At NAN Convention, Political Contenders Speak Directly to Black Voters.

Action Alerts Volume 4, Issue 34 Friday, April 12, 2019         At NAN Convention, Political Contenders Speak Directly to Black Voters. Pertinent issues from reparations to voter suppression was discussed and debated at this year’s National Action Network convention. This year’s convention—which included most of the 2020 presidential candidates—was the go-to place to set the civil rights agenda for the next year. “The first debate of the Democratic presidential primary is still months away, but the candidates are getting closer to being on the same stage, if not yet at the same time.This week, it was at the annual convention in New York City for the National Action Network, a civil rights group founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton,” reportedTime magazine. “More than a dozen candidates spoke at the gathering, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders; former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper; former Reps. Beto O’Rourke and John Delaney; former HUD Secretary Julian Castro; South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; and businessman Andrew Yang. Potential contenders, including Rep. Eric Swalwell and former Georgia politician Stacey Abrams, also spoke. “Sharpton's convention has been a mainstay for politicians, presidential candidates and presidents alike. For many civil rights leaders snubbing the conference altogether is considered a major faux pas. In the nearly three decades since the founding of the non-profit civil rights group, celebrities, civil rights leaders, policymakers and would-be candidates mix, mingle and float ideas to see if they will gain support,” reported ABC News. To watch video and see photos from the conference click here. Reverend Sharpton Speaks at Morgan State University. Several hundred students, faculty and administrators at Morgan State University listened asReverend Al Sharpton was invited on Thursday to deliver a speech during the Distinguished Presidential Lecture series at the Historically Black College and University in Baltimore.  In his speech titled, “Civil Rights in the Age of Trump,” Reverend Sharpton encouraged the audience members to push for equity and to resist the temptation to become complacent. Watch his entire speech here. Reverend Sharpton Delivers Lecture at Shaw University Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a lecture this week at the 46th Annual Alexander/Pegues Minister’s Conference held at Shaw University Divinity School. The historic national gathering held in the Thomas J. Boyd Chapel on campus included some of the nation’s most recognized preachers including Dr. Otis Moss, III and Dr. Leslie Callahan.  Topics focused on Social Justice Engagement, the State of the Black Church, and there was a Celebration of the Life and Legacy of  the late Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. Quote of the Week: “The nation ought to help and rally around these three Black churches to make sure they are restored, where they were, in terms of their physical location and being able to continue to worship. So we must seek justice and restoration,” – Reverend Al Sharpton speaking about the arrest over a white male accused of setting fire to 3 Louisiana churches.