Excitement continues to grow as the NAACP heads toward its 99th
Annual Convention, being held July 12-17 in Cincinnati, just months
ahead of its centennial celebration. Themed “Power, Justice, Freedom,
Vote,” this year’s annual gathering of more than 8,000 NAACP members,
delegates and visitors will be held at the Duke Energy Center and
kicks-off a series of events leading up to the association’s centennial
Feb. 12, 2009.

“This year’s convention is a culmination and celebration of all the
NAACP represents,” said National Board of Directors Vice Chair and
Convention Planning Committee Chair Roslyn M. Brock. “As we approach
the next century of social justice activism, we remain empowered and
committed to a progressive agenda that demands fairness and prosperity
for all. The convention’s offerings underscore the point that we all
must be engaged in that effort and that the NAACP has a place for
everyone and every lifestyle.”

As always, the convention offers participants access to a stellar
array of speakers, officials, entertainers and information. Among many
highlights, NAACPers and guests will hear from candidates seeking their
party’s nomination for the 2008 presidential election. Candidates from
each party will participate in separate functions the mornings of July
16 and 17.

On July 12, former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Marilyn Hughes
Gaston, local physician Dr. Pamela L. Redden and others will address
black women’s health and how it impacts the whole family during the
health symposium that morning as Dr. Nelson L. Adams, president of the
National Medical Association, keynotes the health advocacy luncheon at
midday.

Bishop E. Lynn Brown keynotes the Memorial Prayer Breakfast at 8
a.m. on July 13 while Women in the NAACP Empowerment Brunch attendees
that day will hear from IBM Vice President Marilyn D. Johnson and
author/journalist A’Leila Bundles and University of Virginia medical
professor Dr. Pamela A. Ross.

NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Julian Bond addresses the
convention at the first public mass meeting July 13 at 6 p.m. NAACP
President–elect Benjamin T. Jealous will also attend the convention.

There will be a screening of the NAACP Image Award-winning film “The
Great Debaters” on July 13 at 3 p.m., including dialogue with the
film’s co-star Nate Parker. The youth concert that night will feature
actor/comedian Kevin Hart with music by Day 26 and Cheri Dennis.

Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr. will keynote the Religious Leaders
Luncheon and Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, former NAACP General Counsel,
will speak at the Clarence Mitchell Memorial Luncheon, both at 12:30
p.m. on July 14. The NAACP Youth & College Division will host the
‘The Great Debate – What’s at Stake in ‘08’ that day at 6:30 p.m.
featuring high school and college level teams debating contemporary
issues and presidential political topics. The debates will be moderated
by CNN anchor T.J. Holmes.

NAACP Executive Director Emeritus Benjamin L. Hooks will be the
keynote speaker at the National Membership Luncheon being held July 15
at 1 p.m. The NAACP centennial celebration will officially be launched
at the ‘Journey to 100’ reception being held at the National
Underground Railroad Museum July 15 at 8 p.m.

“All roads lead to Cincinnati this summer and we are very excited
and honored to have the hosting duties,” said Cincinnati NAACP Branch
President Christopher Smitherman. “We are implementing a plan that
assuredly will lead to a successful and memorable 99th convention.”

U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican Party presidential
nominee, will keynote the July 16 plenary session prior to a panel
discussion marking the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.
AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker will keynote the
Labor Luncheon that day at 1 p.m.

July 16 evening highlights will feature the Gospel Extravaganza with
entertainment from Dottie Peoples, Donnie McClurkin and Dr. Bobby
Jones. The Youth Freedom Fund dinner will have music video producer Lil
X as its speaker. “The Express,” a film about the life of Ernie Davis,
the first African American Heisman trophy winner, will be screened at 8
p.m. with actors Charles S. Dutton and Rob Brown.

The convention draws to a close July 17 with the final session
featuring speakers U.S. Senator Barack Obama, as of this writing, both
Democratic Party presidential hopefuls. The closing banquet will
feature a highly acclaimed keynote speaker with entertainment from
R&B songstress Regina Belle. Participating in the program will be
internationally acclaimed opera soprano Angela Brown.

As part of the 39th Annual Commerce and Industry Show, the second
NAACP Authors’ Pavilion will showcase 40 of the best in literary
talent. Individual presentations and book signings are the heart of the
Authors’ Pavilion experience, which is designed to bring readers and
their favorite writers and poets together. Featured writers this year,
among others, include: Cincinnati native Sharon Draper, E. Lynn Harris,
Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant, Victoria Christopher Murray,
comedienne/actress Mo’Nique and TV chef G. Garvin. The Authors’
Pavilion opens July 12 at 2 p.m. and operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July 13-15. For more info, go to: www.naacpauthorspavilion.com [1].

Conventioneers and visitors are especially encouraged to take
advantage of the diverse array of resources provided at the Information
Exchange Center (IEC). The IEC is designed to create healthier,
wealthier more connected families and will feature exhibits from the
Enough Project, which focuses on the genocide in the Darfur region of
Sudan and other crimes against humanity, The Center for Responsible
Lending, the TransAfrica Forum and voter empowerment partners.

The 38th Annual Commerce & Industry, Health Fair and the NAACP
Retail Expo will open Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m. and conclude July 15
at 6 p.m. An accompanying job fair will be held July 15 and 16. The
commerce and industry expo represents a broad spectrum of organizations
from Fortune 500 companies, government and social service agencies to
minority-owned businesses and institutions of higher education.

As is customary, the convention will also offer registrants the
NAACP Continuing Legal Education seminars, as well as adult and youth
workshops offering tips and trends on the NAACP legislative
agenda/strategy, economic empowerment, juvenile justice, the assault on
affirmative action, health care, civic engagement, education, voting
rights and civil/human rights law. The Thalheimer Awards will also be
presented to NAACP branches, state conferences and publications that
have contributed the most to the Association’s mission during the
preceding year.

“We will be rolling out the red carpet to ensure that visitors have
a world class experience that they will not soon forget,” said
Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory. ”The 2008 NAACP Convention is also a
tremendous opportunity to engage the Cincinnati community in a greater
dialogue about where we are both as a community and as a nation and
where we need to go in the future. The world will be watching
Cincinnati this summer, and we are ready to take the stage.”

All registration for the convention takes place at Duke Energy
Center. On-site adult registration fee is $100. The youth registration
fee is $50. For registration times and additional information, go to www.naacp.org/events/convention/index.htm [2].

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil
rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the
world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities,
conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the
public and private sectors.

http://www.texasnaacp.org/?p=50  [3]