Political leaders Hillary Clinton, Al Greene, Tom Scott, and Sheila Jackson Lee, were just some of the few leaders who helped address the six-point agenda at the 2016 NAACP National Convention in Cincinnati.
The six-point agenda addresses the issues associated with education, criminal justice, health care, the environment, voting rights, and economic engagement. Throughout the four-day convention, panels and workshops were designed to discuss issues and solutions to the problems that the community faces.
NAACP Vice Chairman, Leon Russel, believes that there are many other prevalent issues in addition to the six-point agenda.
“We can’t forget that we live in some completely dangerous times in the international arena. We can’t forget that there is violence against our LGBT community. We can’t forget that there is violence perpetrated in the name of religion that reflects our community,” said Russel during a press conference.
To begin the discussion, on the first day of the conference there was a meeting held between the national president, Cornell William Brooks and the presidents of the youth, college and adult NAACP chapters. Their goal is to get state congress, local branches, college campuses, and young adult chapters across the country involved in tackling the issue of violence in America.
“I understand that people are concerned about there being way too many funerals because of police involved shootings. But I dare say that there are many more funerals in our communities because of violence perpetrated by members of our communities against members of our community,” said Russel.
In addition to addressing issues of violence, the convention also held the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics where 1100 to 1200 high school students competed for two days in areas such as science, humanities, business, and performing and visual arts.
“They have been here to show that we have skills that go beyond the courts and fields and the arenas,” said Russel.
Da’Quan Love, a lifetime NAACP member stated that there’s no other organization that provides a pipeline for young people.
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were asked to speak on July 19th; however due to a time conflict Trump was not available to attend.
Judge Nathaniel Jones from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit was awarded the Spingarn Medal for his outstanding achievement by an African American.
On July 17th women were recognized for their outstanding work with the NAACP organization. Also Roslyn Brock, the NAACP Chairman, gave the leadership prospective from the National Board of Directors in which she provided what she believed the association must take over the coming years.
“We must keep our eyes on the prize, and if we keep our eyes on the prize, we’ll take our souls to polls, and if we keep our eyes on the prizes and take our souls to the polls we will be an equitable society,” said Love.
Individuals who are interested in becoming a member can register online at www.cincinnatinaacp.com. For civil cases NAACP will help advocate and make sure that the case is heard; however, they do not provide lawyers. The NAACP represents all races and religions.
