcerated person, Second chance committee member/activist
Johnny Perez, Director of NRCAT’s U.A. Prisons Program
Robert Ricks, Father of deceased Robert Brooks, Incarcerated Person
Empire West Ballroom- 2nd Floor
1:30 pm- 2:30 pm
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: NAVIGATING BUSINESS IN THE 21 St CENTURY…
TEEN ENTREPRENEUR PITCH CONTEST
Special Guest Judges:
Billy Council, CEO & Founder, The Councilhim Foundation
Samirah Horton AKA DJ Annie Red, CEO & Founder, You Are Never Too young to Make A Change
Carlos Swepson, Owner and Chef, Blvd Bistro
Empire East Ballroom– 2nd Floor
2:30 pm -3:30 pm
BLACK HISTORY MATTERS
Empire East Ballroom– 2nd Floor
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
THE STATE OF THE BLACK MEN IN AMERICA
Moderator:
Ousmane Diallo, Legislative Director, Assemblyman Al Taylor
Christian Matthew, Director, Youth & College Division, National Action Network
Panelists:
Terence Floyd, Brother of George Floyd, Founder, We Are Floyd Foundation
Maino, Rapper, Radio Personality
Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Black Music Action Coalition
Empire East Ballroom– 2nd Floor
4:30 pm |DOORS OPEN TO THE METROPOLITAN BALLROOM
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
ARTIVISM FASHION & TALENT SHOWCASE - powered by Sharpton Entertainment
Hosted By:
Greginald Spencer, The Apollo Theater Amateur Night’s “Set It Off” Man/ International Entertainer
Rev. Al Sharpton has been a prominent civil rights activist and leader for decades, working tirelessly to carry forward the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In his work, Rev. Sharpton focuses on combating racial injustice and inequality, advocating for social change, and empowering marginalized communities.
With a passionate and steadfast approach, Rev. Sharpton has organized and participated in numerous demonstrations, marches, and protests, seeking justice for victims of police brutality and pushing for comprehensive criminal justice reform. He has also been involved in voter registration drives and campaigns to ensure equal access to the ballot box.
In addition to his activism, Rev. Sharpton has built platforms to amplify the voices of those affected by social and economic inequalities. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio show and a television talk show, offering a platform for discussions on various social justice issues.
Rev. Sharpton's dedication and commitment to civil rights mirror the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who tirelessly fought for equality and justice for all. While Rev. Sharpton is his own unique advocate, he shares the belief in nonviolent resistance and the transformative power of social movements.
By embodying Dr. King's legacy, Rev. Sharpton continues to inspire others to stand up against inequality and work towards a society where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
